Late Bride: Time for Me to Go

The day my parents travel thousands of miles to discuss our wedding, Teresa Harper and her family have yet to show up. After my third call goes straight to voicemail, Mom smiles and reassures me. "They're probably just stuck in traffic. It's fine, your dad and I can wait." Except we wait for three hours. My parents' expressions slowly shift from bright anticipation to quiet heartache. Dad tugs at his ill-fitting blazer for the 100th time. Finally, his eyes well up, and his voice cracks as he asks, "Colin… does it really have to be her? "We're just simple country folks. We know we don't have much, and we're nothing compared to city folks. We even agreed when they asked you to be their live-in son-in-law. "I don't want to break you two up. I'm just worried. You're thousands of miles away from home out here. If things get bad down the road, your mom and I… won't be able to just rush over and comfort you." Digging my fingernails into my palms, I force a smile and help them up from their seats. "Dad, Mom, let's go home. The wedding is off." Chapter 1 Colin's POV I didn't get a call from Teresa Harper until after I had already brought my parents back and gotten them settled in. The moment she spoke, she demanded aggressively, "We're at the restaurant. Why is the private room empty? This is our wedding we're talking about. Do your parents care so little that they're late?" I was quiet for a second before replying in a flat voice, "Teresa, my parents and I waited for three hours. You guys never showed up. It's not that we don't care. It's that you never cared about my parents." The line went dead silent for a moment before her tone softened. "Owen just got accepted into his master's program, and his parents came to town today to celebrate. "They've never been here before, and Owen's still a student. He couldn't handle it all on his own, so I went to the station to help pick them up. You know my family has sponsored him for 13 years. I've always seen him as a younger brother. I couldn't just ignore his parents." It was rare for Teresa to explain herself, but hearing it only made it hurt more. When my parents arrived yesterday, I had been stuck in a massive meeting at work and couldn't leave. With no other options, I had called Teresa and asked her to pick them up. And how did she respond? She had said, "They're grown adults, not kids. They can just grab a cab. It's not like they're going to get lost." I had patiently explained, "My parents rarely travel, and they don't know how to use ride-share apps. I had to buy their train tickets for them. The station isn't even far from our place. If you could just drive over—" Before I could finish, she cut me off impatiently. "I'm exhausted from working all day, and now I have to come home and follow your orders? They're your parents. I'm not responsible for them." With two sharp beeps, she hung up. In the end, I had to call a friend, who drove out to get them without a single complaint. The woman I was about to marry was less reliable than a friend. The thought was so ridiculous that a laugh escaped my throat. On the other end of the line, Teresa completely relaxed. "See? You're laughing, which means you're over it. Colin, stop throwing tantrums like this. You know our families come from very different backgrounds, and my parents weren't thrilled about us to begin with. "I'll reschedule. When the time comes, just have your parents apologize to mine, and we'll figure out the wedding." Her tone was patronizing, and her words were entirely matter-of-fact. I tightened my grip on the phone and replied, "Don't bother. My parents are leaving soon." Teresa paused for a beat, then seamlessly said, "That works too. The wedding is going exactly how my parents want it anyway, so yours probably wouldn't have much to add." Suddenly, Owen Simpson's cheerful voice drifted through the line. "Teresa! My parents finished ordering. Thanks so much for treating us. Come on in and eat!" And just like that, she hung up on me as always. In the living room, Mom walked over anxiously. She took my hand and said gently, "Colin, your dad and I are fine. Don't say things out of anger because of us. "As long as Teresa treats you well, that's all that matters. We'll leave right after the wedding so we don't get in your way." My heart ached. I turned and gently patted her hand. "Mom, the company just opened a new branch in our hometown, and my transfer went through. I'm going back with you in three days." Mom couldn't hide her excitement. Her voice rose as she asked, "Really?" I smiled and nodded. "Really." My parents went back to packing the items they had prepared for my married life, taking them back exactly as they came. … It was past midnight when Teresa finally came home. Wrapped in a daze of sleep, I felt a pair of arms encircle me from behind. "Honey, why didn't you wait up for me tonight?" Chapter 2 Colin's POV I rolled over, pulling away from Teresa's embrace. "I figured you'd be staying with Owen all