The Invoice Before the Vows

"James, you need to keep your wife in line," Samantha said, speaking like she owned the family. "What does she mean by calling us strangers? Making a public scene—does she think that's amusing?" Her glance at James alone was enough to make a command of it.

James's older brother, Nick Carter, weighed in, irritation lacing his voice. "You married James. You're a Carter now. How can you call us strangers? That's completely inappropriate."

Concerned about saving face, James snapped at me, "Lyndis, stop making a scene. It's not like you're short on money. Why are you acting like this? Just pay the bill already. Don't make things more embarrassing."

I let out a mocking laugh. "I'm absolutely not paying. First, I never agreed to treat you. Second, I didn't eat a single bite. You dragged me here—I'm only here to keep you company."

Cami's expression darkened as she slammed her hand on the table. The dishes rattled, the sharp sound cutting through the room.

"You just married into this family, and you're already stirring up trouble like this. It seems like you've got no interest in building a real life with James anymore."

Samantha quickly added, "I've heard Lyndis buys handbags that cost tens of thousands without batting an eye, yet when it comes to treating her family to a meal, she's suddenly so stingy!"

"'My family'?" I repeated, my voice laced with sarcasm. "Which one of you is my family? How come I didn't realize I had family here?"

My words finally pushed James over the edge. He stood up and shouted at me, "Are you done yet? It's just one meal! Do you really have to make the whole family look bad?"

It was the first time he had ever raised his voice at me. In seven years of dating, he had always been gentle and refined—nothing like the man standing before me now.

I rose to my feet as well, meeting his gaze with cold indifference.

"James, can't you tell? I don't want to be with you anymore."

Cami could no longer sit still. She stood up and sneered at me.

"Don't try to scare my son with that trick. Everyone knows you were the one chasing after him, begging him to marry you! You love my son to death. Otherwise, why would you marry him without asking for anything?

"Lyndis, put away that spoiled young-lady temper of yours. I advise you to stop this nonsense. If James gets angry and leaves you, I won't stop him!"

I burst out laughing, genuinely amused. "There's no need for me to beg him. I'm the one who doesn't want him anymore. So you can figure out how to pay for this table yourselves."

Seeing the situation spiral, the server stepped in cautiously.

"Please decide who will settle the bill as soon as possible. If not, we will have to call the police."

At the mention of the police, Samantha grew even more unsettled.

"Lyndis, if a single meal ruins your marriage with James, you'll regret it for the rest of your life!"

Our raised voices had already drawn the attention of other diners, who began peeking out from their private rooms to watch the commotion.

Watching their mixture of panic and anger, I felt a quiet thrill of satisfaction.

"Samantha, don't worry about me—worry about yourself instead. Tell me, if I show them this, do you think you'll still be able to stay in the Carter family?"

I walked over to her and pulled up a photo on my phone, holding it out for her to see.

The moment she glanced at it, her face drained of color. Panic flashed in her eyes as she lunged forward, trying to snatch my phone.