He shook his head, grinning. “Can you believe how stupid she is?”
Peter smirked. “She has no idea. The best part will be catching her off guard. It’s only fun if she makes a fool of herself. That’s what Esther will really enjoy.”
My breath hitched.
Even Peter… my own half-brother. When had he started siding with her?
Tyler chuckled. “How about we swap the confetti above her with water balloons? She’ll be standing there in her pretty little wedding dress, looking like a drowned rat.”
“Just make sure Esther doesn’t find out beforehand,” he added, grinning. “Wouldn’t be fun if she expected it.”
The three of them—Arnold, Peter, Tyler—looked giddy at the idea, like kids scheming the ultimate prank.
I stood frozen outside the door, gripping the fabric of my dress so tightly my knuckles turned white.
The wedding I had spent months planning, the one I had dreamed about, was nothing more than a joke to them—a twisted little show to entertain Esther.
These were the same people who once drove across town just to get me my favorite cake when I was upset.
When had everything changed?
Peter, Arnold, Tyler—three people I had always believed would protect me. But ever since Esther came into the family, everything had shifted.
Her depression was severe.
So severe that just seeing me made it worse. Every time she had an episode, she would beg them to stay with her.
At first, they brushed it off, thought she was being dramatic.
But little by little, their entire world started revolving around her.
Arnold—the man I had loved for seven years.
Peter and Tyler—the people who had always stood by my side.
Now, they were willing to turn my wedding into a joke just to make her smile.
Making Esther happy had become their priority—even if it meant humiliating me in front of a crowd.
They walked on eggshells around her but had no problem tearing me down for fun.
A dull, numbing ache spread through my chest.
But I refused to let it consume me.
I was getting married today.
Just not to Arnold.
I straightened, ran my fingers through my damp hair, and lifted the microphone.
I smiled. “Sorry about that little… intermission. We’ll resume shortly.”
Then, glancing down at my soaked gown, I added smoothly, “I’ll need to change into another dress—otherwise, I won’t have time before my husband arrives.”
Gasps rippled through the crowd.
Arnold’s smirk faltered.
He stared at me like I had completely lost it. “Sara, are you seriously losing your mind because I’m not marrying you?”
He scoffed. “I already told you—this whole thing was a setup. There is no groom.”
Peter snickered. “Sara, if you’re embarrassed, just admit it. No need to make up stories.”
He crossed his arms, shaking his head in mock sympathy. “And as your brother, I think I’d know if there was actually someone willing to marry you.”
Laughter erupted from the guests.
For years, everyone had known I had been chasing Arnold.
Tyler pretended to think for a moment before snapping his fingers. “Ohhh, I get it! You’re trying to make Arnold jealous, huh?” He let out a low chuckle. “Come on, Sara, that’s pathetic. You don’t find this embarrassing?”
Then, as if on cue, Esther spoke—her voice soft, almost understanding.
“Sara,” she said gently, stepping forward, “I know you’ve liked Arnold for a long time, but love is a two-way street… You can’t force it.”
She looked at me with a pitying smile.
“This whole thing was just their way of cheering me up,” she continued. “I’m really touched that you were willing to play along for my sake.”
She sighed, shaking her head slightly. “But a girl should have some self-respect. Mom and Dad are here. So many guests are watching. Let’s not drag this out any longer.”
Self-respect.
As if I was the one embarrassing myself.
I glanced at my father in the audience. His expression was dark, frustration etched into every line of his face as he tried to smooth things over with the guests.
I inhaled deeply, then exhaled, steadying myself.
With a calm, deliberate voice, I repeated, “This is my real wedding. And my groom is on his way.”
Then, without breaking eye contact with Arnold, I pulled out my phone.
And dialed the first contact on my list.
