Wedding Joking, The Broken Engagement Ring

At my own wedding, my fianc's childhood best friend looked him in the eye and asked a single question.

If I were to object right now, would you run away with me?

Without a second of hesitation, Thatcher answered, I would.

The entire ballroom fell into a deafening silence.

Thatcher seemed to realize where he was only after the words left his mouth. He turned to me, his face pale as he tried to explain.

"Gwen, I was just joking. Don't take it seriously."

I smiled at them both, my voice steady. "Don't apologize. I was actually about to congratulate you two. I hope you have a long life together and plenty of kids."

The room went even quieter.

Every guest was staring at me.

Some looked shocked, others confused.

But most of them were just waiting for the drama to unfold.

Everyone knew Thatcher Reed was my entire world.

They thought I was just talking big to save face.

Thatcher's expression shifted from guilt to rage. He ignored the people trying to hold him back and grabbed a glass of champagne, throwing it directly into my face.

"Gwen Sinclair! What is wrong with you?"

"I told you, it was a joke! It's our wedding day. Why are you trying to make everyone uncomfortable with that attitude?"

"I regret ever saying yes to your proposal. After all these years, you're still just a petty, jealous woman."

Alcohol dripped from my hair and down my neck. I probably looked like a drowned rat, pathetic and humiliated.

I had spoiled Thatcher.

I had let him get away with everything for so long that he thought he was untouchable.

He didn't care about the venue or the guests. He felt entitled to scream at me whenever he was in a bad mood.

He had trampled on my dignity for years.

He stood there now, chin held high, waiting for me to apologize like I always did.

Honestly, looking back at how I let him treat me, it's embarrassing.

I picked up a napkin and slowly wiped the liquid from my forehead. My voice was cold.

"You two really are perfect for each other. So much drama, so much passion. If I stayed, I'd just be the villain in your tragic love story."

"Tell you what, consider this reception my gift to the new couple. I hope you both get exactly what you deserve."

I raised my empty glass toward his friend, Seraphina.

"Congratulations, Seraphina. You finally got what you wanted."

No one expected me to say that, least of all her.

She probably just wanted to ruin my moment and make me feel small.

She didn't expect to actually be put on the spot.

"Gwen, what are you talking about? Thatcher and I are just friends. If you can't take a joke, I'll apologize, okay?"

Thatcher couldn't stand seeing his precious Seraphina look upset. He stepped in front of her like a protective shield, glaring at me.

The pure hatred in his eyes stung, but only for a second.

"You're ruining the wedding! Satisfied? Apologize to her right now, or I swear, I'm not marrying you!"

I looked at his face, flushed with anger, and felt a wave of icy calm.

Who was the one who actually ruined this?

Did five years of my life mean less than a few words from her?

My fianc was ready to ditch me at the altar, and I was supposed to just smile and take it?

He opened his mouth to shout again, but I cut him off.

"Don't bother. Since you two are so soulmates-to-be, I'll just get out of the way."

I grabbed my coat and my car keys and walked toward the exit.

Thatcher was livid that I wasn't backing down. He screamed at my back.

"Gwen! If you walk out that door, we are over! I'll divorce you before the ink is even dry!"

I stopped for a moment. Thatcher thought I was scared. He smirked.

"Scared now?"

"Get back here and get on your knees. Apologize to Seraphina."

I turned around and gave him the most sarcastic smile I could muster.

"Fine. See you at the courthouse. Whoever doesn't show up is a coward."

I pulled the engagement ring off my finger and tossed it onto a passing waitress's tray.

I loved Thatcher once.

But I wasn't going to be the world's biggest loser.

They had basically admitted to their emotional affair in front of everyone I knew.

I wasn't going to stay and play along with the charade.

My love for him had turned into something toxic because I let him push me too far.

It was time to let go.

The wedding was over, and so was my five-year relationship.

Thatcher's parents tried to come by my house with some cheap gifts to smooth things over, but my parents kicked them out.

I stayed in my room, deleting every single photo of him from my phone.

Was I heartbroken? Of course.

I had known for a long time that Thatcher loved Seraphina more than me.

I just thought that if I loved him enough, she would eventually become a distant memory.

But she showed up at the wedding, looking as perfect as ever.

Thatcher told me she was a special guest there to give us her blessing.

I guess her version of a blessing was an invitation to elope.

DingD

A notification popped up on my phone. Three thousand dollars had just been charged to my credit card.

I didn't even have to guess. Thatcher was retaliating.

His cards were still linked to my account.

This was his move. Whenever he was mad at me, he went on a spending spree with my money.

Once, he spent twenty thousand dollars in a single night just to spite me.

Back then, he acted like it was his right.

Everyone saw me as his doormat, and he did too.

In his head, I should be happy to pay for his lifestyle.

But I was done being the victim.

He wanted to play house with his childhood sweetheart while using my money? Not a chance.

I called the bank immediately and shut down the account.

Thirty seconds later, my phone exploded with texts.

