Chapter 3
1486 Words
RUBY
Ruby stood up abruptly.
“What are you talking about? What do you mean she's missing? What happened to her?” she yelled.
Margie got into the situation. “Just focus on your wedding, Ruby. You will soon be called in.”
“How am I supposed to focus when Lily is missing? We were together until minutes ago. She only got permission to pick a call outside,” Ruby said throatily.
“It's not like she is being kidn*pped. She's not a baby. I'm sure she will be back,” Margie said apathetically.
“You are sure that she will be back? Can you listen to yourself?”
The door made its way and Mr. Thompson came in dressed in a suit with a sly smile. The smile soon vanished at the sight of the tense atmosphere.
Everywhere became awkwardly silent. He stood by the door looking all confused.
"What is going on here? Why is the atmosphere so intense and awkward?" he asked, his expression searching for answers.
“It's nothing you should concern yourself about. We have dealt with the situation. You can now walk your daughter down the aisle”. Margie said, forcing a smile.
Mr. Thompson faced Ruby. "You look so beautiful in your wedding dress, my daughter." He said, smiling widely.
“The same daughter you sacrificed?” Ruby scoffed.
" Does he even qualify as a father? Can't he just admit he's happy for the company and not me? After all, I'm the one sacrificing my whole life for him. I'm the one getting married to save him from going bankrupt. "
Ruby wished she could blurt out those thoughts.
A loud applause was heard indicating the time for the entrance of father and daughter.
Mr Thompson stretched his hand towards Ruby. She hesitated, unsure of what would unfold if she decided to take his hands.
She slowly gave in, and they walked towards the hall.
Many thoughts ran through her mind as she walked down the aisle with her father. How nice would it have been if it was her birth father walking her down the aisle with the love of her life. It would have been the happiest day of her life.
And Lily? Where on earth could she be? She looked around to check if she was already in the hall, but couldn't find her.
She managed to force a smile when she saw that people were already noticing her absent-mindedness.
A loud cheer was made as Mr. Thompson handed her hand over to Stanley.
The call for objections came right after.
“If there’s anyone here who objects to this wedding today, please speak now or forever hold your peace.” There was absolute silence across the hall.
“I object to this marriage,” a female voice was heard from behind the hall.
Everyone looked back in shock. It wasn't expected that anyone would be bold enough to object to such an influential marriage.
The hall was filled with murmurs, everyone curious about whom the person was and the reasons for their objections.
Ruby began to tremble. She began to lose her vision as cameras were flashing from different angles of the hall. She became weak and almost lost her breath.
Stanley held her hand tightly, assuring her it would be okay.
The couple-to-be had no choice at that moment than to lean on each other, ignoring their hatred for the marriage.
“Can you come forward to state the reasons for your objections to this marriage?” the officiant asked.
A young lady, walking confidently, approached the stage. She looked smart and efficient. The hall was dead silent. The sound of her pointed heels could be heard as she came closer to the stage.
“Lily?” Ruby shouted.
“What are you doing here?” She asked while trying to comprehend the situation.
"What do you think? I'm objecting to this marriage as you can see, Ruby."
Ruby staggered, she was unable to stand. Stanley helped her to stand on her feet. He looked dazed upon recognizing Lily.
Ruby looked at both Lily and Stanley inquiringly.
Lily gave her a sly look as she grabbed the microphone.
"The reason I, Lily, am objecting to this marriage is because this groom-to-be is MY MAN, and no one can take him away from me, not even you, Ruby."
Stanley swallowed hard. He looked at his father, who was already fuming with anger and disappointment.
“Wha.. What do you mean I'm your man? Stanley stuttered. Do you know the consequences of this false accusation?”
"False accusation? I aborted two pregnancies for you, Stanley."
The hall started getting chaotic upon the confession. Many of the guests already began to whisper among themselves. They were whispering loud enough to hear their slanders.
Ruby stood speechless. Her face was drenched with tears. Her heart felt stiff. She felt the urge to injure herself since that was the only way she could handle pain.
“I suffered complications after those abortions, and you are here happily getting married, and you think I will let that happen?”
Margie couldn't take it anymore. She stood up in a rage.
“Hold it there, Lily. On what grounds are these accusations?” she asked.
“On what grounds? I will show you evidence if that is what you want,” Lily said confidently.
"You have evidence?" Margie asked in shock, regretting ever asking her to provide proof. She didn't think Lily was that serious. She had thought she was just bluffing out of jealousy for Ruby.
Lily scoffed, feeling anger, offended and belittled. "You all must take me for a joke."
“I will show you all today, to whom this man really belongs.”
She rummaged through her bag and brought out pictures of her and Stanley in a hotel room.
She raised the pictures up for everyone to see: “I took these pictures on February 16th and May 6th, which were six months and three months ago respectively, at Buzz hotel.”
“That is not all. This is also a picture of us entering the hotel from the CCTV footage of the hotel. You all should ask Stanley if he was or wasn't in the hotel on those days”.
The crowd started questioning Stanley. It would be troublesome if he didn't give an answer.
Ye... Yes, I... I was at the hotel with her on those days. Stanley stuttered, feeling ashamed.
Ruby felt disappointed. She mopped her tears-drenched face, trying to compose herself. She wondered why she felt cheated on when she never wanted the marriage. Could it be because she had loved Stanley from afar when she was in high school? Or is it Lily's sudden change in attitude and betrayal?
She didn't seem to find answers to those questions.
Margie had vowed to make the wedding work no matter the cost. After all, that's the family’s lifeline. She wasn't ready to stop her lavish lifestyle and embezzlement of the company’s funds, which almost ruined the family.
She turned to Stanley. "Did you guys get intimate at the hotel?" she asked.
Stanley was hesitant. He didn't know what damage would be caused if he answered the question.
“Speak!!” Margie shouted.
“We were indeed intimate, but I swear, it was just twice,” Stanley stated.
"I got pregnant those two times, Stanley, and I aborted it for you, thinking you were not rea…"
"Did you ever inform me you were pregnant, Lily?" Stanley shouted in rage, ready to defend himself. He wouldn't want to lose his father's trust.
“You all, I wasn't aware this lady was pregnant, and she hasn't shown any proof that she was actually pregnant. How are we supposed to believe you?”
“It seems you people like proof so much. I will show you proof, Stanley.”
She brought out the doctor's report of her pregnancies and abortions, and also the drugs for the complications she suffered after the abortion.
“See for yourself,” she said, raising the papers up for everyone to see.
“How do we know these results aren't fake?” Stanley questioned. He stood his ground and refused vehemently to believe Lily.
“Where did you go when everyone was looking for you this morning, Lily?” Margie asked, already suspecting Lily's foul play.
"I just went to see my dad. He needed my attention at home," Lily answered.
“You liar”. Margie laughed scornfully.
"We called your dad this morning, and he said you weren't home, Lily."
The entrance door opened, and a man was dragged in by the security guards on Mr Thompson’s command. He was putting on a lab coat, one can tell that he's a doctor.
Lily hid her face as soon as she saw the doctor.
She has been caught.
- Writer