night. After all, he's just a student. He can't manage without you." Suddenly, the bedroom light flicked on, blinding my sight. Teresa threw back the covers and got out of bed. Her voice was sharp with impatience as she demanded, "Colin Doyle, do you have to be so passive-aggressive? I've explained this to you a million times. I only see Owen as a young brother. There's nothing going on between us." Instead of arguing, I unlocked my phone and showed her Owen's latest Instagram post. There they were, inside the exact private room I had reserved. Teresa's family and Owen's family looked like one big, happy family. In one photo, Teresa was leaning over to cut steak for him, and Owen was tilting his head down to touch her cheek. They were close enough to be pressed together. The caption read, "Our parents are finally meeting! The pretty lady who sponsored me for years is about to become my wife!" I held the phone and stared at her. "You guys really know how to maximize resources. I spent a week picking out the perfect restaurant, just for you to turn it into your own marriage discussion spot." Teresa's expression shifted slightly. Frowning, she said, "I didn't know he posted that. I'll call him right now and tell him to delete it. Besides, Owen probably just heard we were discussing wedding plans, got curious, and posted it as a joke. "He's just a kid. He doesn't know any better. You're the future brother-in-law here. You should be more open-minded instead of sweating the small stuff." I let out a dry laugh. "A 23-year-old kid? Why don't you just call him an infant while you're at it?" Teresa ran a frustrated hand through her hair. "We're getting married soon. I don't want to fight with you. I'm sleeping in the study tonight. I'll come back when you're ready to stop throwing a tantrum." The bedroom door slammed shut with a force that woke my parents. They rushed out into the hallway, asking what was wrong. I shook my head and reassured them, telling them to go back to sleep. … The next morning, I got up early. My parents were already in the dining room with breakfast already made. On the table was a dish of pickled ginger they had brought from home—something I had loved since I was a kid. Teresa walked out of the study, looking exhausted. My parents hesitated for a split second before warmly inviting her to join them. Seeing them, Teresa frowned. "What are you two doing here?" Her eyes darted to the ginger, and she immediately covered her nose. "And what is that disgusting smell? The whole place reeks of it. This is Jorvane, not your village. Have some manners. Stop bringing garbage into this apartment!" My parents froze awkwardly, looking like they didn't know what to do. Mom frantically reached for the dish. Her voice trembled with panic as she said, "I-I'm so sorry, Teresa. Colin loved it growing up, so I brought it along. I didn't think that much about it. I'll put it away right now. Please, don't be angry…" In her rush, the plate slipped and shattered on the floor. She flinched and stole a terrified glance at Teresa, unsure what to do first. Without a word, Dad slowly crouched with his stooped frame to pick up the pieces. Suddenly, my eyes stung with tears. Back in our village, my parents always held their heads high. Whenever neighbors praised them for raising a successful son, they would beam with pride, even while modestly brushing off the compliments. But ever since I started dating Teresa, they had been walking on eggshells. They refused to accept the money I sent home, telling me to save it to buy gifts for Teresa's parents so they wouldn't look down on me. They wouldn't let me buy anything when I visited during the holidays, yet they packed my bags with local delicacies to give to Teresa's family when I left. Even when Teresa's parents stood them up, they didn't dare complain, terrified that it might make life harder for me. I walked over and stopped them. My voice was thick and raw with emotions. "Dad, Mom, sit down and eat. I'll clean this up. And leave the ginger on the table. I like it." They tried to help, but I firmly guided them back to their chairs. Teresa turned and noticed me. Her expression stiffened for a moment as she murmured an explanation, "I didn't mean it like that. I have rhinitis, and I can't handle strong smells. You know that." Ignoring her. I quietly swept up the broken porcelain and threw it into the trash. Teresa followed me like a shadow, opening her mouth to speak several times, but I acted like she wasn't there. After breakfast, I planned to take my parents to see some local sights, but I received an urgent call from work. A critical issue had come up with a project I was managing. Teresa volunteered. "Go handle your work. I'll take your parents out. I don't have much going on at the office today anyway." When I looked at her, she shifted her gaze uneasily. "What I said earlier… was out of line. I was taking out last night's frustration on them. Once we're married, your parents are my parents. Don't