Eli inhaled deeply as the living-room doors opened.
His suit was flawless, his tie straight, his smile rehearsed but none of it could hide the heaviness in his chest. This was supposed to be the happiest day of his life. In many ways, it was: he was finally marrying Sofia, the woman who had shown him love when he’d nearly convinced himself he wasn’t meant for it.
But when she walked into the room—glowing, radiant—her eyes immediately sought out the front row. The chairs reserved for her family.
Three empty seats: her mother, her father, and her sister, Elena.
A fourth: Matt, his childhood best friend.
Eli blinked, hoping they were simply late. But the ceremony clock ticked right on time—and he knew. He had known since the phone call two days earlier, when Elena casually “updated” him:
“Eli… I’m sorry, but my engagement party is the same day. And, well… you know how Mom is. We have to be there. It’s not personal.”
Those three words—not personal—cut deeper than any insult. Apparently it wasn’t “personal” to abandon his wedding. It wasn’t “personal” to prioritize a non-wedding party over a real ceremony. And Matt? He’d said he would “stop by Elena’s party for a minute,” but that “minute,” clearly, had stretched into the entire day.
Still, when Eli saw Sofia walking toward him, smiling with such certainty, something inside him steadied. She deserved a perfect day. He would not let their absence ruin it.
He held himself together through the ceremony, though the knot in his throat returned every time he glanced at those empty chairs. During the reception, their absence became glaring. Guests whispered. Some asked gently where his parents were. Others avoided the topic altogether.
Eventually, overwhelmed, Eli stepped outside to the terrace, letting the cold air cool the sting beneath his ribs.
His phone buzzed.
A message from Matt.
“Eli, we need to talk. You don’t know everything. It wasn’t what you think. —M.”
His stomach twisted.
Matt never texted like that.
Something was wrong.
And his family was involved.
Sofia found him eventually, changed into comfortable shoes but still glowing.
“I don’t want today shadowed for you,” she murmured, squeezing his hand. “If you need to talk to Matt, go. I’ll be home waiting.”
And in that moment, Eli loved her even more.
He drove to the small bar Matt had mentioned. His friend was sitting in the back, twisting a bottle between his hands. When Eli approached, Matt jumped to his feet.
“Man… I’m so, so sorry.”
“Then explain why you didn’t show up,” Eli said plainly.
Matt swallowed hard. Not guilt—something heavier.
“They… wouldn’t let me.”
Eli frowned. “Who?”
“Your parents,” Matt blurted. “And Elena. They told me you didn’t want me there. That you were upset with me. That I’d ‘ruin your day.’ They insisted I’d be doing you a favor by coming to the engagement party instead.”
A hollow ache spread in Eli’s chest.
“Why would they say that?”
Matt exhaled shakily.
“Because they wanted everyone at Elena’s event. They didn’t want her overshadowed. And because…” He hesitated.
“Because what, Matt?”
“Because your parents were upset with you. They said you didn’t tell them you were getting married.”
Eli froze.
“I did tell them. At dinner. Elena was right there.”
Matt nodded sadly.
“And she later told them you were ‘probably unsure.’ That they shouldn’t take it seriously.”
The truth h:it him like a punch.
His family hadn’t skipped the wedding because they didn’t care.
They skipped because Elena wanted the spotlight—and his parents let her have it.
Matt looked at him helplessly. “I didn’t abandon you, Eli. I swear.”
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