Five Minutes Before “I Do”

That was why, back then, I swallowed it and wired Sandra the money Dad had spent two years saving for his kidney transplant.

That same night, his condition hit hard. He dropped to the floor, shaking with pain.

I begged Sandra on our wedding night, asking if she could let me use the money for now.

She pointed at me, nothing but contempt on her face.

"He's faking it! He's just trying to help you get the money back, right? That 300 grand is mine. Don't even think about it!"

While Dad was dying in the hospital hallway, Sandra was busy posting online.

[I love my new Chanel bag!]

Now, I helped Dad into a chair and looked at Sandra.

"I have the money."

Her eyes lit up right away. "Asher, I knew you wouldn't let me down…"

"Why would I give it to you?"

Her face flushed. She grabbed the bouquet and threw it straight at me.

"You're doing this on purpose, aren't you? Let me make this clear. This wedding is happening today, whether you like it or not!"

I pulled up the transfer history on my phone and held it out.

"I gave your parents 350 grand as a wedding gift, paid 1.5 million for the house, and spent close to half a million on the reception. I paid for all of it. But that 300 thousand is my dad's surgery fund. I'm not giving it to you."

Margaret jumped in, leaning so close that I could feel her breath.

"Your dad's a money pit. Everything you make is going to disappear into him. Do you expect my daughter to live like that?"

The bridesmaids jumped in right after.

"Exactly! Sandra grew up with everything. Why should she struggle with you?"

"If you want out, just say it! Don't hide behind your dad."

"Sandra said you've been coming home late. You're working all the time, and you barely pay attention to her anymore!"

Lately, I had been running nonstop, handling the house and coordinating the wedding, barely getting any sleep.

Sandra didn't care. She flipped the story the second it suited her.

I spread my hands and let out a quiet laugh. "Say whatever you want. I'm done."

Margaret snapped and lunged at me, hand raised. "You ungrateful piece of trash! I'll slap some sense into you!"

I stepped aside. She missed and stumbled forward.

"Mom, stop!"

Sandra grabbed her, then looked at me, her eyes hard.

"Fine! The wedding is off. Pay me 500 thousand for wasting 10 years of my life. One dollar less, and I'll make your life miserable. I'll make sure everyone knows the kind of jerk you are!"

The officiant had already come by several times. The ceremony was falling apart.

Dad was shaking so badly that he could barely stand. Panicking, he bent down and reached into the trash to pull the ring back out.

"Let's just talk this through. No fighting."

I caught his arm and steadied him, then looked at Sandra.

"One more thing. I canceled the reception five minutes ago. By now, the guests are probably already leaving."

Margaret froze.

Logan turned and ran for the ballroom.

Sandra just stared at me.

Then, she rushed forward and grabbed my collar.

"Are you out of your mind? We've got a thousand guests out there, and you just cancel? Have you lost your mind?"

I pulled her hand off me. "I'd be crazy if I actually married you."

She stumbled back, nearly losing her footing.

Caleb Bennett rushed over and caught Sandra, glaring at me.

"Asher, what are you doing? She's pregnant! How could you do this to her?"

I was about to answer when Sandra suddenly clutched her stomach.

"Asher, it hurts… Our baby…"

Margaret grabbed her, voice rising. "If anything happens to my grandchild, you'll answer for it!"

Logan came back from the ballroom, his expression gloomy. He picked up a glass vase and slammed it against the floor.

Shards scattered across the room.