The caterer stepped forward. “Sir, we need payment before service continues.”
The venue manager added, “And settlement of the hall balance.”
The bandleader lifted a hand. “Same here.”
Nick looked trapped.
Lori grabbed his arm. “You have money, right?”
He swallowed. “Not enough… not $80,000. What about you? Can’t you pay your sister’s share?”
Lori’s jaw dropped. “Are you serious? Of course not!”
That did it.
The room erupted.
Nick’s father, red with embarrassment, stood. “Nicholas, how dare you embarrass our family like this?”
Nick panicked.
Lori turned to the crowd. “Nick and I are still getting married!”
A guest laughed. “With what money?”
The caterer answered before I could. “Not without payment, you aren’t.”
Lori’s eyes found mine. “You can’t ruin everything.”
I looked at her, wearing my life like a costume. “You wanted the wedding. I’m giving it to you—bills and all.”
I turned and walked toward the doors.
Behind me, bridesmaids began following. Guests rose. By the time I reached the exit, most were behind me.
Nick shouted, panic in his voice. “You can’t just walk away.”
I glanced back. Nick and Lori stood near the doors, surrounded by vendors demanding payment.
Nick’s father berated my mother. Dad stood across with Nick’s parents, judgment clear.
I turned on my heel, stepped into the sunlight, and walked away.
I had exposed a cruel plan and ensured the guilty suffered.
And it felt good.
