As
Emily walks down the aisle, she feels as though she is finally living her
wedding dream. The dress is perfect just like the venue, music, and her groom.
Until it’s time for the vows when Jason completely humiliates her in front of
everyone. But later, he gets a taste of his own medicine.
It
was the day that I had been waiting for. After months of wedding planning and
dieting to fit into my dream dress. This was the moment.
“Come
on, darling,” my father said, holding out his hand, ready to walk me down the
aisle to Jason.
“How
do you feel?” my father asked me, kissing my forehead.
“Happy,”
I said simply. “I’ve been dreaming of this moment for years now, Dad.”
We
walked down the aisle to soft music that I had chosen months ago. The guitarist
perched on a wooden stool.
“You
look beautiful, Emily,” Jason said, taking my hand from my father.
The
ceremony began with the priest talking about love and commitment, just as he
had told us he would.
“It’s
time for the vows,” the priest said, smiling at us both.
“Jason,
you are my best friend, and I’ve always wanted to marry my best friend. I
promise to support you, to always laugh with you, and to grow with you. I vow
to be faithful and cherish every moment we have together. In this life, and the
next.”
My
sister sighed next to me, wiping away her tears.
“Jason,”
the priest said. “It’s now your turn.”
Jason
looked at me and smiled, and then he turned to his groomsmen, causing them to
snigger.
“Emily,
my love,” he said. “I promise to always be there for you, even when you’re
nagging me to take out the trash because you think the house smells.”
Jason’s
groomsmen chuckled.
“And
I’ll always hold your hand, especially when we’re walking through
spider-infested areas because we all know how much you love those eight-legged
critters.”
The
groomsmen laughed louder. Some of our guests joined in.
And
still, Jason continued.
“I
vow to remind you to pick up your dragging feet when you walk, so we can avoid
another trip to the emergency room like that time you tripped over absolutely
nothing. And to taste all the burnt lasagna in the world because that’s your
signature dish.”
The
more Jason spoke, the more embarrassed I got.
I
frowned at him, hoping that he would understand that there was nothing
beautiful or romantic about his words. But he ignored me and continued.
“Also,
I will tolerate your singing in the shower. It may sound like a cat in distress
but at least it makes me appreciate good music! And most importantly, Emily,”
he said.
“I
promise to forgive you for basically forcing me to propose to you after you
left those bridal magazines all over the apartment.”
My
jaw dropped.I didn’t know how to react. Jason’s groomsmen were all but falling
over each other with laughter.
“Really?”
I whispered to him.
Jason
winked.
“Now,
it’s time for you to exchange rings,” the priest said.
Jason’s
niece came up to the altar with the wedding rings tied onto a little cushion
that she clutched tightly.
“Thank
you, sweetheart,” I said, taking the rings from her.
Holding
the rings, I realized I didn’t want to put Jason’s ring on his finger. We were
married now, all but for signing the registration book.
But
after hearing Jason’s vows, I didn’t know if I wanted to be with this man.
“Give
me your hand,” Jason said, pulling my hand.
He
slid the ring onto my finger and held his hand out for me to do the same.
My
stomach turned. Suddenly, my dream bubble had burst. Nothing felt as it had
moments before.
“Jason,
you may now kiss the bride!” the priest exclaimed.
Jason
grabbed my waist and pulled me close to him, his other hand gripping the back
of my neck. He kissed me without passion or feeling.
“What
on earth was that?” I asked Jason when we were doing our photographs before the
reception.
“What
do you mean?” he asked, frowning.
“Your
vows,” I said. “They were insensitive and embarrassing.”
“No!
They were cute!” he said. “I kept them true to us.”
“You
basically told everyone that I’m a nag and clumsy. And that I forced you into
marrying me.”
I
crossed my arms and waited for some kind of explanation.
“Oh,
come on, Emily,” he said. “Everyone was laughing. It’s not as deep as you’re
making it. Let’s just do this photoshoot and go back to the party. I am
starving.”
I
bit my tongue. I didn’t have it in me to fight.
At
the reception, Jason truly let himself go. He went overboard with the drinks
and ate enough steak and potatoes to make anyone sick to their stomach.
