I Changed The Wedding Into A Cancellation Mid-Ceremony Chapter 02

I Changed The Wedding Into A Cancellation Mid-Ceremony Chapter 02

My dad was sitting on a storage box when I got back. His palm was still bleeding.

The second he saw me, he tried to stand.

“Elena, do they need us out there?”

“We’ll be ready in a second.”

I eased him back down.

“Don’t move.”

My mom looked up at me with red-rimmed eyes, forcing a smile.

“Don’t worry.”

“I can still wear this if I just clean it up a little.”

She glanced down at the wine-soaked hem and quickly tucked the stained part behind her.

“When they call us up, I’ll just stand a little off to the side.”

“The camera won’t even catch it.”

My throat tightened.

Even now, their only thought was making sure I didn’t lose face in front of Nathan’s family.

I heard footsteps at the door.

Nathan stood in the doorway, taking in the mess with a frown.

“You’re not done yet?”

“We’re behind schedule.”

“If your parents aren’t ready, maybe they should sit out the ceremony.”

He said it casually, like it was just a harmless suggestion.

“Your mom doesn’t exactly look camera-ready right now.”

The smile died on my mom’s face.

Her eyes dropped to her dress. She looked like she was just now seeing what everyone else saw.

My dad hurried to agree.

“Right. Right, of course.”

“We don’t need to be up there.”

“As long as your big day goes off without a hitch.”

I looked at Nathan and didn’t recognize him.

He used to promise he’d treat my parents like his own. Now they were hurt and humiliated, and the only thing that bothered him was how they’d look on camera.

Vanessa stepped up from right behind him.

She was holding a bundle of clothes, her eyes still red from fake tears.

“Mrs. Ashford, I found you something clean to wear.”

“You should change.”

Her voice was sickeningly sweet and warm.

Then my mom unfolded it, and her face went pale.

It was a spare hotel uniform. Plain black.

The fabric was stiff, and the hem was still wrinkled. A plastic name tag was still pinned to the chest.

Vanessa didn’t blink.

“Mrs. Ashford, it’ll work for now.”

“The cameras will be on the bride and groom most of the time anyway.”

“They won’t really get you in the shot.”

My mom held the uniform. Her fingers curled into the fabric.

She’d bought that mother-of-the-bride dress two months ago. She’d scrimped on groceries for a whole month so she could afford it.

Every night she would try it on in front of the mirror.

One night she turned to me.

“Elena, is this too much? Am I going to look like I’m trying too hard?”

“Do you think I’ll fit in with Nathan’s family?”

I’d laughed.

“Mom, you look beautiful.”

Her whole face lit up.

And now she stood holding a hotel uniform, her voice barely above a whisper.

“Okay.”

“As long as it’s clean.”

My eyes burned.

Nathan actually looked relieved.

“That was sweet of you, Vanessa.”

Then he turned to me.

“And lose the attitude.”

“You made Vanessa cry earlier.”

“When you go back out there, I need you to apologize to her. In front of everyone.”

Vanessa bit her lip.

“Nathan, don’t. It’s fine.”

“She doesn’t like me. I understand.”

“I just wanted your wedding to be perfect.”

Nathan’s voice went soft.

“I know. Don’t let her get to you.”

I stood there watching them. I was past the point of being disgusted.

My mom kept her head down. She didn’t say a word.

But I watched her tears land on the black fabric.

The stiff fabric swallowed them instantly. They didn’t even leave a mark.

Something in me went dead.

My parents were never going to matter at this wedding. Not from the very start.

I pulled out my phone and texted the wedding planner.

[Don’t wait for the cue.]

[When the ceremony starts, play the file I gave you.]

The reply came fast.

[Are you sure?]

I looked at Nathan, leaning toward Vanessa, whispering to her. Then I looked at my parents, their eyes red from holding everything in.

I typed two words.

[I’m sure.]