When He Delayed Our Wedding, I Called Another Groom

Chapter 3

My mother called, her voice full of joy and excitement.

"Willa, have you gone in yet?

"Your grandfather made an exception today and drank half a glass of wine. He said he wanted to see his granddaughter get married. You know he has high blood pressure and never drinks.

"Your aunt took a 6-hour bus ride from back home, and she has a gift ready to give you in person.

"We've put wedding decorations all over the house. We're all waiting to see you walk down the aisle."

At her words, it felt as though something had lodged in my throat.

I couldn't say a word.

The bridesmaid, her eyes red, couldn't hold back any longer.

"We haven't gone in yet. Julian's friend's rosary broke. He's helping her retie it. He says we can't enter until it's fixed."

The line went silent.

3 full seconds passed before my father spoke, barely containing his anger,

"Is Julian there?"

Julian frowned, but he still took the phone.

"I'm here."

My father's voice was low and heavy.

"Julian, you and Willa have been together for 7 years. This wedding has already been postponed 3 times.

"She waited for you until she was 27 and gave you the best years of her life.

"You said again and again that you would get married, only to delay it again and again because of someone else. Do you really think that's fair?"

My mother tried to reason with him too.

"Julian, do you know how long Willa has prepared for today?

"She designed and made that wedding dress herself, after spending three months on the sketches.

"She wrote every wedding invitation by hand. Even the dried flowers on them were picked by her in the mountains."

By the end, my mother's voice was trembling.

"This is the fourth time! Can't you enter with Willa first? What rosary can't be tied after the ceremony?"

Julian was speechless for a moment.

But Stella moved closer to the phone, crying as she spoke.

"You can't say that. I went to Havenridge Church to get this rosary. I knelt until my knees were bruised purple, all so Julian and Willa's marriage could be blessed.

"It would be unlucky to leave it broken. I'm fixing it already, and I'll be done soon. I won't delay them.

"I'm sorry—I only wanted to wish them well. I never expected this to happen..."

Her voice was soft and aggrieved, as though everyone else were bullying her.

Julian immediately frowned.

"Stella, don't say that."

Then he spoke into the phone, his tone turning colder.

"I know you're worried, but Stella means well. She knelt for three days for this. I can't just leave her to deal with it alone."

My father's voice changed with anger.

"Then what about Willa? Is she supposed to keep waiting for you?"

Julian was silent for a while.

Then he promised, "I'll take Willa in. If we can't make it this time, we'll reschedule. Don't worry. I will marry her."

Reschedule.

Over the past seven years, I had lost count of how many times I had heard that word.

I took a deep breath.

Taking the phone, I spoke softly into it,

"Mom, Dad, don't worry. I'll complete the wedding today."

Then I hung up.

Julian stared at me, his brow drawn tight.

"Willa, do you have to force me like this?"

I looked up at him, calm.

So he knew if he kept delaying us, the time would pass.

He knew my parents were waiting. He knew my grandfather had made an exception today.

He also knew how humiliating it had been for me to be left behind, time and again.

But he still chose to make me wait.

I looked at him and asked, "Force you? Do you really think I'm forcing you to marry me?"