After 66 proposals, Chloe finally said yes. She specifically told me to dress formally, promising a big surprise. But when I showed up in my finest suit, there was no bride. Chloe turned to my stepbrother Leo beside her, a smirk playing on her lips. “Leo, you always say weddings are boring. Well, today I’m going to show you a fun one. How does that sound?” My sister Sarah, the officiant, announced loudly, “Wedding paused!” Then my childhood friend Ashley pulled the string on the water balloon they’d rigged above my head, drenching me from head to toe. Chloe flashed a mocking grin. “Julian, lighten up. It was just a joke. You didn’t really think I’d marry you, did you?” The whole wedding was a cruel prank, staged just to amuse my so-called depressed stepbrother. Seeing my silence, Chloe chuckled. “If you’re that desperate to get married, why not just pick someone from the crowd and tie the knot?” But when I walked back in, arm in arm with my real bride, they were the ones who panicked.
My sister Sarah finished reading the vows on stage, but the bride never appeared. A murmur swept through the guests below. My heart sank. This was another setup, designed to humiliate me. Just as I expected, Chloe casually twisted the ring in her hand and turned to Leo with a teasing smile. “You said wedding ceremonies are tedious, right? Just two people reciting vows and swapping rings. Boring.” “Well, today I’m showing you a one-person wedding. Entertaining enough for you?” Sarah immediately caught on, grabbing the microphone. “Wedding paused!” Ashley shouted, “Leo, watch this!” The water balloon above me dropped. Even though I tried to duck, it still caught me off guard. My hair was plastered to my forehead, water dripping from my soaked suit. I clutched my lapels, knuckles white. Only then did Leo let out a small laugh. Chloe walked over, feigning concern. “What’s wrong, Julian? Not happy?” She nudged Ashley. “That was a bit much, wasn’t it? Didn’t you think about Julian being the groom today?” Just when I thought she might show remorse, she handed me the wedding ring—still in its box, the one meant for my finger. “You wanted to get married, didn’t you? I’m making your wish come true. I even got you an officiant, a best man, and guests.” Meeting my icy stare, she sneered. “Why are you looking at me like that? You didn’t actually think I’d be your bride, did you? I’m just helping you out.” Then, in a sickly sweet tone, she added, “Keep the ring safe. Wouldn’t want your bride to have nothing to wear.” “Oh, wait. There is no bride.” “No way, there’s no bride!” Ashley chimed in, her voice dripping with sarcasm. “But look at Julian, all dressed up like he really believed it!” All eyes turned to my drenched formal wear. In the past, I would’ve swallowed my pride and begged Chloe not to embarrass me. This time, I just wiped the water from my face and said flatly, “Thanks for going through the motions. I was nervous earlier, but now I feel better. My real wedding will go smoother.” Chloe stared, then burst out laughing. “Are you stupid or just in denial? Still thinking I’d marry you?” “Can’t you see? This was all to cheer Leo up!” “A man this desperate for marriage is just pathetic.” Her mockery was now fully unveiled, and she didn’t care how much it hurt. Leo and the others laughed along, thoroughly amused. My heart felt twisted, squeezed by an invisible hand. I’d actually known about their plan for days. Chloe had called me earlier that week. “Julian, you want to get married, right? I’ll see you at the venue you picked.” Against my better judgment, my heart leapt. She knew I’d always wanted to get married. After Mom died, it was just Grandma and me. Now Grandma was sick, and her only wish was to see me married and happy. I’d booked the venue months ago, begging Chloe countless times. Even a fake wedding would’ve been enough to give Grandma peace. Her call had thrown me into confusion. I went to talk to Sarah, but instead overheard them in her study, excitedly planning the prank. Chloe laughed. “I just told Julian to get ready for the wedding. He actually thinks I’m going through with it! Isn’t he naive?” Sarah replied, “He has no idea. The shock will be perfect. Leo will love seeing him humiliated.” Ashley jumped in. “Let’s swap the glitter for water balloons. He’ll look like a drowned rat!” “Just don’t let Leo find out beforehand, or it won’t be as fun.” They sounded so pleased with themselves. I stood frozen at the door. The wedding I’d dreamed of was just a cruel joke to entertain Leo. The three people who once went to multiple stores to buy my favorite cake were gone. When had they changed so much? There was a time when Sarah, Chloe, and Ashley cared for me the most. But ever since Leo came into our lives, everything shifted. His “depression” was severe. So severe that just seeing me would “trigger” him. Each time, he’d beg Sarah and the others to stay. At first, they brushed it off, thinking he was faking. Gradually, their attention moved from me to Leo. This was Chloe, the woman I’d loved for seven years, and Sarah and Ashley, who’d been with me since childhood. Now they were willing to turn my wedding into a punchline, all for one of Leo’s smiles. Making Leo happy became their only goal. Even at my expense. They handled Leo with kid gloves, yet trampled over me without a second thought. A dull ache settled in my chest. Today, I was getting married. Just not to Chloe.
