Chapter 2The Wedding Day Shakedown

"Let's round it off to 66,000 dollars."

"How much?"

"66,000 dollars."

Megan's tone was flat, as if she were talking about what to have for dinner.

"Didn't we agree on 6,600 dollars? I already paid 30,000 for the wedding gifts. How can the send-off fee suddenly jump tenfold?" My voice was shaking.

Megan picked impatiently at her freshly done nails. "My brother owes some money and needs it fast. You're about to be his brother-in-law. What's wrong with helping out a little?"

"Those are gambling debts! Loan shark money!" I couldn't help yelling. "Johnny is a bottomless pit. Nobody could ever fill him up!"

Megan's face darkened, and she slapped the bed hard. "Vince! What are you yelling for? He's my brother! Just tell me whether you're paying or not."

Jeanie fanned the flames from the side. "Oh my. You're not even married yet, and he's already yelling at his wife. Imagine what he'll be like later!

"Meg, you have to get this money. It's insurance for your brother, and it'll show us Vince's determination to marry you."

I looked at Megan, searching her face for even a hint of sympathy or hesitation.

There was none. Only coldness and entitlement.

"Where am I supposed to get 60,000 dollars right now? Even selling my kidney wouldn't cover that!" I was practically begging. "Meg, for the sake of our five years together, please stop this, okay? We're really going to miss the ceremony."

Megan gave a cold laugh. "If you don't have the money, don't touch me. If you can't come up with it, I'm not putting my shoes on."

The whole room full of relatives was watching the show, and some had even taken out their phones to record it. Jeanie stood with her arms crossed, looking smug. Megan's face was icy, as if I were a total stranger.

At that moment, something inside me snapped.

Five years of deliveries had run my legs ragged and burned the skin off my back. I'd scrimped and saved, never daring to buy new clothes or eat out, all to give her a home.

And in her eyes, I was nothing but an ATM. I wasn't even worth one of her gambler brother's toes.

Screw this wedding.

I slowly stood up and brushed the dust off my knees. "Fine."

Megan thought I'd caved, and the corners of her mouth had just started curling into a smug smile when I pulled out my phone in front of everyone.

I opened my chat with my real estate agent, Gabe Collins, and held down the voice message button. "Gabe, list the house now. Urgent sale. The price is negotiable. Cash buyers only, and the faster, the better."

When I finished, I stuffed my phone back into my pocket, turned, and walked out.

Megan froze, her smile stiffening on her face.

Jeanie came to her senses and pointed at me, yelling, "Vince! Who are you trying to scare? If you've got the guts, don't come back!"

Megan panicked too. "If you walk out that door, don't ever expect me to take you back!"

I didn't even break stride. I kicked a chair out of my way. "I'm calling off the wedding."

When the driver saw me come downstairs, he poked his head out. "So, did you get her? Are we heading out?"

I waved him off, ripped the boutonniere off my chest, and threw it in the trash. "We're not going anywhere. Everyone can go home."

The driver was stunned. "Go home? But the ceremony time..."

"The wedding's off. Thanks for making the trip, guys. I'll still pay you the tips."

I transferred the money to the head of the wedding car fleet and watched the row of Audis decorated with "Just Married" signs slowly drive away.

I felt hollow inside.

I hopped straight onto the electric delivery scooter parked in the corner. It had been my trusty partner back when I did deliveries, and I'd never had the heart to get rid of it. I never would've guessed that on the day I went to pick up my bride, it would be the thing I ended up counting on.

My phone was vibrating like crazy in my pocket. I didn't need to look to know my family was calling. My mom, Cathy Ridley, had high blood pressure, so I had to get there fast.

I stopped at a convenience store on the way and bought the cheapest pack of cigarettes they had. I lit one and took a deep drag, coughing until tears streamed down my face.

When I got to the hotel, the welcome arch was still standing by the entrance. It read, "Congratulations, Vince & Megan!"

It looked like a sick joke.

My mom stood at the entrance in a brand-new mother-of-the-bride dress, looking around anxiously. When she saw me walk in alone, her expression changed instantly.