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Mom’s expression hardened. “We’re not breaking up!” she declared. “Aaron proposed, and we’re getting married in two months!”
Aaron’s jaw tightened. “Casey, I assure you, I don’t care about your mom’s money. I love her.”
Mom exhaled, clearly exhausted. “I’m done with all this yelling. Either you calm down and join us for dinner, or you can leave.”
“Great!” I shot back. “If a random guy is more important to you than your daughter, then I’m leaving!”
I lay awake at night, replaying the dinner in my head.
Eventually, I called her, pretending to make peace. “I overreacted,” I said, forcing a cheerful tone. “I want to fix things. If Aaron makes you happy, I’ll support you.”
She was overjoyed. “That means the world to me, Casey!” she said. “I want you to be part of this. Let’s plan the wedding together.”
So, I attended dress fittings, sampled cakes, and helped with decorations. But deep down, I still doubted Aaron.
A few days before the wedding, I realized I had nothing concrete against him. I had searched for flaws, but found nothing. Maybe I had been wrong. Maybe he truly loved my mom.
That evening, I took a deep breath and faced her. “I accept Aaron and fully support you,” I told her. “Now it’s official.”
On the wedding day, as we rushed to the venue, Mom suddenly gasped. “Oh no! I left my phone at home!”
I volunteered to retrieve it. Back at the house, I searched every room. No phone. Then I noticed a locked drawer near her desk. On impulse, I yanked it open.
Papers spilled onto the floor.
They were all under Aaron’s name. My heart pounded. Then I found another document—property papers. My mom’s name was there, but the signature at the bottom wasn’t hers. It was Aaron’s.
“Stop the wedding!” I yelled, bursting into the venue.
I shoved the papers into my mother’s hands. As she read them, her hands trembled. Then, she covered her face.
“Casey…” she whispered. “These debts… they’re because of you.”
Aaron stepped forward. “Your mom told me you’ve always dreamed of owning a restaurant. We were buying one for you with the wedding money.”
He sighed. “We had to finalize the purchase earlier than planned. I didn’t have enough funds, so I covered the difference. That’s why there’s debt.”
Shame flooded me. “Please forgive me,” I murmured. “And you too, Aaron. I was too harsh.”
Aaron’s voice remained steady. “Casey, take your seat so we can continue the ceremony.”
I hesitated, then slowly nodded. My legs felt weak as I walked toward the back. The weight of my mistake pressed down on me.