I ran a hand through my hair, trying to look composed. Raising the microphone, I announced, “Just a small hiccup, everyone. Please bear with us a little longer.” Then I gestured to my soaked jacket. “I’ll go change. Wouldn’t want my wife to see me like this.” Good thing I’d had a premonition and hadn’t worn my favorite suit. Chloe stared at me like I’d lost my mind. “Julian, you’re not actually delusional, are you? I told you—this was a prank! There’s no bride!” Sarah mocked, “Even if you’re embarrassed, there’s no need to lie! If anyone wanted you, wouldn’t I know?” The crowd chuckled. My relentless pursuit of Chloe was no secret. Ashley pretended to ponder. “Maybe he’s trying to make Chloe jealous? How pathetic.” Leo gently shushed them, then turned to me with fake sympathy. “Julian, this was their idea to cheer me up. I’m touched you played along.” “I know you like Chloe, but love has to be mutual…” “A man needs dignity. Mom and Dad are here, and so are the guests. Don’t drag this out.” His soft voice made me sound like the disgrace. I glanced down and saw Mr. Harrison’s furious face as he tried to calm the guests. I took a deep breath. “Today is my wedding. My bride is on her way.” I pulled out my phone and called the first contact. … It rang and rang, then went to voicemail. I tried several times. No answer. My heart sank. After all, we’d only met once. Chloe watched, enjoying the show. “Julian, I knew you were obsessive, but I didn’t know you were this good at lying to yourself.” Sarah scoffed, “Just give up. It’s pathetic.” Leo looked at me, then turned to Chloe with fake concern. “Chloe, maybe you should just pretend to marry him. He looks miserable.” Chloe refused instantly. “I only did this for you, Leo. I’d never marry Julian.” She even took a step back, as if to draw a clear line between us. Leo then glanced at Ashley. She was quicker to refuse. “No way! I’m not doing something that humiliating!” Watching them eagerly reject me to prove their loyalty to Leo, I suddenly remembered our senior prom. They’d both fought to be my date. They’d competed to surprise me, just to win my attention. My heart had long gone numb. I couldn’t stand Leo’s fake sincerity. “Don’t worry,” I said coldly. “I wouldn’t marry either of you. I want nothing to do with you.” “My bride is someone else.” Mr. Harrison finally snapped. He stormed up, yelling, “Julian! What is this charade? Are you trying to disgrace me?” “Can’t you be more like Leo? Do you have to prove to everyone that you’re a loser who can’t get a wife?!” I stood there, humiliated, but all he cared about was his reputation. Grandma, though, took my hand and stood firmly beside me. “My Julian doesn’t lie! Please, everyone, wait a little longer.” Just then, my phone rang. I answered. A woman’s voice, urgent yet calming, came through. “I’m so sorry, hubby. The traffic was insane, but I’m on my way.”
I told her to drive safely. Ashley stared mockingly. “Wow, committed to the bit, aren’t you? Did you hire an actress?” “Julian, you’ll do anything to save face.” “If you’re that desperate, why not just pick a woman from the audience?” Chloe, feigning kindness, grabbed a microphone. “Julian’s looking for a wife, right here, right now!” “Any single ladies? If you hit it off, you can get married on the spot!” “Anyone? Julian’s devoted—he’s been chasing me for years!” … The guests buzzed, some pulling out phones to record. My face burned with shame. Yes, I’d pursued her for years, but she’d always led me on with vague promises. Again and again, she’d stomped on my heart. A draft swept through the hall. I felt cold, deep in my bones. Someone in the crowd actually volunteered. Chloe led a woman onto the stage—someone in her late forties, who looked older than my father’s date. She grinned, a malicious gleam in her eyes. “Mr. Harrison, you’re quite the catch.” Ashley and Sarah pushed me toward her. I was too disgusted to speak. Sarah saw my reluctance and scoffed, “Isn’t this faster than hiring an actress? Just get it over with and stop embarrassing the family!” Leo added, “Julian, stop making a scene. We ‘carefully selected’ her for you. What more do you want?” I glared at these hypocrites, fists clenched. “My wedding is not your decision!” Then I remembered. I’d filed the paperwork yesterday. Our marriage certificate was in my briefcase. I strode over, grabbed my bag, pulled out the document, and slapped it open in front of them. “This is my marriage certificate. I told you—my wife is on her way.” Sarah stared, then burst into hysterical laughter. “Julian, you’re really committed!” “Do you even know who that is? You Photoshopped her picture and called her your wife?” Chloe took a look, and the whole room snickered. “Which fake certificate maker did you use? That’s Victoria, CEO of Everbright Group! I tried to meet her for a deal yesterday!” “Her assistant said she just got married and was busy with her husband!” “And you claim she’s your wife? That’s ridiculous.” I remembered yesterday. That woman had spent the whole day with me, suit shopping. Her phone kept ringing, but she insisted on staying until we were done. Leo looked at me with pity. “Julian, unrequited love isn’t your fault. But making up stories just makes you look like a clown.” Mr. Harrison finally lost it. He grabbed my arm and tried to drag me offstage. “Enough! Haven’t you embarrassed us enough?” But Chloe held my wrist, stopping me. “Didn’t you say she was almost here?” “Aren’t you going to introduce us to this legendary bride? Or was this all for nothing?” Sarah and Ashley held me back, and in the struggle, I nearly tumbled down the steps. Just as I thought I’d hit rock bottom, a woman steadied me. A clean, gentle scent enveloped me. “I’m sorry, hubby. I’m late.”
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