During the tea ceremony, my mother-in-law pulled out a gift envelope she'd clearly prepared ahead of time and waved it toward the man standing behind me — my best friend.
"Bradley Fox, honestly, I always thought you were the better catch. Too bad it just wasn't in the cards for you and my Eily."
"Since you can't be my son-in-law, then today I'll take you as my godson."
"Take this ten thousand and one dollars, and from now on you call me Mom."
The teacup froze in my hand. I turned to Eileen Swanson beside me, my eyes asking her what the hell was going on.
She coughed awkwardly and explained under her breath.
"We were going to do the godson thing after the wedding, but my mom figured this would save the trouble."
"I thought, since you and Bradley are close anyway, you wouldn't make a fuss over it, so I agreed."
Then she nudged Bradley to hurry up and take the envelope.
Bradley took it, excited, and called out to my mother-in-law in a loud voice, "Mom."
She nodded, smiling.
Seeing the displeasure on my face, Eileen quickly jabbed me with her elbow.
"That's enough. It's a happy day, don't pull a long face."
"You and Bradley are both family to me now. This way the three of us are just even closer. What's wrong with that?"
"Besides, my mom didn't play favorites. She prepared an eight-hundred-and-eighty-eight-dollar envelope for you too. Now finish the tea and stop holding up the ceremony."
Watching the impatience on her face, I set the teacup aside.
"No need for anyone to get closer. Go ahead and marry Bradley instead."
...
A flash of shock crossed Eileen's face, then she dropped her voice and snapped at me. "Are you insane? With all these relatives and friends watching, what are you making a scene for!"
I let out a cold laugh.
"I'm making a scene? Your whole family takes a godson at my wedding without asking me, and I'm the one who's supposed to be gracious about it."
"Eileen, do you think I'm just that easy to push around?"
Her brows knotted together.
"Jayden Henson, don't throw a rich-boy tantrum here. Just finish the ceremony, and I'll make it up to you when we get home."
Seeing this, Bradley stepped forward and held the envelope out to me, his voice full of fake unease.
"Jayden, don't blame Mom or Eily. This is all my fault."
"I don't want the envelope anymore. Don't call off the wedding over me."
His mouth said he didn't want it, but his fingers were clamped tight around that thick envelope.
Eileen's heart broke for him. She yanked Bradley behind her and shielded him.
"Bradley, don't mind him. You're keeping that envelope today, no matter what. It's the gift my mom gave you as her godson!"
"Jayden's just letting off steam. With this many people watching, you think he'd actually back out?"
I stared at that familiar face, and in that moment it felt like a total stranger's.
"Eileen, do you really think that as long as I show up at this wedding, I have to marry you?"
At that, my mother-in-law shot to her feet, jabbed a finger at my nose, and started cursing.
"You ungrateful piece of trash!"
"My daughter settling for you is your good fortune!"
"If you dare walk out today, then later, even if you kneel and beg me, I'll never let my Eily marry you!"
I ignored her and turned straight to the emcee.
"Hand me the mic, please."
The emcee reflexively passed it over.
Eileen sensed something was off and reached out to grab it.
"Jayden! Stop messing around!"
I dodged to the side, gripped the mic, and looked out at the guests below.
"Everyone, I'm truly sorry."
"Today's wedding ends here."
"I'm not getting married."
The guests erupted.
I stepped down off the stage, and my parents hurried over to meet me.
My mother grabbed my hand.
