A Mask at the Wedding

The news of my marriage to Elias did not get out fast.

The Larson family kept it quiet to protect their stock prices.

After the wedding, Elias and I got our marriage license in a flash, and then he said he had to go abroad for a few days.

On the other side, Howard, who had no clue, had a great two days at the villa with Joyce before he finally sensed something was off.

Normally, I would have caused a big fuss by then, making him come back, but this time, there was complete silence.

Howard was distractedly swiping on his phone, not even looking up when Joyce called his name.

"No, she's definitely playing games," he thought to himself.

Thinking that, Howard's lips twisted into a smile. He had let her get away with too much.

I never thought I would run into two troublemakers at my dad's business dinner.

Right away, Howard spotted me, but he looked like a storm cloud when he saw me chatting with another guy.

Joyce, after spotting me, pretended to be casual as she rubbed her belly and whined to Howard, "Howard, I can't walk anymore, my feet are killing me."

Howard was all sweet, helping her out, but he kept sneaking peeks at me.

He seemed to be waiting for me to come over and say hi.

Too bad for him, I let him down.

I did not even give him a side glance the whole time.

He lost his cool and marched over to our table, plopped his glass down hard, and blurted out, "Darcy, are you mad at me for having someone else stand in for me at our wedding?"

I did not even want to look at him and got up to leave.

"At the last wedding, Joyce was sick, and we had to rush, that's why I wasn't there."

Joyce swayed over and blocked my path.

"Darcy, don't be mad at Howard, it's my fault for being sick and messing up your wedding..."

Howard just looked at me and laughed like it was a joke.

"Darcy, I never knew you were so touchy, it was just a wedding, right?"

He tried to grab my arm like it was nothing.

I gave him a frosty look and shook off his hand, "Mr. Larson, keep your hands to yourself.”

"Didn't your folks tell you about the wedding?"

Howard was confused, "Tell me what?"

Joyce got all flustered, grabbed my wrist, and begged, "Darcy, please, Howard was just trying to do the right thing..."

She was saying we should make up, but her nails were pinching my skin so hard it made me gasp for air.

I jerked my hand away: "Go away!"

"Ah—!"

Joyce tumbled to the ground in a mess.

Howard was furious. He quickly helped Joyce up and yelled at me, "You're crazy! Say you're sorry to Joyce right now!"

I just laughed and told the security guard who had hurried over, "Security, kick them out!"

Howard was so mad his face turned dark. "Don't think this will make me notice you. If you just do as you're told, I'll go with you to get the marriage license in a few days."

He thought for sure that if he came back, I would be so thankful and cling to him.

I smiled. "However, I've been married for a while now."

Howard's smile froze on his face, and he just stood there, his eyebrows knotted up.

"What are you talking about!"

He stepped closer, all high and mighty: "You say you're married, then where's your husband?"

I smirked. "My husband is on a business trip, not like some people who can't do anything without a woman."

Before he could say anything, Joyce's eyes filled with tears. "Darcy, how can you be so mean to Howard."

She stopped on purpose, making Howard look at me with disappointment and anger.

"Darcy, look at how mean you are now, who else would want you but me.”

"I'm telling you, quit playing games. It just makes me respect you less!"

I was totally out of patience. "Security! Are you deaf?”

"Get these two out of here!" I commanded.

The security guards sprang into action, grabbing one on each side.

Howard writhed like a wild animal, glaring at me as he yelled: "Darcy! How could you do this to me? You're going to be sorry!"

Later that night, a weird text popped up on my phone.

[Bet you didn't see that coming, huh? You think you can just take my Howard away? He doesn't even care, he's off having a blast on vacation with me.]

I knew who it was without even guessing, and I hit 'block' without a second thought.

Andrew and Noelle kept showing up, trying to talk to me, but I would not let them in.

A week later, I timed it just right to meet Elias's flight and drove to the airport.

Stepping into the arrivals hall, who do I see but Howard and Joyce.

They looked like they had been lounging in the sun, sunglasses on, totally chill.

Howard grinned when he saw me. "I knew you couldn't stay away, coming all this way to pick me up."

I ignored him, like he was just some silly boy.

Joyce tried to tease me: "Come on, Darcy, don't be upset.”

"Howard didn't mean to leave you out. You're his future wife, you should cut him some slack."

Howard ate it up, reaching out to me, but I dodged his arm. He did not get mad. He thought I was just pouting. "Come on, cut it out. Once we're married, I'll take you on an even fancier honeymoon, okay?"

I did not bother with them and ran straight into Elias's arms. "Honey, welcome home."

Elias caught me firmly and kissed the top of my head gently.

Behind me, Howard's smug grin froze in an instant.

A moment of total silence was shattered by Howard's angry shout: "Darcy! Are you done playing around?"

He stormed over, pointing at Elias and shouted: "You hired an actor just to upset me? Pretty good performance, how much did it cost you?”

"Tell me a number, I'll pay you ten times more to leave right now!"

Elias stepped in front of me, his gaze growing intense, and the mood turned icy cold.

However, I grabbed his hand, peeked out from behind him, and calmly stared at Howard's twisted face.

"Howard, you wanted to meet my husband, right?" I held onto Elias's arm, beaming with joy.

"Let me introduce him properly, this is my husband, Elias Gibson."

Howard went pale. "Why is it you?"