Before the Bells Could Ring

Larisse, who used to say I was the only son-in-law for the Lewis family, was then smiling and chatting with Jeffrey.

It turned out everyone knew Jeffrey was the real groom at the wedding, except for me.

I rubbed my sore arm and stood up to leave. Larisse called out to me. "If you're leaving, take off the suit. It's tailor-made to match Rosie's wedding dress."

Looking into her cold, unfamiliar eyes, my heart dropped.

Of course.

I was always just an outsider.

She was Rosie's mom. She would always take her side.

All around me, eyes were watching, making me feel super awkward.

I wriggled out of the suit that was way too small and handed it to Jeffrey. He pretended to dust it off and put it on. It fit him like a glove.

That made me laugh.

So that's why the suit felt so tight: it was not made for me!

Jeffrey eyed my pants and teased. "Malcolm, the jacket and pants don't really match. You don't mind giving me the pants too, do you?"

He was just trying to make me look silly in front of everyone.

When I saw people pulling out their phones, I just turned and walked away.

However, then, there was Larisse in her wheelchair, blocking me with a frosty look.

"Take them off. Rosie bought that outfit, and you can't just take it," she said firmly.

Rosie did not say anything to her mom or Jeffrey. She just stood there, looking upset and like she wanted to say something.

I just smiled calmly and nodded. "I'll go change in the dressing room."

Jeffrey smirked. "Come on, Malcolm. It's no big deal for a guy to take off his pants in front of everyone. You wear way less at the beach. What are you, shy?"

I clenched my fists and began to stride toward Jeffrey.

Rosie noticed my growing anger and placed herself in front of Jeffrey, holding my hand. "He's just joking. Don't let it get to you."

The other young men around us started snickering and teasing. "Seriously? Can't take a joke? No wonder Rosie's marrying someone else. Mr. Jones is just no fun."

The wedding had turned into a total mess, and Larisse was glaring at me with so much anger.

"Enough already! Do you really have to ruin Rosie's wedding before you'll stop?"

I saw Rosie's sad eyes begging me, and I could not help but laugh.

It was supposed to be my special day, and then I was the one causing trouble?

Talking with those people who just do not get it is a waste of time. I did not want to argue, so I just walked away.

"Mom, I'm going to get my clothes with Malcolm," Rosie said quickly, then she ran to catch up with me.

She burst into the dressing room at the wrong time, but she spoke gently for once:

"I'm sorry, my mom is old and can be pretty stubborn. Please don't be mad at her.

"Getting married to Jeffrey today was all her idea. She's sick and gets upset easily, so I went along with it to keep the peace."

She called it an act, but the happiness in her eyes seemed real, and her love for the kid was definitely true.

Before, I would have been so jealous and made a big scene, asking her if she really loved me.

However, I did not feel a thing and just said, "Okay, got it."

Rosie was ready for a fight, but she stopped short and looked at me, surprised.

She thought I had finally grown up and smiled as she hugged me tight.