The Wedding Morning: Whispers of Doubt and Silent Pain
The morning sun streamed through the gauzy curtains of the bridal suite, casting a golden glow over Jessica as she sat perfectly still in front of the vanity. The makeup artist worked meticulously, blending shades and dusting highlights, but Jessica's mind was far from the soft brushes and the hum of hairdryers.
Her reflection stared back at her—flawless, serene, the picture of a blushing bride. But behind the carefully crafted image, her thoughts churned. The memory of Josh's drunken words at the bar echoed in her mind like a relentless whisper: "Hardworking wife means easy life." The way he had gripped her hand yesterday—too tight, too possessive—sent a shiver down her spine. Was this a glimpse of what marriage to him would be? Would he always see her as a convenience, a means to an easier life? Would he try to control her, the way her father had controlled her mother?
She flexed her fingers unconsciously, recalling the sting of his hold.
"Jessica?" The makeup artist's voice pulled her back. "You need to relax your forehead, or the foundation will crease."
Jessica forced a smile. "Right. Sorry."
Meanwhile, Percy stood alone on the terrace of the venue, gripping the railing as if it were the only thing keeping him grounded.
The gardens below were a flurry of activity—chairs being arranged, flowers being pinned, the distant murmur of guests arriving. He should have been helping, should have been distracting himself with tasks, but every time he tried to move, his feet felt rooted in place.
He had spent the entire morning convincing himself—and everyone else—that he was fine. He had laughed with Pabling, joked with MJ, even reassured Mrs. Rachel with a practiced smile when she pulled him aside earlier.
"Percy," she had said, her voice low with concern, "are you really okay?"
"Of course," he had replied smoothly. "Why wouldn't I be?"
Annette had given him a knowing look but said nothing.
Now, alone, he let the mask slip. His chest ached with a dull, persistent throb, the kind that came from swallowing too much unsaid truth. He had known this day would come. Had prepared for it. But seeing her—really seeing her—in that dress, about to vow her life to someone else…
He exhaled sharply, running a hand through his hair.
"Get it together," he muttered to himself.
Back in the bridal suite, Annette slipped inside, closing the door softly behind her.
The makeup artist had stepped out for a moment, leaving the sisters alone.
Annette studied Jessica's reflection in the mirror. "You're thinking about yesterday, aren't you?"
Jessica didn't answer immediately, her fingers toying with the lace of her sleeve.
"What if I'm making a mistake?" she whispered finally, the words fragile, like glass about to shatter.
Annette moved closer, resting a hand on her sister's shoulder. "It's normal to have doubts. But Jess… you've known Josh for years. One drunk comment doesn't define him."
"It's not just that," Jessica admitted. "It's the way he held my hand like he was claiming me. Like I was already his property."
Annette's grip tightened slightly. "Then talk to him. Today, before the ceremony. You deserve to walk into this with clarity, not fear."
Jessica nodded slowly, but her eyes remained troubled.
Downstairs, Percy finally forced himself to move, joining the guests milling about the garden.
He pasted on a smile, shaking hands, exchanging pleasantries. No one seemed to notice the way his laughter didn't quite reach his eyes, or how his gaze kept drifting toward the staircase, waiting for her to appear.
Mrs. Rachel caught his arm as he passed. "Percy," she said softly, "you don't have to stay if it's too hard."
He shook his head. "I'm fine, Ma. Really."
But as the first notes of the wedding march began to play, and all heads turned toward the bride, Percy's breath caught in his throat.
Jessica stood at the top of the stairs, radiant, ethereal—everything he had ever dreamed of and everything he could never have.
And as she took her first step toward her future, Percy did the only thing he could.
He let her go.
The Shattered Vows
The garden was bathed in golden sunlight, the air thick with the scent of roses and the quiet rustle of silk as guests leaned forward in their seats. The minister's voice, warm and steady, carried across the gathered crowd.
"Joshua , do you take Jessica to be your lawfully wedded wife, to have and to hold, from this day forward?"
Josh didn't hesitate. "I do." His voice was firm, almost triumphant, as if he'd already won.
The minister turned to Jessica, his smile kind. "Jessica , do you take Joshua to be your lawfully wedded husband, to love and to cherish, till death do you part?"
Silence.
Jessica's hands trembled around her bouquet. Her lips parted, but no words came out. The guests shifted, exchanging glances.
Then, softly at first, her voice cut through the tension like a knife.
"...Really, Josh? An easy life?"
Josh stiffened. The color drained from his face.
Jessica's voice grew stronger, laced with something raw and wounded. "Out of all the men who courted me, you were the one I chose. And now I find out this was just… some plan of yours?"
The guests erupted in murmurs. Josh's jaw clenched. "Jessica, not here—"
"Then when, Josh?" Her voice cracked. "After we're married? After I've signed my life over to you?"
Josh's composure snapped. "Just say yes, goddammit!" he snarled, loud enough for everyone to hear.
