Nick’s father stood up, red with embarrassment.
“Nicholas, how dare you embarrass our family like this?”
Nick turned toward him helplessly.
Lori faced the guests desperately.
“Nick and I are still getting married!”
A man near the aisle laughed.
“With what money?”
The caterer answered flatly.
“Not without payment.”
Lori turned to me, furious.
“You can’t ruin everything.”
I looked at her standing there in my wedding dress.
“You wanted the wedding,” I said calmly. “I’m just giving it to you — bills included.”
Then I turned and walked toward the doors.
Behind me, one of my bridesmaids said, “I’m with her.”
Another followed.
Then rows of guests began standing and leaving.
By the time I reached the doors, most of the church was walking out with me.
Nick shouted after me.
“You can’t just walk away!”
I glanced back once.
Nick and Lori stood surrounded by vendors demanding payment.
Nick’s father was yelling at my mother. My dad stood across from her, his disappointment obvious.
Then I stepped outside into the sunlight.
Their plan had been exposed.
And for the first time all day, I felt completely free.
