The Groom Who Stayed

Mom's crying. "Hannah, we messed up before. But this time, we're really here to bless your marriage!"

Dad's voice cracks. "I know you hate us, but we had our reasons. All I've ever wanted is to see you walk down that aisle."

He claps Leroy's shoulder, eyes soft. "You clearly love her. Just know—marrying into old money's no joke. Take care of my girl."

Leroy glances at me. "They're all dressed up. I think they actually came to support us."

I stay quiet. Seen this scene four times already.

Every time, it was the same act—tears, promises, begging the groom to protect me. Then bam—we'd barely step outside before their faces flipped and they dragged us straight to court for a divorce.

But this time...

Dad pulled out a bank card, eyes glassy. "Hannah, there's $40K on here. From your mom and me."

He looked at Leroy. "I know your family's loaded. Maybe this isn't much to you. But our daughter deserves everything. And if your people ever mess with her—we'll come swinging."

I stared at the card, chest tight.

After two years away, I finally saw it—they'd gotten older. A lot older.

"Hannah, if you don't want us at the wedding, we'll stay out of it. We just came to drop off your gift."

I wiped my tears, eyeing the car. "What about the wedding car...?"

They followed my gaze, then pulled me into a hug. "We checked. It's safe. You and Leroy are gonna be just fine."

I couldn't wrap my head around it.

Was the car actually okay this time?

Leroy shouted from behind, "Babe, let's go! Get in!"

The second I stepped forward, my legs buckled.

That same nightmare slammed back into my head.

I was frozen.

I couldn't take getting yanked out of a wedding car for the fifth time.

"Let's just walk to the hotel."

My parents shared a guilty glance.

"Hannah, we swear—we're not stopping you this time."

Leroy saw me shaking and clapped his hands.

A rose-covered helicopter swooped down and landed right in front of us.

Grinning, he held out his hand. "I knew this still haunted you. So I made a backup plan. No car today—we're flying."

For a second, it felt like magic. My legs steadied.

But the moment I reached for him and moved toward the cabin, my parents stepped in front of us.

Their eyes were still teary, but their faces had gone cold.

Dread crashed into me.

I already knew how this wedding would end.

"Hannah, I'm sorry. I can't let you get on that helicopter."