The Unforgettable Wedding Adventure

Oliver Bennett married Emily Hart on purpose to give Martha Clarke a proper sting. He wanted to prove he could move on after her betrayal. Hed been with Emily for almost two years, adored her to the point of delirium, and was ready to tilt the heavens and shape his whole life around her dreams. He figured a wedding was the next logical step, but her constant dodges whenever the topic came up grated on his nerves.

Why rush a wedding? shed say. I havent finished university yet, and youre still stuck with a halfbaked business, no decent car, no flat of your own. And honestly, I dont fancy sharing a kitchen with your sister. Shed add, If we hadnt sold that house, wed be living blissfully unaware of any problems.

Oliver winced at her words but could not deny their truth. He and his sister Olivia still lived in their parents flat, his business was just getting its feet under the table, and he was still a finalyear student. He had to take the reins before his diploma arrived. The house sale, agreed on with Olivia, was crucial to rescue the familys finances. Six months of mounting debts and studies later, the sale cleared all liabilities, restocked his hardware store, and even left a modest cushion.

Martha, on the other hand, lived for the present, not some imagined tomorrow. With their parents bearing most of the burden, her outlook seemed light. Oliver, meanwhile, had been thrust into adulthood overnight responsibilities to his sister, the business, and everyday life. He trusted that everything would fall into place: a house, a car, a garden.

Nothing hinted at trouble. They arranged to go to the cinema, and Emily asked not to be picked up shed manage the commute herself. Oliver waited at the bus stop, only to see her pull up in a flashy new car. She stepped out, handed him a book, and said, Im sorry, we cant be together any longer. Im getting married, before slipping back into the vehicle.

Oliver was stunned. What could have changed in the few days he was away? When he got home, Olivia read his expression like an open book.

Already know? she asked.

He nodded.

Shes marrying a millionaire. She asked me to be a witness I refused. Shes a traitor, skulking behind his back.

Oliver hugged his sister, ruffling her hair. Calm down. Let her have a good life. Ours will be even better.

He then locked himself in his room for a full day. Olivia coaxed him out.

Come on, at least have some pancakes, she pleaded.

By evening, he emerged with fire in his eyes.

Pack your bags.

Where are you off to? What nonsense is this?

Ill marry the first woman who says yes, Oliver answered coolly.

You cant be serious! This isnt just about you, Olivia protested futilely.

You wont go with me Ill go alone, he snapped.

In the park, a crowd milled about. One lady twirled a strand of hair, another bolted away, but a third met his gaze and said, Alright.

Whats your name, beautiful?

Emily.

An engagement calls for a celebration! he declared, whisking Emily and Olivia into a nearby café.

Awkward silence settled at the table. Olivia was at a loss for words, while Olivers mind raced with thoughts of revenge. Hed decided his wedding would be on the twentyfifth, no matter what.

Emily broke the hush. There must be a serious reason you proposed to a stranger.

If its spontaneous, I wont mind and Ill go.

No. Youve already given your word. Tomorrow well file the paperwork and meet your parents.

Oliver winked. First things first, lets be on a firstname basis.

For the next month they saw each other daily, talking, learning each others quirks.

Why this, exactly? Emily asked one night.

Everyone has skeletons in their wardrobe, Oliver evaded.

The main thing is they dont get in the way of living.

And why did you agree?

I imagined myself as a princess, whisked away by a dashing king at first sight. Fairy tales always end they lived happily ever after, so I wanted to test it.

In reality, great love left a broken heart, a modest dent in savings, and a lesson in reading people. Emily brushed off wouldbe suitors with a single glance. She didnt hunt for a soulmate, but she knew she needed a smart, independent man capable of decisive action. Olivers determination and serious approach won her over. Had he been surrounded by friends instead of his sister, she might have walked right past him.

What kind of princess are you? Oliver asked, halfsmiling. A shy one, a Beautiful Vasilisa, or a frogprincess?

Give me a kiss and youll find out, she replied, teasing.

No kiss followed, and none ever did.

Oliver handled the wedding preparations himself. Emilys only task was to pick from his suggestions, even down to the dress and veil, which he bought himself.

