The Bride Who Cancelled the Wedding

To send me off in style, my mother had taken my grandmother's heirloom jade set out of the safe just for me—the necklace, the earrings, and the bracelet, all three pieces.

But on the morning of the wedding, the jade jewelry I'd left in my drawer was simply gone.

My mother was frantic, ready to call the police.

It wasn't only the jade's steep value. It carried a special meaning too.

Just as my father decided to call the police as well, I suddenly remembered how Dick Gilbert had gone on and on about my jade the day before.

"Mom, Dad, hold off on the police. Let me ask Dick first."

I called, and Dick admitted it without a shred of hesitation.

"Babe, I took your jade jewelry."

"I'm wearing it today at the wedding. Why did you take it?"

"It's Serena's birthday today, and she didn't have the right pieces to dress up in, so I let her borrow it for now. She'll give it back once she's done."

"I'm getting married today, and you stole my jewelry to put on another woman?"

I forced down the fury surging up in me and asked in a cold voice.

"Stole? It's just a loan, she'll return it. Don't be so petty. Serena begged me for ages, I could hardly say no, could I?"

"Your family has plenty of jewelry. Wear something else for now. It's settled."

"Now be good, get your hair and makeup done. I'll come to get you soon."

...

Dick's careless tone, edged even with a faint note of reproach, made my heart stop dead in my chest.

All at once, five years of love felt like nothing at all.

In his mind, all that woman named Serena Locke—his first love, the one that got away—had to do was open her mouth, just a little, and he would give up everything to please her.

While I, his actual girlfriend, the woman about to become his wife, ended up being the fool.

Maybe Dick sensed on some level that what he'd done didn't quite hold up.

Because his tone shifted, softening: "Babe."

"You know Serena saved my life back then."

"I promise you."

"There's nothing between us."

"We're just ordinary friends."

"She came to me and asked."

"I couldn't turn her down."

"Be good, don't get worked up."

"I'll make it up to you later."

Since I had the call on speaker, my parents heard every word.

Before I could say anything, my mother snatched the phone. However composed a law firm owner she usually was, her face was full of anger now. "Dick, you've been with my daughter for five years."

"You two worked so hard to get to this wedding."

"Are you trying to wreck today's wedding?"

Dick's voice came through the phone, explaining.

"Mom, don't worry."

"I'd never wreck the wedding."

"I know where the line is."

My father let out a cold laugh. "You know where the line is, and you still sneak your wife's jewelry off to another woman?"

"Dad, I didn't steal it, I just borrowed it for a while."

"Don't call me Dad."

His face darkened. "If that jewelry isn't back where it belongs before you come for her, then don't bother coming at all."

Before Dick could get another word out, my mother hung up.

My father patted my shoulder gently. "Sweetheart, your mom and I will never force you into any decision. But whatever you choose to do—"

"We'll always be the strongest thing standing behind you!"