“Mr. White, I’ve decided to join the research exchange program,” Sandra Hudson said as she struggled to remove her hair accessories and earrings.
She heard Marcus White sigh with relief on the other end of the call.
“Sandra, I’m glad that you’ve thought it through. Are you really sure about this? After all, we can’t return so easily once we leave. Although the opportunity is very rare, you’re still a newlywed. Will it be alright for you?”
“Thank you for your concern, Mr. White, but I’ve thought it through. Everything will be fine in two weeks. I’ll hand over the necessary tasks on my end and meet you then.”
After ending the call, Sandra felt a little flustered as she looked at herself in the mirror.
At her wedding just a while ago, someone shouted, “Keith, Ivy is about to commit suicide!”
Keith Farmer, who was about to put the ring on Sandra’s finger, paused. He turned around and strode off the stage.
He did not think about his bride, who was still standing at the altar. Instead, he took the phone of his best man, Carl Watson, and scrolled the screen nervously.
Sandra’s parents stood up at that moment. They anxiously walked over to Keith, checking the phone he was holding. They also wanted to know Ivy Foreman’s situation.
The melody from the violin and piano paused abruptly as the guests whispered amongst each other.
Keith grabbed Carl’s arm and anxiously asked, “Where is she?”
Carl whispered a response.
Keith was about to leave after listening to Carl, but Sandra grabbed him immediately and said,
“Keith, this is the eighth time she’s attempted suicide this month. It’s our wedding today. Are you sure you want to leave?”
Keith pushed Sandra’s hand away and replied, “I’d still go even if there was a slim chance she went through with it. This is a person’s life we’re talking about. How could you be so cold-hearted?”
Sandra’s parents added, “Sandra, the wedding can be held again, but if anything bad happens to Ivy, all of us will regret it.”
‘The wedding can be held again?’
Sandra was about to break down. One should only have one wedding in a lifetime.
“Does that mean that each time I get married, I have to cancel it just because Ivy makes a fuss?”
With his bloodshot eyes, Keith furiously yelled, “That’s enough!”
The hope in Sandra’s eyes dimmed. “Keith, we’re done if you leave today.”
Keith shook off Sandra’s hand. “Why don’t you have any empathy? Ivy should be the one standing here marrying me today, do you know that?”
‘She should be the one?’
Sandra smiled bitterly and retracted her hand. Disappointed, she watched as Keith and her parents left together.
Sandra was left alone, drowned by overwhelming laughter as she pulled off her veil slowly.
She then took the microphone from the host and announced, “Thank you, everyone, for