Gasps rippled through the crowd. Jessica recoiled as if struck. For one terrible second, the world seemed to freeze—then, with a choked sob, she flung her bouquet to the ground and ran, her veil tearing away as she vanished into the manor.
Chaos erupted. Guests stood in shock; whispers exploded like wildfire. Josh remained frozen at the altar, his fists clenched, his face a mask of fury and something else—guilt.
Percy's Reaction
Percy, who had been standing at the back with forced neutrality, blinked slowly. "Well. That was… surreal."
Uncle Ted's hand clamped down on his shoulder like a vice. "Don't," he warned, his voice low. "Don't go after her."
Percy didn't shrug him off. "I know," he said quietly. "Right now, she needs her family. Not me."
Uncle Ted exhaled in relief, but his grip didn't loosen.
Near the front row, Mrs. Rachel immediately wrapped an arm around Jessica's mother, who had gone pale with horror. Annette and Alexa were already sprinting after Jessica, their heels clicking against the stone path.
The Fallout
MJ and Pabling materialized at Percy's sides like bodyguards.
"We're leaving," MJ muttered. "Now."
Percy frowned. "Why—?"
"Because," Pabling interrupted, steering him firmly toward the exit, "that bastard over there looks like he's about to blame you for this."
Sure enough, Josh's glare was locked onto Percy, his eyes burning with accusation.
Uncle Ted stepped between them, his voice a growl. "Don't even think about it, boy."
Josh opened his mouth—then snapped it shut, his shoulders heaving. Whatever secret he was hiding, it wasn't worth exposing now.
Jessica's Breakdown
Upstairs, Jessica collapsed onto her childhood bed, her breath coming in ragged gasps. Annette and Alexa burst in seconds later.
"Jess—" Annette reached for her, but Jessica shook her head violently.
"He used me," she whispered. "All this time, he just wanted—what? A maid with a paycheck?"
Alexa, usually so sharp-tongued, sat beside her and gently pried the crumpled veil from her death grip. "Then good riddance," she said simply.
Annette's phone buzzed. A text from MJ: "We got Percy out. Josh looks like he's about to explode."
Jessica let out a hollow laugh. "Of course he's mad. His easy life just walked out the door."
The Aftermath
Back at the garden, the minister awkwardly dismissed the guests. Josh stormed off without another word, leaving behind a trail of whispers.
Mrs. Rachel, ever the diplomat, began ushering people toward the reception area with a strained smile. "Please, everyone—enjoy the food. There's no reason to waste it."
But the wedding was over.
And as Percy drove away with MJ and Pabling, the weight of what had just happened settled over him.
Josh had shown his true colors.
Jessica was free.
And somehow, that hurt more than he'd ever expected.
Flashback: The Truth Behind the Proposal
(Six Months Earlier – A Dimly Lit Bar Downtown)
Josh leaned across the sticky table, his fingers drumming against his whiskey glass. Across from him sat his oldest friend, Derek, who smirked as he swirled his drink.
"So? Did you finally propose to that girl you've been chasing?" Derek asked.
Josh snorted. "Not yet. But I will."
"Why her, man? Plenty of women out there."
Josh's grin turned sharp. "Because Jessica Lim is the whole package—smart, gorgeous, and loaded. You think I'm gonna spend my life grinding at some dead-end job when I can marry into that?"
Derek whistled. "Damn. Cold-blooded."
"Practical," Josh corrected, tossing back the rest of his drink. "Love's a fairy tale. Security? That's forever."
Derek hesitated. "Does she know you're in debt?"
Josh's smile vanished. "Keep your mouth shut about that. Once we're married, it won't matter."
Present Day: The Wedding Fallout
Back in the present, Josh stood frozen at the altar, Jessica's shattered bouquet at his feet. The whispers of the guests felt like knives against his skin.
"She figured it out," he realized with dawning horror.
His mind raced to the bar last night—how drunk he'd been, the careless words he'd let slip to his friends. Had Jessica overheard? Or had his mask finally slipped?
Percy's voice cut through his panic from across the garden: "Well. That was surreal."
Josh's head snapped up, his fury redirecting. This was Percy's fault. If Percy hadn't been lingering around, making Jessica doubt him—
But Uncle Ted's warning glare stopped him mid-step.
"Don't even think about it, boy."
Josh clenched his fists. His perfect plan—his escape—was crumbling. And now everyone would know the truth.
Jessica's Realization
Upstairs, Jessica pressed her forehead against the cool windowpane, the flashback of last night replaying in her mind:
Now, as Annette rubbed her back, Jessica whispered, "He never loved me. It was all a transaction."
Alexa, ever blunt, tossed Josh's abandoned boutonniere into the trash. "His loss. Now you're free."
Percy's Silent Resolve
In the car, Percy stared out the window, MJ and Pabling silent beside him.
"You okay?" MJ finally asked.
Percy's jaw tightened. "She deserved better."
And for the first time, he allowed himself to wonder—what if she gets it now?