The PROXY Groom

CHAPTER VIII: Confessions and Acceptance

The applause from the ceremony still echoed faintly in the church as Maxine and Roman descended from the altar. Guests whispered among themselves, many still caught in disbelief over the groom’s identity. But the moment Maxine had been dreading approached—facing her parents.

Her mother’s eyes were sharp, worried, and tinged with anger. Her father’s brow was furrowed, hands clenched at his sides. Both were silent for a heartbeat, their gazes traveling between Maxine and Roman.

Maxine took a deep breath, steadying herself. The weight of yesterday’s heartbreak and today’s absurdity pressed down on her chest, but she forced calm into her voice.

“Mom, Dad… I need to explain,” she began, her hands gripping the bouquet tightly.

Her mother crossed her arms, clearly bracing herself. “Go on,” she said, tone controlled but icy. “We’ve been worried sick.”

Maxine’s voice wavered, but she continued. “Yesterday… my groom… he left. Before the wedding, he—he ran away. He left a letter saying… that I was an obstacle in his life, that he couldn’t… he couldn’t do this. Seven years… gone in a single night.”

Her father’s jaw tightened, his hands clenching. Her mother’s eyes narrowed, her lips pressing together in disapproval and worry.

“I… I didn’t know what to do,” Maxine said quickly, tears threatening to spill again. “I couldn’t call off everything, I couldn’t face the shame of leaving the ceremony empty-handed. I… I needed to save face. And the promotion… I worked so hard for it, and if I didn’t marry today, everything would be ruined.”

Her mother’s chest rose and fell sharply. “Maxine…” she whispered, a mix of anger and sympathy in her voice. “You… you went through all this, and now you’ve decided—”

“I married Roman,” Maxine interrupted, barely above a whisper. “I… I know it’s unexpected, and I know you don’t know him well, but he was willing to step in, to save me from completely falling apart. I didn’t want to be broken… not today.”

Her mother’s hands trembled slightly, gripping her sides. “Marrying… him? Just like that? Without knowing him?”

Maxine’s eyes flicked to Roman. He stood beside her, calm, composed, his hands folded in front of him. There was no arrogance, no amusement—just a quiet steadiness that seemed to anchor her.

“He… he helped me,” Maxine continued. “He didn’t have to, and yet… he did. I didn’t want to be left alone. I—” her voice cracked, “I didn’t know what else to do.”

Her mother’s gaze softened, though the anger didn’t fully fade. “You’ve been heartbroken, haven’t you?” she asked quietly, almost to herself. “We can see it. And you… you needed someone, even if it’s… unexpected.”

Maxine nodded quickly, tears welling but restrained. “Yes. I was devastated. And he—Roman—he stepped in. He saved this… this wedding from collapsing completely.”

Her father’s eyes swept to Roman, assessing him carefully. Roman met the gaze calmly, with no hesitation, no defensiveness. He didn’t speak immediately, allowing Maxine to explain her side first.

Her mother’s voice rose slightly, tinged with warning. “Roman Estillore… you understand what this means, right? You’ve married our daughter. You are now responsible for her. You cannot make her cry. You cannot take advantage of this situation. She has already suffered enough!”

Roman inclined his head slowly, meeting her gaze with sincerity. “I understand,” he said evenly, his tone steady but firm. “I will take full responsibility. I won’t hurt her.”

Her father’s expression softened slightly, though caution remained. “You don’t know him well, Maxine… and yet you trusted him enough to let this happen?”

Maxine swallowed hard, nodding. “I… I didn’t have a choice. But I trust him. And… I think he’ll protect me. Even if we don’t know each other well yet… he stepped up when I needed him the most.”

Her mother’s lips pressed into a thin line, then she let out a slow sigh. “Then… since the marriage has already happened, we accept him,” she said carefully, a mixture of resignation and concern in her tone. “But know this: he must take care of you. He must protect you. And if he ever hurts you…”

“We will hold him accountable,” her father added firmly.

Roman’s expression didn’t change. His posture remained calm, his voice measured. “Understood. I will not let her suffer. I will take responsibility for our marriage, fully and completely.”

Maxine felt a small weight lift from her shoulders. For the first time that day, she allowed herself to breathe, even slightly. Her parents were wary, yes—but they trusted Roman enough to accept this unusual circumstance. And Roman… Roman was standing quietly, calmly, as if he had already planned every step of this unlikely scenario.

Her mother finally stepped forward, placing a hand gently on Maxine’s shoulder. “Just… take care of each other,” she said softly, her voice carrying the weight of both warning and hope.

Maxine looked at Roman, who gave a faint, reassuring smile, just enough to convey that he would keep his promise. She felt a strange combination of relief, gratitude, and lingering disbelief at the absurdity of the day.

For now, the crisis was contained. The wedding had happened. The parents had been informed. And the unusual arrangement that had begun with heartbreak and desperation had found a fragile—but functioning—balance.

Maxine’s father clapped a hand lightly on Roman’s shoulder. “Remember,” he said firmly, “this marriage is your responsibility as much as hers. No excuses. You must honor it.”

Roman inclined his head once more. “I understand. Completely.”

Maxine exhaled, finally letting a small, exhausted smile touch her lips. Today had been chaotic. Painful. Ridiculous. But against all odds, she had survived. And now… at least for today, she had someone by her side to face the world with her.

Her parents exchanged one last glance, worry lingering but acceptance settling in. Roman had stepped in at the right moment, a calm anchor in the storm. And though Maxine still faced the aftermath of heartbreak and betrayal, for the first time since the groom had run away, she didn’t feel entirely alone.

And Roman… quietly, almost imperceptibly, had begun to weave himself into her life—not as a rival, not as a co-worker, but as a partner in this unexpected, unplanned marriage.

The weight of responsibility, the strange unspoken understanding between them, and the uncertainty of the future hung in the air—but for now, they stood together, facing the world, together in name and circumstance.