Chapter 4
The guests started murmuring, some even taking out their phones to take pictures.
I felt my face burn with humiliation as I bit my lip.
Yes, I had chased after him for many years, but he had always accepted my kindness and given me vague, non–committal replies.
Again and again, he trampled on my genuine feelings.
A cold wind blew through the room.
I felt cold both inside and out.
There were actually people in the audience who seemed to agree with Arnold, wanting to marry me.
Arnold led a man up to the stage, a man in his forties or fifties who looked even older than my father.
He grinned, exposing yellow teeth and flashing a lewd smile.
10:47 PM.
<
“What a beauty,” he commented.
Tyler and Peter pushed me roughly in front of him.
I felt disgusted and couldn’t bring myself to speak.
Peter, seeing I wasn’t playing along, snapped, “Isn’t this faster than bringing in an actor? Hurry up and marry him. Stop embarrassing us all.”
Esther chimed in, “Sara, just stop the act. We’ve already chosen the best one for you. What else could you possibly want?”
I stared at these sanctimonious people, clenching my fists.
“My wedding is not something for you to decide!”
Then it hit me. I had just registered my marriage yesterday. At this very moment, my marriage certificate was in my bag.
I took a few steps forward, grabbed the bag, and pulled out the marriage certificate. Then, I opened it and slammed it in front of them.
“This is my marriage certificate, with my husband’s name on it. Like I said, he’s just not here yet.”
Peter froze for a moment, his expression odd, before he burst into laughter.
“Sara, you really went all out with the drama!
“Do you even know who this man is? How dare you photoshop him into your husband?”
Arnold took a quick look at the certificate, too.
The room erupted into laughter.
“Which shady place did you get this fake certificate from? You didn’t even bother to make it look convincing. Mr. Jerome Emmerson? I just asked him to meet up with me yesterday about a partnership.
“He said he had just gotten married and was busy spending time with his wife!
“You say this is your husband? Stop making a fool of yourself!”
I remembered that Jerome had indeed spent the whole day with me trying on wedding dresses. His phone kept ringing, so I kindly told him to go ahead with his work, only for him to insist on staying and finishing the fitting.
Esther looked at me with pity in her eyes. “Sara, it’s not your fault that you can’t have the one you love. But to force yourself to play out a charade like this just makes you look like a clown.”
My father couldn’t take it anymore. He grabbed my arm and tried to pull me off the stage.
“Enough, Sara. Are you not done yet?”
But Arnold held onto my hand, preventing me from leaving.
“Didn’t you say he was almost here?
“Aren’t you going to let us meet this so–called husband? You’re not leaving without showing him off, are you?”
Peter and Tyler also grabbed me, preventing me from leaving. In the chaos, I almost lost my balance and tripped down the stairs.
Just when I thought I was about to fall flat on my face, losing what little dignity I had left, a man caught me tightly in his arms, and the fresh, calming scent of pine wrapped around me.
‘Sorry, honey, I’m late.”
