They Cut Down My Tree for Her Box, I Cut Myself Out of Their Family Chapter 05

They Cut Down My Tree for Her Box, I Cut Myself Out of Their Family Chapter 05

Cole carried me downstairs, his stride so steady I barely felt a sway.

No door games, no silly challenges. But behind us, a crowd was still making plenty of noise.

Cole had brought a whole crew-his groomsmen, my coworkers, our mutual friends. They didn’t ask any questions. Every single one of them wore a “Bride’s Family” pin, and every face was lit with genuine happiness for us.

One of the guys hollered, “Anyone says something nice about the bride, I’m tossing cash!”

So I heard a flood of blessings.

A passerby: “When did this bride step down from heaven?”

A little kid: “When I grow up, I wanna marry someone just like her.”

The cleaning lady teased Cole: “Look at all this family backup-you better never make her mad!”

Cole grinned wide. “Not a chance. Took me forever to marry her. I haven’t even had time to spoil

her yet.”

The cheers swelled louder.

Envelopes of cash flew through the air. So did the blessings.

I didn’t dare lift my head until I was inside the car. Because I was afraid if I did, the tears would spill.

“Cole. Thank you.”

He rubbed my hand. “Willa, you deserve to be loved. You just don’t know it yet.”

The car pulled up to the hotel. My mother-in-law rushed to meet us, pressing a thick envelope of

money into my hand. “Willa, you’re my daughter now too.”

Cole’s sister Joy hollered dramatically, “So what do I call her now-sis or sister-in-law?”

My mother-in-law didn’t even glance at her, just smoothed the hem of my dress. “Cole, get your wife inside. The ceremony’s starting soon. Have her eat something first-how is she this thin? Once you’re in Switzerland, I’m fixing that stomach of yours.”

Her scolding tone made my nose burn.

Back home, if my sister and I spoke at the same time, no one’s eyes ever landed on me. Today, I was seen first. My thinness wasn’t dismissed as a silly diet-it was a worry.

The ceremony was simple. No parent speeches, no sappy tributes. But every single person looked at

me with blessings in their eyes.

That night, I was packing for the next day. Cole had disappeared somewhere. I asked where he was.

Joy winked at me, all mystery. “Willa, my brother’s setting up a surprise. You’ll see.”

Right then Cole walked back in. “We should’ve named you Joy Loudspeaker. Can’t keep a secret to

save your life.”

I looked over-and stopped breathing.

Cole was carrying two camphor chests. Not enormous, but beautifully made. A pair of phoenixes

carved into the lids.

“Willa, Mom had me make these. Whatever other brides get, you shouldn’t lack.”

I looked at my her. She was smiling at me.

The tears came then, hot and heavy. “Mom, I can’t fill these.”

She walked over and patted my head. “Doesn’t matter. From now on, I’m the one who’ll fill them.”

Later, lying in bed, I scrolled through the family group chat. Ninety-nine-plus messages. Only one

mentioned me-Nora asking where I was.

Mom: [Ignore her. She’ll come crawling back for the wedding. Who’s she trying to scare?]

Nobody else asked a single thing. Where was I? Was I safe?

I stared for a while, then tapped “Leave Group.” A red prompt asked if I wanted to delete all chat

history.

I pressed confirm.

An arm wrapped around me. “Sleep. Early flight tomorrow.”

| “Okay.”

I turned off my phone and closed my eyes.