The day I had been dreaming about my entire life had finally arrived. Months of planning, endless Pinterest boards, and strict dieting to fit into my dream dress had led to this moment. Every detail—the flowers, the music, the venue—was exactly how I imagined it. And Jason… he looked perfect too. Or so I thought.
“Come on, darling,” my father said, extending his hand toward me. His eyes sparkled with pride. “Time to walk down the aisle.”
I took his hand, feeling the familiar warmth of his support.
“How do you feel?” he asked softly, pressing a kiss to my forehead.
“Happy,” I replied, my voice steady, though my heart was racing. “I’ve dreamed of this moment for years, Dad.”
We stepped forward together as the soft melody of the guitarist filled the room. The wooden stool he perched on looked almost romantic under the afternoon sun streaming through the windows. Guests turned to watch, some with tears already glistening in their eyes.
“You look beautiful, Emily,” Jason whispered as my father’s hand left mine and he took mine. His grip was gentle.
The priest began speaking about love and commitment, the kind of words we had rehearsed, and my heart swelled with anticipation.
“It’s time for the vows,” the priest said, smiling warmly at us both.
I took a deep breath, letting all my love for Jason pour into my words. “Jason, you are my best friend, and I’ve always wanted to marry my best friend. I promise to support you, to laugh with you, to grow with you. I vow to be faithful and cherish every moment we have together—in this life, and the next.”
My sister, sitting beside me, dabbed at her tears, sighing softly.
The priest turned to Jason. “Your turn now.”
Jason smiled at me—then turned to his groomsmen, and I immediately noticed the mischievous glint in his eye.
“Emily, my love,” he began, and my stomach twisted as he continued, “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.”
A few groomsmen snickered.
“And I’ll always hold your hand, especially when we’re walking through spider-infested areas—because we all know how much you adore those eight-legged critters,” he added.
The laughter grew louder, and some guests joined in. I froze, feeling heat rush to my cheeks.
He didn’t stop. “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, well… that’s your signature dish.”
I bit my lip, glaring at him. Did he even realize how cruel he sounded?
He kept going. “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…”
I clenched my fists. “I promise to forgive you for basically forcing me to propose to you after you left those bridal magazines all over the apartment,” he finished with a wink.
My jaw dropped. I couldn’t breathe for a moment. Jason’s groomsmen were now practically rolling on the floor with laughter.
“Really?” I whispered to him, disbelief coloring my tone.
“Of course!” he said, grinning.
By the time Jason handed me the ring for the exchange, I felt hollow inside. My dream had shattered. I slid his ring onto his finger mechanically, and when he put mine on, my stomach churned. This wasn’t the fairy tale I had imagined.
“Jason, you may now kiss the bride!” the priest announced.
He leaned in, gripping my waist and pulling me close. The kiss was cold, mechanical, devoid of the passion I had envisioned for months.
Later, during our photoshoot, I confronted him. “What on earth was that? Your vows… they were embarrassing and cruel.”
Jason frowned. “What do you mean? They were cute! True to us!”
“You basically told everyone I’m a nag, clumsy, and that I forced you into marrying me.”
“Emily, everyone was laughing. It’s not that serious. Come on, let’s finish the photoshoot. I’m starving,” he said dismissively.
I bit my tongue, holding back tears.
The reception started, and Jason dove headfirst into indulgence—drinks flowing, food piling on his plate like there was no tomorrow.
“Mom,” I said quietly, kneeling beside her, “I don’t feel right.”
“What do you mean, sweetheart?” my mother asked, concerned.
“Those vows… they humiliated me. I just… I feel like the magic is gone,” I confessed.
“Maybe he was just nervous,” my mother said gently. “You know Jason.”
But deep down, I wasn’t convinced.
The emcee called the room to attention, starting with speeches from family. Jason’s brother went first.
“I didn’t think Emily would stay!” he laughed, holding up a beer. “But I guess she knows how to handle my brother.”
Jason chuckled loudly, drinking in every word. I felt smaller with each laugh.
Then, Robert—Jason’s father—stood, and the room quieted. My heart thudded.
“Ladies and gentlemen,” he began, looking at Jason, “I have a few words for my son and his new bride, the lovely Emily.”
I held my breath, unsure if I wanted to hear what came next.
“Jason, do you know what makes a marriage work?” Robert asked.
“Uh… love? Chemistry? Attraction?” Jason replied uncertainly.
Robert shook his head. “It’s respect. It’s about cherishing your partner and never making them feel small or embarrassed. Today, you turned your vows into jokes at Emily’s expense. That was cruel.”
I glanced around. Guests nodded, murmuring agreement.
“To teach you a lesson, Jason,” Robert continued, “I’ll share a few things about you that might embarrass you, too.”
“Dad! Stop!” Jason protested, panicked.
“Jason still sleeps with a nightlight. He claims it’s for reading, but we know the truth—he’s afraid of the dark!”
The room erupted in laughter.
“And remember the time you set off the fire alarm trying to cook for Emily? Or when you got drunk and insisted on sleeping on the floor?”
Jason groaned. The laughter was unstoppable.
“I’m not sharing these stories to hurt you,” Robert said, still smiling. “But to show you how it feels when humor is used to humiliate someone. It’s cruel, Jason. You need to understand the consequences of your actions.”
Finally, I felt seen. I smiled at Robert, grateful.
“Emily, on behalf of my son, I apologize,” Robert concluded. “Jason still has a lot to learn, but I know he can do better if you give him the chance.”
Jason stepped closer, eyes full of regret. “Emily, I’m so sorry. I thought I was being funny, but I see how ridiculous I was. Please… give me another chance.”
I crossed my arms, looking him in the eye. “Fine. But it’s going to take more than empty words to fix this. You need to prove it.”
Something in my chest still felt uneasy, but maybe… just maybe… there was hope that our story wasn’t over yet.