Locked Out of My Own Wedding - Chapter 4: Chapter 4
You are reading Locked Out of My Own Wedding, Chapter 4: Chapter 4. Read more chapters of Locked Out of My Own Wedding.
My parents exchanged a glance while Olivia muttered "shameless" under her breath and furiously tapped away on her phone, no doubt ranting to someone.
I stared at Alexander's retreating figure, my emotions tangled.
It wasn't until our fifth year together that things finally settled into something steady.
That was when we first celebrated our anniversary with gifts—he clasped a necklace around my neck and tentatively asked, "Should we meet each other's parents?"
I agreed.
We visited his family first. His mom pressed a thick red envelope into my hands, and Sophia's parents thanked me for looking after their daughter, gifting me a pair of delicate bracelets.
Alexander knew I was uneasy, so the next day at my place, he made himself useful—helping in the kitchen, pouring tea, doing everything to win my parents over.
He visited often after that, and soon, everyone was saying my parents had lucked out with their future son-in-law.
Now, those memories seemed to flicker across my parents' faces.
My dad let out a quiet sigh. "What a mess."
My mom studied me. "Should we kick him out?"
Dad, ever the peacemaker, cut in. "He seems genuine. And we know about Sophia's family situation. Can't really blame Alexander for that." He patted my hand. "Give him one more chance. If it doesn't work out, next time, I won't even let him through the door."
Beside me, Olivia rolled her eyes so hard I almost laughed.
When Alexander returned from the kitchen with dishes, he caught me smiling and visibly relaxed.
He ushered us to the table like he owned the place—more at home here than my own parents.
Not wanting to defy Dad, I pulled out a chair and sat.
Olivia plopped down on my left, and as Alexander moved to take the seat on my right, she snatched the chair back with a sugary smile. "Sorry, this one's taken."
Just then, a knock sounded at the door. Olivia darted over and swung it open, revealing a tall, lean figure—her brother, Noah.
Noah planted himself on my right, standing half a head taller than Alexander.
Now, the siblings had me boxed in, cutting Alexander off completely.
Olivia piled meat onto my plate while Noah, quieter, methodically peeled shrimp with gloved hands before sliding them onto the small dish beside me.
Anyone could see they were for me.
And anyone could see Alexander had lost his appetite.
Halfway through dinner, Alexander's phone rang.
A soft, pleading voice floated through. "Alexander, the surgery's tonight. Aren't you coming to stay with me?"
The table went dead silent.
Alexander froze. "Your parents will be there."
He hung up.
Dad's expression softened slightly.
Only I felt a cold weight in my chest—unsure if I was mocking Alexander or myself.
Sure enough, the phone rang again moments later.
This time, ragged breaths and sobs. "Alexander, I only want you. It hurts so much… Please, come stay with me? This might be… our last time…"
A sharp clack as Dad slammed his fork down.
Alexander's gaze darted between Dad and me. I could see the tendons in his hand straining around the phone.
I picked up another shrimp and said flatly, "Go."
Like I'd handed him a lifeline, he shot me a grateful look and stood. "Amelia, when I get back, I'll make it up to you—the wedding will be even bigger."
I'd planned to let it slide, to talk about breaking up later without ruining the night.
But he just had to push it.
I set my fork down, wiped my mouth, and stood too. "I'll come with you. Let's see her one last time."
Alexander hesitated. "…Alright."
I stared at Alexander's retreating figure, my emotions tangled.
It wasn't until our fifth year together that things finally settled into something steady.
That was when we first celebrated our anniversary with gifts—he clasped a necklace around my neck and tentatively asked, "Should we meet each other's parents?"
I agreed.
We visited his family first. His mom pressed a thick red envelope into my hands, and Sophia's parents thanked me for looking after their daughter, gifting me a pair of delicate bracelets.
Alexander knew I was uneasy, so the next day at my place, he made himself useful—helping in the kitchen, pouring tea, doing everything to win my parents over.
He visited often after that, and soon, everyone was saying my parents had lucked out with their future son-in-law.
Now, those memories seemed to flicker across my parents' faces.
My dad let out a quiet sigh. "What a mess."
My mom studied me. "Should we kick him out?"
Dad, ever the peacemaker, cut in. "He seems genuine. And we know about Sophia's family situation. Can't really blame Alexander for that." He patted my hand. "Give him one more chance. If it doesn't work out, next time, I won't even let him through the door."
Beside me, Olivia rolled her eyes so hard I almost laughed.
When Alexander returned from the kitchen with dishes, he caught me smiling and visibly relaxed.
He ushered us to the table like he owned the place—more at home here than my own parents.
Not wanting to defy Dad, I pulled out a chair and sat.
Olivia plopped down on my left, and as Alexander moved to take the seat on my right, she snatched the chair back with a sugary smile. "Sorry, this one's taken."
Just then, a knock sounded at the door. Olivia darted over and swung it open, revealing a tall, lean figure—her brother, Noah.
Noah planted himself on my right, standing half a head taller than Alexander.
Now, the siblings had me boxed in, cutting Alexander off completely.
Olivia piled meat onto my plate while Noah, quieter, methodically peeled shrimp with gloved hands before sliding them onto the small dish beside me.
Anyone could see they were for me.
And anyone could see Alexander had lost his appetite.
Halfway through dinner, Alexander's phone rang.
A soft, pleading voice floated through. "Alexander, the surgery's tonight. Aren't you coming to stay with me?"
The table went dead silent.
Alexander froze. "Your parents will be there."
He hung up.
Dad's expression softened slightly.
Only I felt a cold weight in my chest—unsure if I was mocking Alexander or myself.
Sure enough, the phone rang again moments later.
This time, ragged breaths and sobs. "Alexander, I only want you. It hurts so much… Please, come stay with me? This might be… our last time…"
A sharp clack as Dad slammed his fork down.
Alexander's gaze darted between Dad and me. I could see the tendons in his hand straining around the phone.
I picked up another shrimp and said flatly, "Go."
Like I'd handed him a lifeline, he shot me a grateful look and stood. "Amelia, when I get back, I'll make it up to you—the wedding will be even bigger."
I'd planned to let it slide, to talk about breaking up later without ruining the night.
But he just had to push it.
I set my fork down, wiped my mouth, and stood too. "I'll come with you. Let's see her one last time."
Alexander hesitated. "…Alright."
End of Locked Out of My Own Wedding Chapter 4. Continue reading Chapter 5 or return to Locked Out of My Own Wedding book page.