I WENT BACK TO THE ROOM TO GET THE BRACELET I LEFT — BUT I CAUGHT THE GROOM AND HIS MOTHER DISCUSSING HOW THEY WOULD SPEND MY WEALTH
THE HAPPY BEGINNING
My wedding day. I’m Clarissa. In just an hour, I’ll be walking down the aisle to Jason, the man I thought was my prince charming.

I was already in the Holding Room when I noticed that the Diamond Bracelet that was my late father’s legacy was not on my wrist. It was important to me. I wanted to wear it while I walked.

“Oh, I must have left it in Jason’s room earlier when we were taking pictures,” I said to myself.

Since the bridesmaids and coordinator were busy, I ran back to the Groom’s hotel room myself. I also wanted to surprise him before the ceremony.

I only wore shoes so that I wouldn’t make any noise and my heels wouldn’t hurt my feet.

When I got to the hallway, I saw that the door to my Mother-in-Law’s room, Aunt Vina, was slightly open. Jason was also inside.

I was about to go in to ask, but I heard my name.

THE DEVIL PLAN
I stopped and leaned against the wall.

“Son, fix your acting later,” Aunt Vina’s voice said. She was laughing a little. “Clarissa needs to believe that you love her very much. Just think of the 50 Million you will inherit when she becomes your wife.”

I froze. My heart stopped beating.

Jason replied. The voice that was gentle to me was now full of irritation.

“Yes, Ma. Just be patient a little. I’m so tired of being sweet to her. She’s such a boring girl. If it weren’t for her father’s land, I wouldn’t have punished her.”

“Let her go,” her mother replied. “After the wedding, and once the properties are transferred to our names, you can leave him. Or, let’s pretend he’s crazy so you can manage his money. Then, you can marry your real girlfriend.”

“I’m excited, Mom. Finally, we’ll be able to get out of debt and you’ll be a donya.”

They were still trying to get their mother to come over.

I covered my mouth to stop myself from sobbing. The man I was supposed to love for the rest of my life… and his mother, who I considered a second mother… were just two little girls I planned to kill and throw away.

I wanted to rush them. I wanted to scream.

But I thought, if I disappear now, they’ll deny it. They’ll say I’m just a prat.

I need evidence. And I need a stage.

I took out my cellphone. The last part of their conversation was recorded.

“Get ready,” I whispered. I wiped my tears and went back to my room as if nothing had happened.

THE WEDDING
The ceremony began. The church was full. My family’s friends, relatives, and business partners were there.

I walked down the aisle. Jason was smiling at the altar, even crying tears of joy. Aunt Vina was wiping away her tears, you would think she was such a good mother.

You’re acting so well, I thought.

When I got to the altar, Jason kissed my hand. “You’re beautiful, my love.”

I smiled at him. A smile full of poison. “Thank you, Jason. I have a surprise for you later.”

The time for the Vows arrived.

“Clarissa,” Jason said into the microphone. “I promise, I will love you through thick and thin. You are my life. I will never leave you.”

The people applauded. How sweet.

Priest: “You too, Clarissa.”

I grabbed the microphone. I faced the guests.

“Before I say my vows,” I said out loud. “I want to let you hear the true contents of my future wife’s heart.”

“Huh?” Jason was confused. “What are you saying, babe?”

I motioned to my friend the Sound System Operator, whom I had given a copy of the recording earlier.

THE BAPTISM
Suddenly, Jason and Aunt Vina’s voices echoed throughout the church from the large speakers.

VOICE OF JASON: “I’m so tired of being sweet to her… If it weren’t for her father’s land, I wouldn’t have punished her.”

VOICE OF TITA VINA: “After the wedding… let’s make her look crazy… you can marry your real girlfriend.”

VOICE OF JASON: “I’m so excited, Mom… we’ll be able to get out of debt.”

The entire church fell silent. It was like a cemetery.

All eyes were on Jason and his mother.

Jason turned pale. He looked like he was going to faint. Aunt Vina was shaking and couldn’t look at people.

“J-Jason… is this true?!” Jason’s father shouted, unaware of the mother and son’s plan.

“Clarissa! It’s E-Edited!” Jason shouted. “That’s a lie!”

“Edited?” I asked. “It was recorded on my cellphone. Do you want us to play it on the projector?”

I turned to the priest.

“Father, I’m sorry. But I will not marry a Gold Digger and a family of crooks.”

I took off my engagement ring and threw it in Jason’s face.

“There. That’s all you can get from me. Even a single penny from my father’s wealth, you won’t get.”

“Security!” I called. “Let the crooks out.”

This is my church.”

END
There was chaos in the church. My parents were furious and rushed Jason. The police arrived because someone had reported an Attempted Estafa.

Jason and his mother were dragged out, embarrassed in front of hundreds of guests. Their reputations were ruined for life.

I was left standing at the altar, groomless, but free.

I went home that day not a wife, but a woman who had saved herself from hell. I did find my bracelet, and because of that, I also found the truth.

END