"Gwen! Are you kidding me? It was just a little bit of money. How dare you freeze my card?"

"Fix it now. I'm trying to pay for dinner!"

I was about to reply when I heard Seraphina's voice in the background of a voice note he sent.

"She won't even pay for this? Wow, how cheap can a woman get?"

The realization hit me like a ton of bricks.

That's why he spent three grand in ten minutes.

He was using my money to impress her.

"Just a reminder," I texted back. "You aren't my husband or my boyfriend. If she loves you so much, I'm sure she'll cover the bill."

Thatcher went silent for a moment before sending a frantic reply.

"You're so petty! Seraphina was right. You're just a small-minded woman."

Petty. Jealous. Small-minded.

He seemed to forget who had been taking care of him all these years.

He forgot who paid for his vanity and his ego.

But in front of her, I was always the one in the wrong.

I had given him everything for five years. Even a dog would have wagged its tail at me by now.

But you can't make someone love you if they don't.

I blocked his number and went back to work.

Life goes on, no matter how messy the breakup.

I thought it would take months for things to settle, but I underestimated how shameless they could be.

Three days after the failed wedding, a friend sent me a screenshot.

"Gwen, check out Thatcher's Instagram. You won't believe this."

I clicked the link.

It was a photo of Thatcher and Seraphina hugging. The caption read: "True love conquers all."

They were both wearing matching diamond bands.

I realized then what that three thousand dollars had been for.

But the worst part was the background. It was clearly a hotel bathroom.

Thatcher was wearing a plush white robe with the hotel's logo on the chest.

There was a very visible hickey on his neck.

I felt a wave of nausea.

Three days ago, he was standing at the altar with me.

Three days later, he was in a hotel bed with her, paid for by my credit card.

I was officially done.

Back in college, Thatcher was the golden boyDhandsome, smart, and popular.

I was just the girl with the wealthy family who watched him from the sidelines.

Seraphina was the star of the school. Beautiful and talented.

Everyone called them the perfect couple.

Back then, I never dreamed I'd actually be with him. I was happy just to look at him.

I thought he would just be a bittersweet memory from my youth.

But then, life fell apart for him.

After graduation, his family's business went bankrupt. He was drowning in debt.

Seraphina's parents were well-off, and they didn't want their daughter tied to a man with no future.

They forced her to leave him and move abroad.

One night, Thatcher called me, sobbing.

I dropped everything and drove to his place, letting him vent for hours.

Later that night, he climbed into my bed and told me he was mine.

But there was a catch. He needed money to save his family.

I was so blinded by my love for him that I didn't care if it was a transaction.

I paid his debts. I supported him.

I thought that over time, he would truly grow to love me.

And for a while, it felt like he did.

Then Seraphina came back.

Her parents had died in an accident overseas, leaving her with nothing but her freedom.

The obstacle keeping them apart was gone.

The second they saw each other again, it was like a wildfire.

I tried to ignore it, but the hotel photo was the final straw.

I commented on the post: "Using your ex-fiance's money to buy rings for your mistress? Real classy."

The comment was deleted within seconds.

Thatcher sent me a direct message, dripping with arrogance.

"It was an honor for you to spend money on me. And for the record, Seraphina was always my first choice. You were just a temporary fix. Don't get it twisted."

"Oh, and thanks for the hotel room. It was great."

I put my phone down, my knuckles white from gripping it too hard.

I couldn't believe I had spent five years on a man this cold.

I could almost hear them laughing at me through the screen.

I replied with three words: "Hope it's worth it."

Then I blocked him on everything.

I drove back to the house we shared to pack my things. When I walked in, the sight made my stomach turn.

Thatcher and Seraphina were curled up on my sofa, eating snacks and laughing.

They looked like they owned the place.

I didn't even stop to talk. I walked over and kicked the snacks off the coffee table.

"Thatcher, get this trash out of my house. I don't care who you sleep with, but you aren't doing it here."

Thatcher didn't even look guilty.

"Don't be so dramatic. Seraphina just got back to the States and has nowhere to go. It's just for a few days. We're just friends, Gwen. Don't be gross."

I laughed. It was a cold, sharp sound.

I'm the gross one?

They're posting hotel selfies and they want to talk about "just friends"?

"I'm not arguing with you," I said. "I bought this house. If you love her so much, go find a place together. I'm done."

"We'll meet at the lawyer's office to finalize the separation. After that, stay out of my life."

I turned to leave, but Thatcher finally looked panicked.

He realized that if I left, his free ride was over.

For the first time in five years, he tried to sound soft.

"Fine! I'm sorry, okay? I'll make it up to you."

His apology sounded like a chore.

I shook my head. I had enabled him for too long.

He had forgotten that he only had a life because of me.

When he saw I wasn't moving, his true colors came back out.

"Gwen Sinclair! Who do you think you are? You think I'd be with you if you weren't rich?"

"Without me, you're just a pathetic loser who had to buy a boyfriend!"

He actually believed he was doing me a favor by letting me pay his bills.

I didn't say a word. I just walked out.