A Mask at the Wedding

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?"