The entire hall fell into stunned silence.
Lisa's fiancé had just said "NO."
Everyone froze. Lisa's father, David, shot up from his seat, his face darkening with rage as he stormed toward the groom.
"What did you just say?" he growled.
The groom, unfazed, straightened his suit and smirked. "I said NO. I'm not marrying a woman who cheated on me. She's been trying to use me for my money. I don't want a cheater like her as my wife."
The words rang through the hall like a gunshot.
A gasp rippled through the guests. Lisa's face went pale, her lips trembling. Tears welled up in her eyes.
"That's a lie!" she cried.
David's rage erupted. He lunged at the groom, but before he could reach him, the bodyguards stepped in, shoving him back. The groom smirked cruelly.
Stay in your place, old man. You think I didn't investigate? You thought you could sell your daughter off like a business deal? He sneered.
The humiliation was unbearable. David dropped to his knees, his voice breaking. "Please... don't do this. Don't ruin my daughter's life."
The groom laughed coldly. "She ruined it herself." He turned on his heels and strode out of the hall, his bodyguards clearing the way.
Lisa's sobs echoed in the silent hall.
David's body swayed, his legs giving out beneath him.
But before he could hit the floor, someone caught him.
Edward.
He lowered David onto a chair, his expression unreadable. Then, without hesitation, he fell to his knees before him.
"I'm sorry," Edward whispered.
David's eyes snapped open, burning with fury. He grabbed Edward's collar, shaking him. "THIS IS YOUR FAULT! Look at her! You made my little princess cry!"
Lisa's sobs grew louder. Edward's heart clenched at the sight of her breaking down.
David's grip on his collar tightened. "You ruined her. Who will marry her now? Everyone will call her a cheater. No one will accept her."
Edward's fists clenched. "That's not true! She's the most beautiful woman I've ever met. Any man would be lucky to have her!"
David's bloodshot eyes bore into his. "Then tell me, Edward… will YOU take responsibility? Will YOU marry her?"
The room went silent.
Carl and Chris turned toward Edward, wide-eyed. Lisa looked up, her tear-streaked face frozen in shock.
David didn't stop. His voice rose. "Will you stand by her side? Will you make her your wife?!"
Edward's breath caught.
He looked at Lisa—broken, vulnerable, and betrayed. The woman he loved.
Then he turned back to David and said, "Yes. I'll marry her."
Gasps filled the hall.
Edward's voice was unwavering. "I'll take her with me. I'll share my life with her. I'll take full responsibility."
David glared at him. "You? A college student? You don't even have a job! How can you take care of her?"
Edward reached into his pocket, pulled out a black card, and held it up.
David's eyes widened. Carl, who had been silent, suddenly smirked.
For the first time, David hesitated.
A beat passed before he exhaled sharply. "… Fine. The wedding will happen."
Lisa's eyes widened in disbelief. "What? No! I won't marry him!"
"You will." David's tone was final. "That's an order."
Lisa trembled in anger. She turned to Edward, glaring. "I don't want this. You're younger than I. You're still in college. This will destroy my career."
Edward stepped closer, his voice calm but firm. "Trust me. Just once."
The priest cleared his throat, hesitant but continuing. "Edward, do you take Lisa as your wife?"
"Yes, I do."
The priest turned to Lisa. "Lisa, do you take Edward as your husband?"
Silence.
Then, through gritted teeth, Lisa spat, "Yeah."
The priest hesitated before announcing, "You are now husband and wife."
The hall erupted into applause.
Edward stepped forward, gently taking Lisa's hand. She flinched but didn't pull away. Instead of kissing her lips, he kissed her hand.
Carl chuckled and patted Edward's back. "You're a lucky man, brother. She's beautiful. But if you ever make her cry, I'll kill you."
Edward just smiled.
Lisa clenched her fists, holding back her emotions.
The wedding was over.
But the storm had just begun.
----------------------------------------------
The reception was lively, but Lisa wasn't. She avoided Edward the entire night, drowning herself in drinks.
Carl took the mic, raising a toast. Today, my brother got married. Unexpectedly. But hey, sister-in-law, you're lucky. He's a good guy. Give him a chance. And Edward, if you mess this up, he then cracked his knuckles. You'll answer me.
Laughter erupted. But Edward didn't laugh.
He was watching Lisa.
She was downing drink after drink.
He walked over, gently pulling the glass from her hand. "Stop drinking. You'll get drunk."
Lisa yanked it back. "Who are you to tell me what to do? You're nothing to me!"
Edward stood silent.
Lisa glared at him. "You ruined my life. You think marrying me makes everything okay?"
Then she grabbed a bottle of wine and poured it over his head.
Gasps filled the hall.
Carl's jaw clenched, his fists tightening. But Edward just stood there, wine dripping from his hair.
Lisa swayed, her body giving in to exhaustion. Before she collapsed, Edward held her in his arms.
He turned to the stunned guests. Enjoy the party. Don't leave without getting drunk. He forced a smile.
Then, carrying Lisa, he walked out.
----------------------------------------------
At their new apartment which was gifted by Lisa's father
Edward placed Lisa gently on their bed in their new apartment.
He removed her heels, covering her with a blanket. Then, kneeling at her feet, he whispered, "I'm sorry for putting you in this situation. But I swear, I'll make this worth it. Just give me a chance."
Lisa stirred but didn't respond.
Edward exhaled, running a hand through his damp hair. He stepped out of the room.
His phone buzzed.
A private number.
He hesitated before answering. "Hello?"
A deep voice chuckled. "Congratulations."
Edward's grip on the phone tightened. "… Thank you."
"Are you sure about this?" the caller asked.
Edward's gaze softened as he looked back at the bedroom door. "Yes. I love her. She reminds me of my mother."
Silence.
Then, the voice spoke again. "Good. But don't forget what you left behind. When the time is right… You will have to take it back."
The line went dead.
Edward clenched his jaw, his eyes darkening.
He slid the phone back into his pocket.
A storm was brewing.
And Edward was at the center of it.