Chapter 1I told my family a million times—do NOT invite my uncle to my wedding.
They said okay. But guess what? He showed up anyway.
My sister actually blamed ME.
"His son invited us to his wedding seven years ago."
Mom jumped in too.
"He adored you when you were a kid. Stop being so ungrateful!"
I looked at my fiancé, pissed as hell. He just patted my arm.
"He's just family. Don't make a scene."
Everyone made ME the bad guy. But they PROMISED.
I stared at my uncle across the room, smiling and chatting like nothing ever happened.
That's when I decided—SCREW THIS!
I ripped off my veil.
"You wanna disrespect me? Fine. This wedding's CANCELED!"
...
"Mom. Harper. I'm serious."
I grabbed the guest list and crossed out my uncle's name with a thick line.
"This is MY wedding. I don't want to see the guy who almost ruined my life."
The room went quiet.
When I was ten, my uncle cornered me in the storage room at my grandparents' place.
What he did—I've had nightmares about it for years.
We even went to the cops.
But my family?
They just wanted everyone to shut up about it.
Plus—
Growing up, I knew Mom liked Harper more.
Harper got the good stuff first—always.
When Harper wanted a $500 camera in college?
Mom bought it right away.
When I asked for $70 sneakers after getting into college?
Mom said, "Stop trying to keep up with everyone."
I never complained.
Never asked for anything.
This was the ONE thing I asked for in twenty-four years.
"Ainsley, why are you being so difficult?"
Mom frowned.
"Your uncle even asked when you're getting married."
"Said wants to give you a big gift."
"He's family. Your dad's gone—we don't have any men around to stand up for us."
"What's Camden's family gonna think if we don't have one decent guy there?"
"They'll walk all over you."
"Plus, people are gonna talk."
I bit my lip. "Mom, it's MY wedding. If anyone says anything, blame me."
Harper tried to play peacemaker.
"Okay Mom, stop pushing her."
"Ainsley, just hear Mom out. He's an elder. It's one day. Don't make this a big deal."
She was trying to help both sides.
But basically made me look like I was overreacting.
I didn't say anything.
Camden put his arm around me. Eyes steady, voice soft.
"If Ainsley doesn't want him there, he's not coming."
"This is OUR wedding. She matters most."
He squeezed my hand.
"Don't worry. I already told the venue—no invite, no entry. He's not getting in."
Chapter 2
I got so excited planning the wedding.
I thought, okay, Mom favors Harper—whatever.
At least I found someone who puts ME first.
Wedding day.
I looked at myself in the mirror—white dress, perfect makeup.
"Bride, you ready? Ceremony's starting. After the groom's speech, you're walking out."
The coordinator knocked on the door.
I took a breath, grabbed my dress, and headed to the ballroom.
The doors were cracked open.
I looked inside.
My heart dropped.
At the head table—front and center—was my uncle.
Wearing some fancy suit, laughing with relatives.
I froze. Couldn't move.
Then grabbed my dress and ran to the bridal room.
Mom and Harper turned around.
"Why is he HERE?!" My voice shook.
Mom looked away for a second. Then she waved me off, annoyed.
"What are you yelling about? I told Harper to pick him up."
"MOM!"
Tears started falling.
"I told you a million times I didn't want him here! Do you not remember what he did?!"
"That was forever ago. You gonna hold onto that your whole life?"
Mom frowned.
"You were a kid then. Why would he even care about you? You probably just read too much into it."
Harper stepped up.
"Exactly, Ainsley. Let it go. It's your wedding. Deal with it later."
"He's family. You'll see him at holidays anyway."
"If it bugs you that much, just avoid him after today."
Mom nodded. "See? I wish you were more like your sister."
But I WAS THE ONE who got hurt.
Why didn't anyone care how I felt?
Harper sighed. "Ainsley, you don't have to talk to him. Just toast him quick and move on."
Mom added, "Yeah. He even gave you $800. Stop being petty."
I was done arguing.
Forced myself to stay calm and asked:
"Where's Camden?"
HE promised my uncle wouldn't get in.
Chapter 3
"Ainsley, what's wrong?"
Camden came in. I grabbed his sleeve.
"Camden! My uncle's out there! Tell the venue to kick him out! You PROMISED!"
Camden didn't react. Like he already knew.
He sighed and held my hands.
"Ainsley, listen. I told your mom she could invite him."
Everything stopped.
"What?" I stared at him. "Why?"
"I did it for YOU."
Camden looked at me, eyes full of concern.
"You can't live in the past forever. Avoiding it won't help."
"You gotta face it head-on. That's how you heal. I'm thinking about you."
"Plus, it's our wedding. I want your whole family there to support us."
He rubbed my hands.
"What happened years ago—it's done. You gotta move forward."
"And if you don't invite him, people are gonna talk. That hurts US, right?"
Right.
Everyone had their reasons.
They were all "helping me."
But I felt like I was dying inside.
Mom sighed. "Ainsley, if you really don't wanna see him, don't sit at the head table."
"I'll ask the venue to put you with your bridesmaids. Okay?"
Harper nodded. "Yeah. He's already here. We can't just kick him out now."
"Just get through today. Then you won't even have this trauma anymore."
Watching them gang up on me, I finally got it.
This was all planned.
I pulled my hands back. Stopped talking.
Camden checked his watch. The coordinator was calling.
He patted my shoulder and kissed my hand.
"Stop overthinking. Let's go. I'm here. No one's gonna hurt you."
The ballroom doors stayed closed.
I stood outside alone.
Then I heard Camden's voice over the speakers.
"Today, I'm marrying the love of my life."
"I'll never let anyone hurt her."
"I'll protect her forever..."
Everyone clapped and cheered. But I just felt empty.
Mom wanted to keep the peace.
Harper wanted me to "let it go."
Camden wanted me to "face my fears" and avoid gossip.
Everyone had their thing. But nobody cared what I wanted.
If they couldn't even respect me, what was the point?
I looked down at the bouquet in my hands—the one that was supposed to mean happiness.
Put it on the floor.
And walked to the exit.
Right when I left, the lights went out in the ballroom.
The coordinator's voice boomed. "Let's welcome our beautiful bride!"
The wedding march started. Bridesmaids opened the doors.
A spotlight hit the red carpet—right where I should've been.
Camden looked emotional. Mom and Harper were crying.
Hundreds of people looked over.
But the spotlight was empty...