Youll be the most beautiful, he kept repeating.

At the register office, they unexpectedly ran into Martha and her new fiancé. Oliver forced a smile.

Allow me to congratulate you, he said, planting a quick kiss on her cheek. May your wallet stay as light as your steps!

Dont turn this into a circus, Martha replied, nerves flickering.

She eyed Emily with a mixture of admiration and envy tall, striking, regal, like a queen. Martha felt shed lost everything, her jealousy gnawing at her.

Oliver returned to Emily.

All good, he said with a strained grin.

Its not too late to stop, Emily whispered.

No. We play till the end.

In the registration hall, as Oliver glanced into his nowwifes hesitant eyes, he realized the gravity of his actions.

Ill make you happy, he said, genuinely believing his words.

Family life settled in. Olivia and Emily quickly found common ground, complementing each other. Impulsive Olivia learned to temper her emotions, while Emily efficiently ran the household and subtly steered everyone.

A savvy economist with a knack for accounts and tax, Emily sorted the finances in a flash. Six months later they opened a second store, then assembled teams of tradespeople they were no longer just selling building supplies, they were doing fullscale renovations. Profits multiplied.

Emily turned out to be a modernday Vasilisa the Wise pitching ideas that Oliver claimed as his own. Life seemed a smooth ride, but Oliver missed the dizzy thrill he once felt with Martha. Everything now was measured, predictable, calm. Routine is a slowsucking drain, he muttered, I cant stand it.

Thanks to Emilys diligence they moved into highend property development, building turnkey cottages. The first house they erected was for themselves.

The better things got, the more Oliver thought of Martha: She couldve seen the car I drive now, the house not a cottage but a palace! He bragged to himself, often wondering, What if?

Emily noticed his torment. She longed to be loved, but you cant force a heart that isnt yours. Not every fairy tale ends happily, she thought, yet she clung to the promise of their names.

Olivia also kept a watchful eye.

Youll lose more than you gain, she warned, pointing at Marthas Instagram page.

Dont interfere! Oliver snapped.

Olivia shot back, Fool, Emily loves you sincerely, and youre playing games!

This is exactly what I didnt need a child telling me what to do, Oliver seethed. The pull toward Martha grew stronger, and he finally messaged her.

Martha complained that her personal life had collapsed. Shed been kicked out with nothing, never finished her degree, held no steady job, and lived in a rented flat in a provincial town.

Oliver hesitated for days: Should I go? Should I stay? But circumstances left him home alone for a while Emily had gone to her ailing grandmothers cottage in the countryside.

He finally set a meeting, sped to her town ignoring all signs. His heart raced, rehearsing what hed say.

Reality was harsh.

Youre a handsome devil, Martha purred, pressing herself against his neck.

The scent of cheap perfume hit him. He stepped back disdainfully.

People are watching, she laughed.

I dont care! she shouted, her short skirt flapping.

She looked like a thriftstore version of Emily, and Oliver thought, I never noticed it before. He watched her gulp down a pint, feeling more confused than ever.

Give me some cash, Ill repay you, Martha teased, licking her lips.

He didnt know how to extricate himself.

Sorry, Ive got work, he said, standing up.

Will we meet again?

I doubt it, he called the waiter. The bill, please.

Id like to stay a bit longer, Martha whined.

The lady can enjoy whats left of the budget, the waiter replied, sliding a hefty note across the table.

Oliver nodded, understanding.

He sped home, skirting the speed limit.

Stupid me, he muttered, Olivia was right. Why did I start all this? Maybe it wasnt for nothing.

He never called his wife Emilyhe has no one nearer or dearer, he halted, recalling his vows. He sat for five minutes, replaying the years since the wedding.

He saw Emilys bright blue eyes, the faint fleck of mischief, remembered how shed smile when he entered a room, how shed gently tousle his hair with her long, wellkept fingers.

I promised to make her happy, he whispered, turning the car onto a country lane.

A week is too long. I cant survive two days without you, he said when Emily rushed out of her grandmothers cottage to meet him.

Youre a maniac, she laughed through tears.

Emily, my love, Oliver murmured into her ear, both of them dizzy with joy.