My Mother-in-Law Chose My Best Friend Over Me

At the tea ceremony, my mother-in-law took out a red envelope she'd clearly prepared in advance, and waved it toward my best friend standing behind me.

"Beth, sweetie, honestly Auntie always liked you better. Shame my boy just didn't have the luck."

"Since you can't be my daughter-in-law, then today I'll take you as my daughter."

"Take this ten thousand and one, and from now on you should be calling me Mom."

The teacup froze in my hand. I turned to look at Earl Swanson beside me, asking with my eyes what on earth was going on.

He gave an awkward cough and explained under his breath.

"We were going to do the goddaughter thing after the wedding, but Mom figured this saved trouble."

"I thought, you and Beth are best friends anyway, so you wouldn't make a fuss about it. So I said yes."

Then he turned and told Beth to hurry up and take the envelope.

Eyes red, Beth accepted it, and in a trembling voice she called my mother-in-law "Mom."

My mother-in-law smiled and nodded.

Seeing the displeasure on my face, Earl quickly nudged me with his elbow.

"Come on, it's a happy day, don't pull a face."

"You and Beth are both part of my family now. The three of us will just be that much closer from here on out. What's wrong with that?"

"Besides, Mom didn't play favorites. She's got a red envelope ready for you too, $8.88. Just finish the tea already, don't hold up the ceremony."

Looking at the impatience on Earl's face, I set the teacup aside.

"No need to get any closer. Go ahead and marry Beth directly."

...

A flicker of shock crossed Earl's face, and then he lowered his voice and snapped at me.

"Are you insane? All these relatives and friends are watching, what are you making a scene for?"

I let out a cold laugh.

"I'm making a scene? Your whole family named a goddaughter at my wedding without asking me, and now I'm supposed to be gracious about it."

"Earl, do you think I'm just that easy to push around?"

Earl's brows knotted together.

"Jocelyn Henson, don't throw your little-princess tantrum here. Finish the ceremony, and I'll make it up to you when we get home."

Seeing this, Beth stepped forward and held the red envelope out to me, her voice catching.

"Joss, don't blame Mom or Earl. It's all my fault."

"I don't want this envelope. Don't call off the wedding because of me."

Her mouth said she didn't want it, but her hand was clamped tight around that thick envelope.

Earl's heart went out to her, and he pulled Beth into his arms.

"Beth, don't mind her. You have to keep this envelope today. This is your welcome-to-the-family money from my mom!"

"Jocelyn's just blowing off steam. With this many people watching, you think she'd actually back out?"

I stared at that familiar face, and in this moment it felt like a total stranger's.

"Earl, do you think that just because I put on this dress, I have no choice but to marry you?"

Hearing that, my mother-in-law shot to her feet and jabbed a finger in my face, cursing.

"You ungrateful little thing!"

"My son taking a liking to you is your good fortune!"

"If you dare walk out today, then from now on, even if you come crawling back on your knees, I'll never let you through the Swanson family door!"

I ignored her and turned straight to the emcee beside me.

"Could I have the microphone, please."

The emcee handed it over on reflex.

Earl caught on that something was wrong and reached out to grab it.

"Jocelyn! Don't do this!"

I twisted away, gripped the mic, and looked out at the guests below.

"Everyone, family and friends, I'm truly sorry."

"Today's wedding ends here."

"I'm not going through with it."

The guests erupted at once.

I stepped down from the stage, and my parents hurried up to meet me.

My mother grabbed my hand.

Her palm was cold with sweat, and still trembling faintly.