A Mask at the Wedding

Howard's mom, Noelle Collins, snapped out of it first. She ran up to the stage, not caring how she looked: "What... what's happening! Who are you?"

Howard's dad, Andrew Larson, was pale with anger. He shouted at the noisy crowd of guests and reporters:

"Everyone, be quiet! The wedding hit a little snag, but we'll fix it in no time!"

Wow, what a scene.

In my previous life, I was the one panicking on stage, but then it was Howard's parents.

My own mom stood up, shocked, and looked at me worriedly. "Darcy, what's going on?"

I turned and gave my parents a calming look.

In front of everyone's surprised faces, I took Elias's hand. "Thanks for coming to our wedding today. We had a little mix-up with the wedding poster and the rings."

I stopped for a second, then said: "However, it's no big deal, the wedding will go on."

Elias, next to me, stood up straight and proud, like he was claiming his place.

Noelle was shaking with anger as she looked at me. "Darcy, are you crazy! Do you know what you're doing?"

Andrew rushed over too, whispering to me: "Darcy, don't be silly! Stop the wedding now!"

I did not listen to them and passed the microphone to the person next to me.

"Elias, tell everyone why you're here."

Elias and I exchanged smiles, his voice calm and clear.

"Today, I'm standing here because Howard gave me fifteen thousand dollars to pretend to be him at this wedding. "

The moment he said that everyone gasped in shock.

"What? Someone paid to have another person get married for them?"

"Wow, has Howard lost his mind?"

Andrew and Noelle turned pale as ghosts when their secret was out.

My dad was furious. He pointed right at Andrew's nose and yelled: "The Larsons! Howard! You think my daughter's wedding is some kind of joke? This is too much!"

Mom's eyes were bright red with anger. She marched up to the stage, pulled me behind her, and told the Larsons: "We're not going through with this wedding! From now on, the Smiths and the Larsons are done with each other!"

Noelle freaked out as the wedding was about to be called off.

"Darcy, Howard's just being silly. I'll get him to come and say sorry right now."

I just laughed. "Okay, I'll give him another chance. If you can get him on the phone, I'll act like nothing happened."

Elias squeezed my hand tight, and I whispered to him, "Don't worry, Howard's not coming back."

Noelle was desperate, dialing Howard's number over and over.

One call, two calls, three calls...

However, all she got was that chilly recorded voice: "I'm sorry, the phone you're trying to reach has been turned off."

I put on a sad face and said, "Looks like Mr. Larson doesn't want to come back.”

"Security, please escort the uninvolved people out."

Andrew and Noelle were lifted by the guards and taken away, as a swarm of reporters eagerly took pictures of them.

My mom squeezed my hand, not asking any questions, but she kept saying:

"Darcy, whatever you decide to do, we're behind you."

Dad gave my shoulder a gentle pat, and I felt a warm glow inside.

In my previous life, I was so set on marrying Howard that it caused a big fight with my family. After I passed away, they were so upset that it was like they aged overnight.

In this life, I'm not going to repeat that mistake.

Howard, the one who caused all the trouble, I would not let him off easy.

Once the wedding was over, I called my assistant right away.

"Stop all deals with the Larson family immediately, and take back every penny we put in."