The caterer stepped forward next.
“Sir, we need payment authorization before service continues.”
The venue manager joined him.
“And settlement of the hall balance.”
The band leader raised his hand from near the aisle.
“Same here.”
Nick looked around like a man trapped in a burning room. “This is insane.”
Lori grabbed his arm. “You have money, right, baby?”
He swallowed. “Not enough… not $80,000. What about you?” He turned toward Lori. “Can’t you pay your sister’s share?”
Lori’s jaw dropped. “Are you serious? Of course, I can’t!”
That was the breaking point.
The room erupted.
Nick’s father stood up from the second pew, red with embarrassment. “Nicholas, how dare you embarrass our family like this?”
Nick turned to him with panic in his eyes.
Lori turned toward the crowd desperately. “Nick and I are still getting married!”
A guest near the aisle laughed in disbelief. “With what money are they getting married?”
The caterer answered before I could.
“Not without payment, you aren’t.”
Lori’s eyes locked onto mine, furious. “You can’t just ruin everything.”
I looked at her standing there wearing my life like a costume and said, “You wanted the wedding. I’m just giving it to you, bills and all.”
I turned and walked toward the doors.
Behind me, one of my bridesmaids said, “I’m with her.”
Then another voice joined.
Then another.
By the time I reached the doors, most of the guests were standing and following me out.
Nick shouted behind me, panic finally cracking through his voice.
“You can’t just walk away.”
I turned once.
Nick and Lori were still standing near the altar, surrounded by vendors demanding payment.
Nick’s father was shouting at my mother. My dad stood across from them, his expression cold and unmistakably judgmental.
“Andrea!” Nick shouted. “Come back here and make this right.”
I turned on my heel and stepped out into the sunlight.
I had already made things right.
I had exposed their cruel plan and made sure the people responsible faced the consequences.
And honestly?
It felt good.
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