A Mask at the Wedding

The news of my marriage to Elias did not get out fast.

The Larson family kept it quiet to protect their stock prices.

After the wedding, Elias and I got our marriage license in a flash, and then he said he had to go abroad for a few days.

On the other side, Howard, who had no clue, had a great two days at the villa with Joyce before he finally sensed something was off.

Normally, I would have caused a big fuss by then, making him come back, but this time, there was complete silence.

Howard was distractedly swiping on his phone, not even looking up when Joyce called his name.

"No, she's definitely playing games," he thought to himself.

Thinking that, Howard's lips twisted into a smile. He had let her get away with too much.

I never thought I would run into two troublemakers at my dad's business dinner.

Right away, Howard spotted me, but he looked like a storm cloud when he saw me chatting with another guy.

Joyce, after spotting me, pretended to be casual as she rubbed her belly and whined to Howard, "Howard, I can't walk anymore, my feet are killing me."

Howard was all sweet, helping her out, but he kept sneaking peeks at me.

He seemed to be waiting for me to come over and say hi.

Too bad for him, I let him down.

I did not even give him a side glance the whole time.

He lost his cool and marched over to our table, plopped his glass down hard, and blurted out, "Darcy, are you mad at me for having someone else stand in for me at our wedding?"

I did not even want to look at him and got up to leave.

"At the last wedding, Joyce was sick, and we had to rush, that's why I wasn't there."

Joyce swayed over and blocked my path.

"Darcy, don't be mad at Howard, it's my fault for being sick and messing up your wedding..."

Howard just looked at me and laughed like it was a joke.

"Darcy, I never knew you were so touchy, it was just a wedding, right?"

He tried to grab my arm like it was nothing.

I gave him a frosty look and shook off his hand, "Mr. Larson, keep your hands to yourself.”

"Didn't your folks tell you about the wedding?"

Howard was confused, "Tell me what?"

Joyce got all flustered, grabbed my wrist, and begged, "Darcy, please, Howard was just trying to do the right thing..."

She was saying we should make up, but her nails were pinching my skin so hard it made me gasp for air.

I jerked my hand away: "Go away!"

"Ah—!"

Joyce tumbled to the ground in a mess.

Howard was furious. He quickly helped Joyce up and yelled at me, "You're crazy! Say you're sorry to Joyce right now!"

I just laughed and told the security guard who had hurried over, "Security, kick them out!"

Howard was so mad his face turned dark. "Don't think this will make me notice you. If you just do as you're told, I'll go with you to get the marriage license in a few days."

He thought for sure that if he came back, I would be so thankful and cling to him.

I smiled. "However, I've been married for a while now."