Chapter 8 – The Truth About The Groom
Avery >>
"Well then, that's your cross to carry, Dahila," I said with a half-smile, feeling the tiniest bit of satisfaction rise in my chest. "Because I'm no longer going through with that marriage you talked about. My dad's getting treated now, so I don't have anything to worry about anymore."
I tilted my head slightly, smiling at her like I had just won a game I never wanted to play in the first place.
I waited for her to panic. To start begging. Or at least look shocked. But instead, she burst into laughter.
She held her stomach and laughed like I had just told her the funniest joke on Earth.
When she finally stopped, she wiped the corner of her eye and gave me a smirk.
"Oh, Avery," she said with a dry chuckle. "You really thought I'd be stupid enough to use my own hard-earned money to pay for your father's treatment?"
I blinked, confused.
"What are you talking about?" I asked.
"I knew this would happen," she said. "I knew you'd try to back out once your father got help. That's why I didn't spend a single cent of my money."
My smile faded slowly.
"What… what do you mean?" I asked again, my voice barely above a whisper.
Dahila leaned against the wall, her arms folded casually.
"You must be wondering who paid, right?" she said, her voice light. "Well, don't worry. Your new in-laws did."
I stared at her, stunned.
"In-laws?" I repeated with a scoff. "I don't remember having any in-laws, Dahila."
"Wow," she said, placing a hand on her chest dramatically. "Don't tell me you've already forgotten. Just almost an ago, you told me you were going to go through with the marriage. And guess what? I believed you."
"Before you even agreed, I had already informed them that your father's treatment would be part of the deal," she said. "I told them that if you agreed to marry into their family, they'd have to cover the hospital bill. And they agreed."
"So," she continued, "the moment you said yes to the marriage, I called them and gave them the green light. That's why your father was wheeled into surgery. Because they paid."
I couldn't speak.
I just stood there, staring at her. My mind replayed the moment I agreed to the deal like a movie on loop.
I nodded slowly, more to myself than to her.
"Alright then," I said, my voice low. "When is the marriage happening?"
If this were love… if I were marrying someone I adored, someone who made my world stop just by breathing… the wedding date would've been something I was counting down to. It would've been picked months in advance.
But this felt like a funeral.
Dahila smiled again, like she had been waiting for that question all along.
"Since you already agreed," she said, "it's best we move forward as soon as possible. Once you sign the marriage papers, the rest of the money will be transferred to you."
I didn't respond to that. I just repeated the only thing that mattered to me at that moment.
"When is the marriage going to be?"
She looked down at her nails and casually replied, "Tomorrow."
My heart dropped.
"Use today to rest and prepare," she said. "Buy yourself a suit. At least look presentable. This isn't some street wedding."
I didn't say anything else.
There was nothing left to say.
My feet moved on their own, walking out of the hospital slowly.
I knew my dad had already been taken into surgery. And knowing how things worked, they wouldn't let me see him today. Or even tomorrow.
So there was no reason to stay here anymore.
————-
Next Day••••••••••
The sun hit my face before my eyes even opened.
I turned away, groaning softly. My eyelids fluttered, but that stupid light kept poking through the window.
I rubbed my eyes, still half-asleep, and sat up slowly.
I took a deep breath.
My bones felt heavy. My mind was worse. I'd barely slept. My head had been spinning all night with everything that had happened.
My phone buzzed on the nightstand, ringing so loud it almost startled me. I glanced at the screen and groaned when I saw the name.
Dahila.
Of course.
I rolled my eyes and let it ring for a second. I already knew she wouldn't stop until I picked up.
I swiped to answer and held the phone to my ear.
"Avery, where the hell are you?!" she screamed so loud I had to pull the phone away from my ear.
"And who's asking?" I said with a dry tone, not even hiding my irritation.
"It's me, obviously," she snapped. "Why aren't you at the marriage court? Do you know what time it is?! You're supposed to be there for the signing!"
I frowned. "Wait, it's this early?"
"Yes, it's in the morning!" she shouted. "Start getting ready—I'll send you the address."
She hung up before I could say another word.
I let the phone drop beside me and muttered under my breath, "Greedy bitch."
Dragging myself out of bed, I walked to the bathroom like a zombie and splashed water on my face to wake up. Then I stood under the shower, letting the water run over me.
When I stepped out, I towel-dried my hair and walked over to the wardrobe. I flipped it open without thinking, but the moment my eyes landed on that suit, I froze.
It was navy blue, clean, still in its cover.
My chest tightened.
Dad bought it for me on my birthday two years ago… even though I told him not to. I remember the smile on his face when he handed it to me, saying, "You deserve to have something special—even if it's just a suit."
I promised I'd only wear it on a special day—my wedding day.
And here I was. Standing in front of it. A wedding day that didn't feel like mine.
But maybe it still counted… even if it didn't mean love.
"At least it's still my wedding day, right?" I mumbled to myself.
I pulled out the suit and wore it. It fit just like I imagined it would. I combed my hair, checked the mirror, and forced a half-smile.
Dahila texted me the address, and I ordered a cab.
When I arrived at the courthouse, I was led into a quiet room with polished wood floors and a long desk filled with legal documents.
Two members of a legal team were already there, waiting.
Without much of a greeting, they slid a folder toward me and told me to read everything before signing.
I sat down and opened the contract.
It was… intense.
No public scandals.
No dating anyone else.
No divorce, unless approved by the other party.
The marriage would last until the agreed term was over. If I broke any part of it, there would be legal and financial consequences.
And the strangest part?
There was no name. Just "Party A" and "Party B."
Not once did I see the name or the face of the man I was supposed to marry.
I frowned as I looked up.
"Isn't the groom supposed to be here too?" I asked. "Why haven't I seen him?"
No one answered me. One of the lawyers just smiled politely and told me, "Please sign where it's marked, Mr. Avery."
I stared at the paper again.
My hand trembled a little as I picked up the pen and signed.
After everything was sealed, I stood up and walked outside the room.
That was when Dahila came strutting up to me with that annoying fake smile of hers.
"Oh, Avery, you did so well," she said sweetly. "I'm proud of you."
I narrowed my eyes at her. "You're proud of the money, not me."
Her smile twitched.
"Where is the groom? Why wasn't he here to sign his own marriage contract?" I asked.
Dahila shifted on her heels and looked away.
"Well… uhm… he's… he's busy."
I raised an eyebrow. "Busy?"
"Yes! He had a meeting overseas. He had to travel out of the country, so he couldn't make it," she said quickly.
I stared at her, hard.
There was something off in her voice.
"Why do I feel like you're lying?" I asked calmly.
She scoffed. "I'm not lying, Avery. He's a businessman. He has big meetings. This was one of them."
"Why are you lying to him about where the groom is… when you know damn well he's in a coma?"