“Mom,”
I said, kneeling next to my mother before the formalities began. “I don’t feel
good.”
“What
do you mean, sweetheart?” my mother asked.
“Jason…”
I said, my voice trailing as the weight of my uneasiness set in. “Those vows
were nothing but an embarrassment.”
“Maybe
it was just nerves, Emily,” my mother said. “You know how Jason can be
sometimes.”
Soon
after, the emcee got up and began the formalities. Jason’s brother stood up and
spoke about how we met and his first impressions of me.
“I
didn’t think Emily would stay!” Jackson laughed, his beer bottle in his hand.
“But I guess she knows how to deal with my brother.”
It
went on and on, and my husband ate up his brother’s words, chuckling loudly.
Then,
it was time for my father-in-law’s speech.
“Ladies
and gentlemen, I have a few words to say to my son and his new bride, the
lovely Emily,” he said.
I
held my breath. I had always gotten along with Robert, and he had always
treated me well. But I had thought the same of Jason until his vows were said.
I didn’t know if I had to prepare myself for something from Robert, too.
If
I had to be honest with myself, I just wanted to run away. I didn’t feel like a
bride. I didn’t feel much like anything. I didn’t even feel like myself.
I
wanted to rip off my wedding dress and get into my comfiest pair of sweatpants.
I wanted to cry.
“Jason, do you know what makes a marriage work, son?” Robert asked.
“Uh,
love? Attraction? Chemistry?” Jason said, faltering.
Who
on earth is this man? I wondered to myself.
“It’s
respect,” Robert said, shaking his head. “It’s about cherishing your partner
and never making them feel small or embarrassed. Today, you turned your vows
into a series of jokes at Emily’s expense. That was not only inappropriate but
also deeply hurtful.”
I
glanced around and saw some of the guests were shaking their heads.
“To
teach you a lesson, Jason,” Robert continued. “I’m going to share something
about you that you might find equally embarrassing.”
“What?
Dad! Stop!” Jason said, standing up.
“Jason
still sleeps with a nightlight. He says that it’s because he likes to read in
bed, but we all know that it’s because he’s afraid of the dark.”
Laughter
erupted through the room.
“And
let’s not forget about the time when Jason tried to cook for Emily and set off
the fire alarm because he didn’t know that normal people don’t put metal in
microwaves.”
“Dad,
just stop it,” Jason hissed.
“Or
about the time when he got drunk after a party, and insisted that he needed to
sleep on the floor in my bedroom.”
“I
shared these stories not to embarrass you, Jason. But to show you how it feels.
Humor at someone else’s expense isn’t funny, it’s cruel. You need to understand
the consequences of your actions.”
I
smiled at Robert, finally feeling seen.
“Emily,
on behalf of my son, I apologize. Jason still has a lot to learn about being a
loving and respectful partner. But I know that he can do better, and I hope you
give him the chance to prove it.”
“I’m
so sorry, Emily,” Jason said from beside me. “I thought I was being funny, but
I see how ridiculous I was being. Give me another chance.”
“Fine,”
I said. “But it’s going to take more than just empty words to fix this.”
I
want to give us another chance, but something still feels very off.
What
would you do?
If
you enjoyed this story, here’s another one for you |
Man
Finds Out about His Bride’s Betrayal – He Goes to the Altar with a Remote
Control in His Hands
Daphne is in the middle of her brother’s wedding. As a bridesmaid, she has an
obligation to Denise. But when Liam surprises them all with a video revealing
Denise’s ultimate secrets, Daphne has no choice but to choose her brother—even
if what he did was humiliating for Denise.
This
work is inspired by real events and people, but it has been fictionalized for
creative purposes. Names, characters, and details have been changed to protect
privacy and enhance the narrative. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or
dead, or actual events is purely coincidental and not intended by the author.
The
author and publisher make no claims to the accuracy of events or the portrayal
of characters and are not liable for any misinterpretation. This story is
provided “as is,” and any opinions expressed are those of the characters and do
not reflect the views of the author or publisher.
Post a Comment