Love Against All Odds

Rowan Remington finally accepted my marriage proposal. 

He told me to dress up, saying he had prepared a surprise for me. 

But when I arrived in my finest attire, Rowan did not present himself as the groom. 

Turning to my half-sister, Lisa, with a playful smile, he said, “You always complain that weddings are tedious and dull. Today, I’ll show you an interesting one. What do you think?” 

Just then, my elder half-brother, Miles, loudly declared, “The wedding is on hold!” 

Suddenly, my childhood friend, Nathan Keller hurled a water balloon—prepared in advance—at me and it smashed down on my head, completely drenching me. 

Rowan arched a teasing brow at me. “It was just a joke, Tessa. You didn’t actually think I was going to marry you, did you?” 

The so-called wedding was nothing more than a farcical performance to entertain Lisa, who was suffering from depression. 

As I stood in stunned silence, Rowan chuckled and added, “If you’re that desperate to get married, why not pick someone from the guests and tie the knot right now?” 

So, I did. 

I walked down the aisle with a new groom in hand. 

That’s when they panicked.

The emcee finished reading the vows on stage, but the groom never stepped forward.

The guests murmured among themselves.

I realized—this was yet another setup to humiliate me.

Sure enough, in the audience, Rowan Remington idly toyed with the ring in his hand before turning to my half-sister, Lisa Hamilton, with a smile.

“Didn’t you say weddings are tedious and dull? Two people recite vows, exchange rings, and it’s over.

“Today, I’ll show you a single’s wedding. Interesting, isn’t it?”

My elder half-brother, Miles, immediately caught on and raised the microphone. “The wedding is on hold!” he announced loudly.

Then, my childhood friend, Nathan Keller, shouted, “Tessa! Look over here.”

A water balloon came crashing down from above. Even though I reacted quickly and tried to dodge it, it still caught me off guard.

Water dripped from my soaked hair, strands clinging to my face. Droplets slid from my dress, darkening the fabric.

I clenched the sides of my skirt tightly.

Only then did Lisa finally let out a laugh.

Rowan strolled over, feigning concern, though his voice betrayed his true feelings.

“What’s wrong, Tessa? Not happy?”

Rowan turned and playfully punched Nathan in the arm. “You really went all out, huh? Did it ever cross your mind that Tessa is the bride today?”

For a brief moment, I thought he had finally realized the joke had gone too far.

But then, he handed me the ring—still in its box—the very one meant for my finger.

“Didn’t you want to get married? To be a bride?” He smirked. “I’m making it happen for you. I even got the emcee, the groomsmen, and the guests to show up.”

I met his gaze with an icy glare. He scoffed.

“What’s with that look? You didn’t actually think I was going to marry you, did you? I was