When He Delayed Our Wedding, I Called Another Groom

Chapter 1

There were 15 minutes left before the officiant announced the start of the ceremony.

At last, Julian Hayes and I stood behind the doors, waiting to make our entrance.

The bridesmaid hurried us along. "Get ready. After being postponed three times, this wedding is finally happening!"

With red-rimmed eyes, the makeup artist adjusted my veil one last time.

Just as I was about to walk in, Julian's childhood friend, Stella Monroe, called out from behind.

"Wait. The rosary from the church broke. I need to tie it again."

I stopped while Julian turned around. "All right. There's no rush."

As Stella retied the knot, she smiled at me.

"Don't worry, Willa. I'll be done in a second. I went all the way to the church to pray and got this. It's meant to bless you two with a lifetime together."

Then she handed the bouquet to Julian. "Hold this for me."

Julian took it.

The relatives and friends who had been teasing us moments before fell silent, their expressions shifting.

I looked at him. "Julian, the ceremony is about to begin."

Julian frowned. "Everyone's already here. Wait a few more minutes won't hurt."

I watched him stand there in the custom suit I had chosen, waiting for Stella to retie the rosary. Then I smiled.

Lowering my gaze, I pulled out my phone and sent a text.

Willa: Didn't you say if he wasn't the groom, I should give you a chance? Come to the ballroom with a ring before noon.

A moment later, the person agreed.

It was 11:46 a.m. already.

There were only 14 minutes left.

The bridesmaid panicked and grabbed my wrist.

"Willa, we can't wait any longer. Have you forgotten last time? You stood in your wedding shoes from dawn until noon. Your heels were rubbed raw and covered in blisters. Then, when the time had passed, Julian simply said to reschedule it.

"You limped back to the dressing room, and even the makeup artist cried when she saw you.

"A wedding isn't just walking onto the stage. There's the walk down the aisle, the ring exchange, the vows—it all takes time.

"If we don't go in now, today will be another wasted wait."

The groomsmen and other guests joined in.

"Julian, go in first. Stella can fix the rosary later. Nothing is more important than the wedding."

The venue manager poked his head out from behind the doors, sweat beading at his temples.

"Mr. Hayes, please hurry. The band is ready. It's all set."

The wedding coordinator stood at the entrance, looking grim.

Lowering his voice, he said, "The band will begin playing at exactly noon. If the groom isn't in position when the music starts, the ceremony can't continue."

After a brief pause, he added, "I've been coordinating weddings for 15 years. This is the first time I've seen a groom make his bride wait at the door for another woman."

Everyone looked at Julian.

But he remained at Stella's side, still holding her bouquet.

Stella slowly fussed with the loosened red string, her voice gentle.

"Julian, I can't hold this end down. Give me a hand."

Julian reached out with his free hand and held one end of the rosary.

I looked at my groom.

His one hand held the bouquet that should have been mine.

The other held the end of the rosary.

I laughed in anger.

"Julian, are you going in or not? It's noon."

A flicker of guilt crossed his face, but his tone remained unhurried.

"Willa, don't worry. I know what I'm doing. I won't delay anything."

He wouldn't delay anything?

But this was already the fourth time Julian and I had tried to hold our wedding.

Every time, Stella showed up with some emergency.

And every time, Julian postponed our wedding.

Another minute passed.

It was now 11:48.

The bridesmaid tightened her grip on my wrist.

"Willa, there are only 12 minutes left. We really can't wait any longer."

I nodded.

Then I looked at Julian.

"Julian, come in with me. Now."

Julian finally looked up, but there was impatience in his eyes.

"Can you stop rushing me?

"I already told you nothing will be delayed. Can't you wait a few minutes?

"Stella is fixing the rosary for the sake of our marriage. Can't you be more understanding?"

Stella chimed in as well.

"That's right, Willa. I got this rosary from the church. It can bless you two with a long and happy marriage.

"It suddenly broke just now—what if your marriage doesn't go smoothly later because we didn't fix it? I'm only doing this for your sake."

Her tone was utterly sincere.

As if she truly were doing me a favor.

Julian sighed and looked at me.

"Willa, stop making a scene."

Me? Making a scene?

I couldn't help laughing at that.

In his eyes, Stella making everyone wait while she fixed the rosary wasn't making a scene.

But me urging him to start our own wedding was.

It was now 11:49.

Inside the ballroom, the band had finished its final preparations, and the lights slowly dimmed.

I closed my eyes and took a deep breath.

Then I looked at Julian and said, word by word, "Julian, I have to be married before noon today."