Caleb frowned. Seeing it, Elliot rushed in with a grin.
"Come on, big brother, the road toll's a must. It's tradition. Only if you pay do you get a happy marriage."
Caleb patted his pockets, but he wasn't carrying any cash.
He tried to reason with them. "I don't have any cash on me. I'll give it to you back at the house."
Elliot went straight to playing the brat. "No way. No cash, no passing."
Naomi chimed in. "Come on, Caleb, there are so many people here. Borrow from someone. Borrow from the bride, even."
Seeing how stuck Caleb was, I quickly dug six hundred out of my bag and passed it to him.
At that, Elliot suddenly leaned his head toward the car. "Oh, your wife's a real beauty."
Caleb shoved his head back out fast.
But what Elliot said told me he hadn't recognized me at all. It was just something to say for show.
"Ooh, haven't even had the wedding night yet, and already this protective of her."
Caleb didn't bother answering the teasing. He just held out the six hundred to the two of them.
"Take the money and go."
Elliot took it but kept pushing. "No, no, that won't do. The bride hasn't given hers yet."
Seeing Caleb about to lose his temper, I quickly pulled another six hundred from my bag and handed it to Elliot.
He took it, grinning. "Thanks. Wishing you and my brother a long and happy marriage, and a baby soon."
"And wishing my brother and his wife a lifetime of love and devotion."
I listened to that and found it bitter. Fate really did play cruel tricks on people.
And with that, the road teasing was over.
As the car started up again, I saw Elliot had posted to his feed. He'd recorded a congratulations video.
Under it, his buddies were asking, "Isn't it your wedding today?"
"How come you're the one recording congratulations for your brother instead?"
"By trashy-drama logic, don't tell me your socially anxious bride got stolen by your brother?"
Elliot replied, "Don't talk nonsense. My wife is nothing like Serena. And by the way, everyone, the wedding's off."
"I'll let you all know once we've set a new date."
"A socially anxious girlfriend does have its perks. No crying, no drama."
Before we got out of the car, Elliot, considerate of how I might feel, had the butler tell all the staff in advance.
So when we stepped out, there wasn't a soul around, and my nerves slowly eased.
Caleb held my hand tight and led me to his room. Everything had been so rushed there'd been no time to set up a proper wedding room.
I sat stiff on the edge of the bed, imagining what a wedding night might bring, growing more and more uneasy.
Because the most intimate thing I could stand was a hug.
Caleb saw my unease and my nerves. He gave my cheek a light, doting pinch and smiled.
"Little Serena, you sleep here on your own tonight. I'll take the guest room."
I let out a breath, relieved, and then felt a little guilty.
When the huge room was left with just me in it, I found myself curious, taking in Caleb's room.
The place was a plain gray-white, very tidy. Then a gemstone necklace in the display case caught my eye.
I stepped closer for a look, and found that this necklace was actually the debut piece I'd handed my brother to auction when I was eighteen.
I never once asked about the bidding. I'd had no idea the one who won it was Caleb.
While I stood there dazed, laughter and voices suddenly came from outside the door.
"Brother, how could you just get married without a word? Who'd you marry? Let me see."
"Right, Caleb, how could you not even tell us you were getting married? That's way too sudden, isn't it?"
It was Elliot and Naomi's voices, and as they spoke I saw the door handle turn.
