Wedding Day, His First Love Wanted Him For One Day

"Nora, ten years ago you were cornered in an alley and r***d by a group of men. Ethan only stayed with you out of pity. He didn't even look down on you, so letting me borrow him for a day isn't asking too much." The guests in the wedding dressing room were stunned. Sophie covered her mouth in embarrassment and looked at Ethan. "Ethan, did I say something wrong? I'm just so happy for Nora." Ethan was silent for two seconds. "Sophie, you shouldn't have brought that up today of all days. Apologize!" The best men whispered among themselves, "Ethan, you already agreed to marry her to make up for what happened. Otherwise, you and Sophie would have made such a great couple!" I stood frozen, my teeth biting into my lip until blood seeped through. "I'm so sorry, it's all my fault," Sophie apologized through tears. Years of pent-up grievance and coldness instantly shattered my reason. I rushed forward and slapped her hard across the face. Ethan blocked Sophie. "Why are you so angry? Sophie, don't cry. I'll stay with you all day today." So the love I thought was real was nothing but his compensation to me. Now that he'd compensated enough, it was time for me to bow out. ***** Ethan frowned when I didn't move. "Come on, Nora. It's just a ceremony. We're already married." He turned back to Sophie with a soft smile. "She's been waiting for ages. She must be hungry." They sat pressed against each other while I stood there wondering what any of it had been for. I'd chosen the venue, planned the menu, and designed the invitations. I'd taken care of every detail. Even my dress had been sewn by my mother, stitch by stitch, from her hospital bed. She'd worked on it for years. Yesterday, she'd finally handed it to me, then held my hand in hers. "I'm too weak to get out of this bed, sweetheart. But wear this tomorrow and take plenty of pictures for me. That'll be enough." I'd promised her I would, blinking back tears. After everything Ethan and I had been through, I wanted that wedding. I wanted Mom to see me happy. I'd waited 3 years for it and spent a year planning it. Now, because Sophie had made her daily request, my groom was playing boyfriend to someone else. His friend was still holding out the ring. I almost laughed at the absurdity of it and pushed his hand aside. "Give it to your girlfriend, Ethan." I turned to leave, but his friend called after me. "Used goods, and she's acting like an innocent bride. If it weren't for Ethan, I wouldn't go anywhere near her." Laughter broke out.  My heart felt like it was being wrung into a knot, bleeding drop by drop. Before I could even react, Ethan knocked the man who'd mocked me to the ground with a single punch. His eyes darkened, cold and sharp, "She is my wife. You shouldn't say things like that to her." His friend retreated, red-faced. Ethan took the ring back and reached for my hand. "Let's get this on you and skip the rest. I'm Sophie's boyfriend today. I can't be all over you." He tugged at my hand. "Don't make a scene, Nora. I'll make it up to you tomorrow." The ring wouldn't fit. He shoved it harder, scraping my skin until blood welled up around the band. Of everything that had gone into this wedding, the ring was his only job. He hadn't even gotten the size right. "Have you put on weight? Why won't it fit?" I gritted my teeth and pulled free. "Forget it. If it doesn't fit, forcing it only hurts." He stared at the ring, struggling for an explanation. Before he could give me one, Sophie came up and slipped her arm through his. "Don't you remember? I was your girlfriend for the day when you ordered it. You used my size." She took the ring and slid it onto her finger. It fit perfectly. She held her hand up to the light. "You said I could ask for a wedding next time. Just for a day. Why don't we do it now?" Ethan hesitated, then smiled. "Why not? Everything's here. I can finally keep that promise I made you in high school." He turned to me. "We'll have our wedding another day, Nora. If I'm going to be her boyfriend, I should do it properly." I gave a hollow laugh. "What about us?" "We have the rest of our lives." He didn't hesitate. He pushed me off the stage, then caught my hand again, and looked me up and down. "This is a little last-minute. I don't want Sophie to miss out. Let her wear your dress for the day." "Mom made this for me, Ethan. You know she did." "It's a dress. Why do you have to be so petty?" "You can have the wedding, but not the dress." He looked taken aback. Then his expression hardened. Sophie leaned in close to me and lowered her voice, "Don't decide so fast. Take a look at this photo first, then make your decision."