A Cold Wife, Sweet Husband

Mary ran over to them. ―I'm sorry, Mr. Allen. I tried to stop her. He smiled at her. ―You can call me Brad. We've known each other long enough. There's no need to worry about my sister. Leo isn't here so she can't talk him out of marrying her.

―This was done on purpose, wasn't it? Jessica fumed. He shrugged. ―There might have been some concern that you would resort to harassing him before the wedding.

―Harassing?

―Certainly. You'll break his heart if you don't marry him. She stomped her foot on the ground. ―Doesn't anyone care about my feelings? ―Of course, we do, Mary gently insisted.

―That's why we want to see you with him.

―I refuse to go through with this! She ran to the entrance. They gasped and chased her. Brad managed to jump in front of her as she reached the doorway but she quickly darted around him and left the church.

―You're getting the hem of the dress dirty! Mrs. Parker protested when she saw her run down the steps. Dirt was the least of her concerns, so she ran right past the seamstress. Brad caught up to her and wrapped his arms around her so she couldn't run anymore. He picked her up and took her back to the bridal chamber. Turning to Mary, he said,

―Lock the door from the outside so she can't get back out until it's time for the ceremony.

―You can't betray me like this, Jessica screamed to Mary as she fought to get out of her brother's arms.

―You're supposed to be my best friend. Her friend looked sympathetically at her. ―It's because I'm your best friend that I'm going to do as your brother said. I honestly believe you'll be giving up a wonderful husband if you don't marry Leo.

―You'll thank us someday, Brad agreed. He dropped her in a chair and kept her in place until Mary shut and locked the door. Mary stood outside the room so she could unlock it when it was time for the wedding. Jessica had never felt more betrayed in her life. Her brother and best friend were active participants in the worst day of her life. ―I'll never forgive either of you for this, she loudly stated so Mary could hear her from the other side of the door.

―Yes, you will, he simply replied, not disturbed by her anger at him.

―You've been mad at me for worse things.

―I can't think of what's worse than this. She crossed her arms and turned away from him. Just because he was in the room, it didn't mean she had to look at or speak to him. She considered her options. One, she could continue to try to talk sense into her brother and friend. That, however, didn't seem to be working. The more she protested, the more they wanted to see her with Leo. So she thought over her other option. She could say no when the preacher asked if she would fulfill her marital vows.

She was nervous enough about being in front of a church full of people, but it was an option worth considering. Sure, her family and friends would be upset. But they weren't the ones being forced into this marriage. Naturally, they wouldn't care if her heart was breaking over it. She finally decided that she would simply refuse to marry him during the ceremony. She spent the rest of the hour in silence. Her brother tried to reason with her but she ignored him. She even refused to look at him. Mary unlocked the door.

―Everyone is ready for the bride.

―Don't you mean, Leo Monroe is ready for the bride'? Jessica sarcastically stated.

―Jessica, please don't make a scene out there, her brother pleaded with her.

―Leo's a good man who honestly cares for you. He doesn't deserve to look like a fool on his wedding day. She didn't respond. She stood up and stomped past Mary and Julie who had been waiting outside the door. She briefly noted that Mary looked upset, but she had a feeling that Mary wasn't upset about the wedding, her or Leo. Something else is bothering her. She has that same look she gets when she hears unpleasant news. Julie was grinning from ear to ear, so, whatever was bothering Mary, it had nothing to do with Julie. Mrs. Parker handed her the white flowers.

―You do look lovely. The dress enhances your figure. Mr. Monroe will be pleased. She gritted her teeth so she wouldn't roll her eyes. She waited as Julie and Brad walked down the aisle and separated so that Julie stood on her side and Brad went to Leo's side. She couldn't see the altar but knew that this was the procedure. Mary and Nathan followed. Then it was her turn. She didn't bother to look at her father as she put her hand on his arm.

―Jessica, must you be cold on your wedding day?

he sadly whispered.

―Are you surprised? You know very well that I don't want to be here, she whispered back. He sighed. ―I had wished my last day here would be a joyous one. She glanced at him. ―You're leaving today? ―After the reception. She forced back her tears. She didn't want people whispering to each other and wondering why she was crying. She took a deep breath and looked ahead. ―I love you, honey, he said. ―I wouldn't be giving you to Leo if I didn't believe he was the right one for you. She couldn't respond. If she started telling him that she loved him too, then she would cry