Chapter 1

On the wedding day, the groom's family was completely absent, and not a single friend or relative showed up on his side.

I tried calling Henry Carter, but he didn't answer. Meanwhile, the bridesmaids were cracking up, laughing together.

"Julia, you couldn't wait to marry Henry, huh? He said he'd marry you, and you jumped at the chance, planning the whole wedding in a flash," someone said.

"Pretending with you these past few days has been torture for us. We've been dying to let loose," another one added.

The big screen flashed to Henry's laid-back smile. He said, "The wedding was a prank. You're always so stiff about everything. Once everyone's had their fun, I'll come over and pay the bill."

My best friend laughed the loudest. "Henry wanted to help you loosen up and let everyone have a good time. Relax, he'll still marry you."

Whispers spread through the crowd, and the MC looked embarrassed as he asked, "Ms. Evans, there are only ten minutes left until the time. Do you still want to continue?"

I tore off my veil and looked at the eight people at the main table, all with gloomy faces.

I sent Henry a voice message. "You all love to joke, but I, Julia Evans, don't. If you're not here in ten minutes, the wedding's canceled.

"Also, the eight supplier reps I promised to introduce to the Carter family are already here. Your joke didn't amuse them."

On the screen, Henry's smile faded bit by bit.

Henry laughed again and clapped twice for me through the screen. "Not bad, Julia. You finally picked up how to joke."

He lounged back on the sofa, champagne tower behind him and a bunch of friends grinning and cracking up.

"But you should know your limits. Those eight companies are no joke. I told you about them two days ago, and you already pulled them all in? You went overboard. It's not funny anymore."

Someone in the hall set the fork down. My uncle started to stand, but my aunt tugged at his sleeve, urging him to stay seated.

The whole screen was a one-way livestream. Henry could hear my voice messages, but he couldn't see what was happening here.

He had no clue that the eight people at the main table had already pushed their wine glasses aside. I dialed his number again.

He declined the call in front of everyone. "Enough, stop nagging. Let the guests leave. Julia, go around and apologize to everyone. Don't let them come for nothing.

"I'll pay the hotel bill when I get there. The whole fuss today, wasn't it so people would know I actually want to marry you?"

Someone gasped, the sound sharp. My mom had been gripping the back of a chair. Hearing that, her shoulders slumped.

The gold skirt suit she was wearing was the one I went with her to four different stores to buy last month.

She thought it was too expensive, but she still paid for it in the end. She said, "A mother should look respectable when her daughter gets married."

Now she stood in a mess of confetti on the floor, not sure where to put her hands.

I grabbed the MC's microphone. "All these guests are here because of me. I'll host them. As for who needs to apologize, it's not me."

Henry didn't hear any of it. The screen was already pitch black.

The bridesmaids raised their phones, laughing as they bumped them together. "We nailed it. Henry better stick to his word. Next week he has to hook us up with those rich heirs," one of them said.

One bridesmaid waved her phone chat at me, teasing, "Julia, don't look so stern. You've made a name for yourself today."

Laura Bennett came up, grabbing my hand. Last night, she held this same hand and swore, if Henry ever bullied me, she'd be the first to step in.

Now she scooped up the veil I'd torn off and tried to redo it on me. "Look at you. You can't play along. Put the veil back on. We need a reaction pic. Your face was priceless just now."

The veil's hairpin scraped behind my ear, making me flinch. I didn't take it back but said to the MC, "Switch to backup plan."

The MC blinked in confusion, then opened the process sheet in her hand.

I always prep for backup plans. Today was no exception.

Every part, such as guest reception, party opening, and refund registry, had a contact assigned. The "wedding postponement" section was meant for rainstorms, traffic jams, or sudden health issues.

I never thought I'd use it to deal with a grown man's joke.

The bridesmaid in the pink dress giggled again. "No one's coming, and you're still doing the routine? Julia, isn't this a bit embarrassing? Are you that desperate to marry him?"

Laura tried to smooth things over, pursing her lips. "That's how Julia is. If she promised Henry something, she'd crawl there if she had to. Last time, Henry casually said he wanted a lucky charm. She trekked four hours up the mountain for him.

"She came back with blistered feet, still didn't complain a word."

I set my bouquet down on the table. The thorns pierced through the ribbon and into my palm.

That day, Henry said his medical checkup had a worrying number, so he wanted a lucky charm for good luck.

I only found out before leaving that the mountain shuttle wasn't running.

I hiked up, hiked down, feet full of blood blisters, and put the lucky charm right in his hand.

Later, he told me he'd picked up the wrong report.

Laura was there, too. She laughed as loud then as she was laughing now.

"I climbed the mountain for the charm because I promised." I took a tissue, pressing it to the blood leaking from my palm. "I'm holding this wedding today because I promised. It's not because I can't live without Henry."

A bridesmaid pouted, "Why are you so stubborn?"

I turned to the wedding planner. "The bridesmaids' job is finished. Please escort them off the stage."

The planner, already frustrated, called two staff members over at once.

Laura's smile faltered. "Julia, are you mad? It's your big day, so don't make it awkward for everyone."

I pointed at the carpet beneath their feet. "You've stood here long enough. Time to step down."

She finally went quiet, tugging her friends down with her.