Chapter 3
Everything else goes pretty smoothly, and we’re finally ready for the ceremony. But right before we walk down the aisle, Mason’s grandma suddenly pulls my mom aside.[]
Something feels off. I try to shake it, telling myself I’m just overthinking
Mason and I walk down the aisle together. The officiant gives his blessing, the MC wraps up his opening speech. According to our rehearsal, we should be exchanging vows next.
But suddenly the MC goes off script: “Ladies and gentlemen, we have a special surprise tradition today!“]
Nobody told me about any damn surprise. I glance at Mason and tug his sleeve, but he won’t look at me. He looks guilty as hell
This is a beloved tradition from the groom’s family,” the MC announces. “The bride needs to prove she’s worthy of joining the family through a special ceremony of… humility!“]
What the hell is he talking about? Before I can even ask, several groomsmen suddenly grab me.[]
“What are you doing? Get your hands off me!”
My bridesmaids rush to help, but these guys are massive and my girls can’t break through
The whole place erupts into chaos.
“Mason! What the fuck is this?” I yell.]
Mason looks like he wants to crawl into a hole. “Babe, it’s just this old family tradition. If you don’t do it, my family won’t accept you as… you know… officially part of the family.”
“Just go with it, okay? I’ll make it up to you later, I swear!”
Someone kicks the back of my knees and I go down hard. Ethan’s pressing my head down while I’m on all fours.
“Mr. and Mrs. Carter, come on over!” he shouts to Mason’s parents
That’s when it hits me–their sick “tradition” is making me crawl on my hands and knees while his entire family walks over me like I’m some kind of… doormat. [
“Baby, just hang in there! It’s almost over! Mason’s voice is shaking like he’s the victim here.[]
But he’s just standing there. Watching his family humiliate me. Not lifting a finger to stop it.
Mason’s parents step over my back first, then his grandpa, his uncle, his cousin.
“Mason, you fucking coward!” I scream, but the groomsmen just push down harder.]
I hear Riley’s voice right by my ear, dripping with fake sympathy: “It’s just family tradition, Lily. If you really want to be with Mason, you gotta prove you can handle it.“]
My hair’s completely destroyed, my wedding dress is getting dirty from being on the floor and people stepping near me.]
They made sure to send my mom away so she wouldn’t see this shit show. Some of my relatives try to rush the stage, but Mason’s family forms a wall around me. 0
The whole venue’s going crazy. I feel completely hopeless. Is this really what my dream wedding was supposed to be?
After what feels like forever, they finally let me up. I’m done. Completely fucking done.]
My bridesmaids, looking as shell–shocked as I feel, help me stand and start walking me toward the exit. But then Mason’s mother pipes up again.]
“Hold on there, sweetie. We’re not quite finished.”
“SCREW THIS! I’m out!” I shout at the old witch.
But they block my way. Mason’s family drags out a huge bucket reeking of shit.
“Now Lily,” Mason’s mom says with this sick smile, “you need to reach in here and pull out these plastic babies. However many you find, that’s how many sons you’ll give our family.“]
“Are you people insane? I’m not putting my hand in that disgusting shit!”
“Come on, babe… this is it, I promise. Last thing. Please just… just do what my mom says.” Mason’s practically on his knees, begging me.
Looking at his spineless face makes me want to puke, I kick off my heels and try to push past them, but Ethan grabs me again.
“We told you to do something, so do it! Stop being such a drama queen!”
“Don’t fucking touch me!” I’m fighting them off, but my white dress gets splattered with whatever nasty liquid is in that bucket
My wedding is completely destroyed.
My bridesmaids try to reach me, but the other groomsmen block them. Riley’s still running her mouth from the sidelines.
“Come on, guys! Why don’t you teach these stuck–up bitches a lesson?”
“Look how hot they are don’t you want a piece?”
“Rip those dresses right off Show them what real men can dor
Riley’s practically bouncing with excitement, loving every second of this nightmare
The wedding guests are horrified, shouting for them to stop, but Mason’s parents keep insisting this is “normal”
“You don’t just marry into the Carter family without earning it,” they announce.[]
“This girl needs to learn her place if she wants to be our daughter–in–law.“]
Riley’s got her arm linked with Mason’s mom, playing the perfect little angel. “You’re so smart, Mrs. Carter! After today, she’ll know exactly who runs the show.“[]
Mason’s mom’s grinning like the devil. “I could tell this one was going to be trouble from day one. Thank God you suggested
putting her in her place! Once she’s in our f
family, she better learn to shut up and do what she’s told.“]
“But honey, if you were marrying my Mason. I’d never put you through any of this.“]
“Such a shame you two couldn’t make it work… I would’ve loved having you as a daughter–in–law.”
Riley sighs dramatically. “Oh, Mrs. Carter, you’ll always be like a mother to me.”
“Mason’s married or not, nothing’s ever going to change how I feel about him.”
Hearing their little heart–to–heart, I see red. Pure, blinding rage takes over.
0
I twist around and bite Ethan’s arm so hard I taste blood. He screams and lets go.
I stumble to the nearest table, grab two wine bottles–one in each hand–and smash them over the heads of the assholes who were grabbing my bridesmaids.
Blood everywhere.
“Lily… what the hell is wrong with you?”
?” Mason stares at me like I’m the crazy one. Like I just committed murder.]
“They were just messing around! Did you really have to hurt them?”
I drop the broken glass and slap Mason so hard my hand stings. When Riley tries to get between us, she gets one too.
Finally, dead silence.
“Just messing around? You call that messing around, Mason?”
“How about I ‘mess around with you the same way and see how you like it?”
“This wedding’s over. I’m done with all of you psychos!”
“You and your whole fucked–up family can kiss my ass!“]
I turn to face all the shocked wedding guests and give them a deep bow.]
“I’m so sorry you all had to witness this insanity. Obviously, there’s not going to be a wedding today. Anyone who brought gifts can get them back at the door–I’ll make sure of it.”
I grab my bridesmaids by the hands and walk out of that hellhole without looking back once.
