The wedding was about to begin.

That’s when Claire Dawson and Ryan Brooks finally showed up. Claire’s cheeks were flushed—anyone who didn’t know better might think she was just a shy bride.

The wedding planner glanced at me, then quickly went over the program with us.

Soon after, I was called up to the stage. Claire waited outside the door until the music started, then walked in slowly, gracefully, like the perfect bride.

The officiant handed me the microphone.

"Mr. Miller, do you have something you’d like to say to your bride?"

I took the mic, looked through the crowd at Claire, and said coldly,

"What I want to say is this: this wedding is canceled."

Gasps rippled through the room. Every head turned toward me in shock.

Claire’s friends tried to smooth things over.

"He must be too excited—he just misspoke! I think what he meant was the wedding starts now!"

"Exactly, he’s just nervous. First-time grooms always mess up a little."

But I stood there, unmoved. Nervous? Not even close.

"You heard me right. This wedding is canceled. It shouldn’t be me marrying Claire—it should be Ryan."

The room went dead quiet. People who knew the truth exchanged quick glances; those who didn’t were getting agitated, especially Mr. and Mrs. Dawson.

They had never liked me, always treating me like some outsider who didn’t deserve their daughter.

I had worked for years to win them over. They had demanded I buy a luxury condo in Manhattan and a car worth at least six figures.

I did all of it. And still, every word out of their mouths carried that smug sense that they’d gotten the better end of the deal.

Now Mrs. Dawson nearly lunged at me, her face twisted with rage.

"Ethan Miller, do you know what day this is? How dare you pull a stunt like this and trample all over our family’s dignity!"

"I never liked you—you’re not even from New York! No manners, no class—and where are your parents? Not even here to see their son get married!"

"Claire marrying you is the best thing that’s ever happened to you. We agreed only because you seemed quiet and dependable, and this is how you repay us?"

Her voice broke into a wail as she went on, even accusing me of having another woman.

"No one humiliates my daughter like this. I’ll make sure you pay!"

She grabbed a plate off the table and hurled it at me.

Guests scrambled to calm her down.

"There must be some misunderstanding. Maybe the couple is just joking around. They love each other—he wouldn’t do this otherwise."

Under everyone’s coaxing, Mrs. Dawson finally calmed down enough to sneer at me:

"Ethan, get down on your knees right now and apologize to me and my daughter. If you do, I’ll pretend I never heard what you just said."

I stood still, letting her rant.

I had expected this. For years, every time I did something she didn’t like, she’d threaten to call the wedding off.

I had always backed down.

I told myself Claire loved me, told myself that whatever happened, it was our life together on the line.

Claire had always pleaded with me.

"Ethan, I know my mom can be unreasonable, but she just cares about me."

"Do it for me. Be patient with her, meet her demands. Please."

Because of that, I had run myself ragged. When Mrs. Dawson was hospitalized, I took care of everything. When Mr. Dawson got sick, I was there, personally looking after him—Claire never even showed up.

She told me she was on a business trip with Ryan. Looking back, I bet the two of them were off enjoying their little honeymoon.

"I’m not apologizing," I said flatly. "Honestly, I didn’t even want to go through with this wedding. And if you want a reason, why don’t you ask your daughter?"

I turned to Claire, met her panicked gaze, and said coldly,

"You don’t even love me. Why force yourself? If Ryan is the one you want, then go be with him. I’ll do you the favor of stepping aside."

Every eye in the room swung toward Claire. She looked like a deer caught in headlights.

Her relatives and friends started whispering among themselves.

"Haven’t they always been so close? The Dawsons should be lucky to have a son-in-law like him."

"He’s been nothing but devoted, and now suddenly he doesn’t want to get married? Something must have happened."

"I always said Claire wasn’t as innocent as she looked. I’ve seen her out with other men plenty of times."

"No man would put up with that kind of betrayal."

The whispers turned into a chorus of suspicion, jealousy, and speculation, and Claire’s face grew paler by the second.

Mrs. Dawson snapped back, furious.

"Don’t you dare slander my daughter! If you’re going to accuse her, show me proof. Or I’ll sue you for defamation!"

Then she turned on me again.

"I see what this is. You played the obedient son-in-law just long enough to win us over, and now you humiliate us on purpose!"

"You think you can hold my daughter hostage with this drama? Forget it!"

"Either explain yourself right now, get down on your knees and apologize, or there’s no wedding at all!"

"Mom!" Claire rushed forward and grabbed her mother’s arm.

"Mom, it’s all a misunderstanding. Ethan’s been with me for so long, I know he truly loves me. He probably just misunderstood my friendship with Ryan."

She lowered her head, tears in her eyes, playing the part of the heartbroken bride.

She looked at me pleadingly.

"Ethan, I’ve told you before—Ryan and I are just close friends."

"I know it looks suspicious since we’re always together, but Ryan’s gay. To me, he’s like a sister. I never saw him as a man."

"If it bothers you so much, fine. After we’re married, I won’t see him anymore."