28
Meru
To give up now?
What would that make of their years of devotion?
Twenty years of shared history?
Could a relationship of that length be surpassed by someone they’d known for only a few weeks? Determination burned in Ethan and Mason’s eyes.
They spoke in unison, “Let’s work together. Then it’s every man for himself!”
Without needing further discussion, they divided their tasks.
Mason obtained the few remaining photos from their mothers–remnants of their two–decade–long friendship. Most of the pictures had been destroyed in the fire.
Mostly, they had individual childhood photos.
It was better than nothing.
Ethan, meanwhile, placed people inside the Jackson family, attempting to gather intelligence or even bribe family
members.
The wedding was in three days; they had much to do.
I was also anxious.
I had no desire to engage with Ethan and Mason further, but their relentless pursuit was unnerving. I unconsciously crumpled Zoe Jackson’s sleeve, realizing what I was doing only after a moment. “Zoe, how do we make this go away permanently? I don’t want to be bothered again,” I said. I was determined to sever ties; I had no interest in continuing this.
Friendship was out of the question.
It was over.
The shared memories of our childhood were precious, but some memories are best left undisturbed. A broken mirror doesn’t need fixing.
Zoe understood my feelings.
He patted my shoulder reassuringly.
“Don’t
worry. I’ve prepared for this. After our wedding, they won’t bother us again.”
I tried to trust him.
On the wedding day, a grand Western–style ceremony took place on the sprawling lawn. The entire estate was decorated in romantic shades of pink for our wedding.
Countless handmade woven flowers were arranged in various shapes.
Even the artificial flowers appeared incredibly realistic.
No one, including Ethan and Mason, suspected anything.
But when all the guests had arrived, the bride and groom were nowhere to be seen. Ethan and Mason thought I’d changed my mind and run away.
What followed was completely unexpected.
The Zoe family utilized cutting–edge holographic technology to create lifelike projections of Zoe Jackson and me, carrying out the entire ceremony.
12:11
Menu
28
Ethan and Mason’s elaborate plans to crash the wedding were thwarted.
They searched frantically for me.
They searched until their eyes were strained, but I was nowhere to be found.
I wasn’t even at the venue.
They’d been tricked!
The officiant announced, “The couple may now exchange rings, and the groom may kiss the bride!” The holographic projections exchanged rings.
Then, instead of Ethan and Mason’s prepared video, a montage of well–wishes for Zoe Jackson and me played on the large screen.