worry. I'll take good care of them." Knowing my parents would be leaving with me in three days and shouldn't waste their trip, I finally nodded. … By the time the project issues were resolved, the moon was high in the sky. Just as I took out my phone to check on my parents, it began to vibrate. I answered, only to hear Mom's frantic, sobbing voice on the other end. "Colin, y-you need to get to the hospital right now. Your dad is hurt. He's unconscious…" A loud ringing echoed in my ears. As I stood up, I nearly collapsed. Chapter 3 Colin's POV When I finally rushed to the hospital, I found Mom slumped over a stretcher in the hallway, quietly weeping. I ran to her side and saw a massive gash on Dad's head. The wound had been given basic treatment, but it was still bleeding. "W-Where is the doctor? Dad's still bleeding. Why isn't anyone helping him?" Mom hesitated for a long time before she finally spoke. "There's only one ER doctor on duty, and there was only one temporary bed left. Teresa told him to… to treat the other person first." My head pounded. I stood up just as the door to the room behind me opened. Owen was hugging Teresa, his eyes bloodshot and his voice raw. "Teresa, thank you. If you hadn't left Colin's parents to come help me, I really wouldn't have known what to do." She patted his back and comforted him softly. "Your parents are my parents. No need to thank me. Stop crying. Your eyes are all swollen." Losing all self-control, I lunged forward and grabbed Teresa by the wrist. My entire body was shaking uncontrollably. "Teresa, you promised you'd take care of my parents. Is this what you meant?" Teresa frowned. Owen immediately stepped between us, pushing me back to shield her. He looked at me with a subtle gleam of provocation in his eyes. "Colin, my mom sprained her ankle," he said. "Teresa was worried it might cause permanent damage, so she had the doctor treat my mom first. "If you're angry, hit me all you want! Don't blame Teresa. She was just so worried about my mom that she didn't notice your dad's clothes got caught in the car door. That's how he got dragged and injured." Teresa stepped past Owen to put him behind her. When she looked at me, her gaze was icy. "Colin, I'll let it go this time since you're worried about your dad. But you need to be reasonable. Don't act like some hotheaded country thug. "The doctor examined your dad's wound and said it was just a superficial injury. That's why I left him out here. But Owen's mom's ankle couldn't wait. If it affects the bone, it's a lifelong issue." Behind me, Dad's weak voice called out, "Colin… I'm fine. Don't pick a fight with Teresa because of me. We country folks are tough. We're not delicate like city people." Teresa's expression softened slightly. She took a couple of steps toward me and reached out to hug me. "See? Even your dad says it's no big deal. He's fine. Stop making such a huge fuss. Once the sun comes up, I'll find someone to get him a proper room." I took a step back, avoiding her. Her expression darkened, but I ignored her. I took out my phone and arranged to have Dad transferred to another hospital. I stayed by my parents' side all night. The next day, I went back to the apartment to pack our things. When I opened the door, the living room was filled with laughter and a pungent, sour smell. The woman who had just yesterday claimed her rhinitis couldn't handle strong odors was now smiling as she used her fork to pick up a piece of pickled cucumber Owen's parents had brought. Near the living room trash can lay two familiar-looking bundles. They were the bags my parents had carried on their backs when they arrived. I looked at Teresa and asked, "What's this?" Chapter 4 Colin's POV When Teresa saw me, she stood up. After a brief pause, she finally said, "Owen's parents are going to stay with us for a while. Since your parents are leaving soon anyway, I had someone go ahead and clear out their things." My lips curled into a sarcastic smile. "Teresa, I never realized what a wonderful daughter-in-law you could be." Without another word, I ignored the three wary pairs of eyes in the living room and walked into my bedroom. Teresa followed me inside, trying to smooth things over the way she always did. "Colin, don't be mad. I've already booked a five-star hotel for your parents. I'll take their luggage over in a bit. At the end of the day, Owen and his parents are our guests. We have to be good hosts." I kept packing without a word. She leaned in close and helped me fold my clothes. "Colin, I feel like you've been so distant lately. Owen has already secured his master's placement. If it really bothers you that much, I'll cut back on seeing him in the future, okay?" As if presenting a prize, she pulled a ring box out of the drawer. "Look. I bought the wedding band you've kept in your shopping cart for months. Consider it an apology. "Also, I've already finalized the venue for the wedding over the past couple of days, and all the guests are invited. Tomorrow, all you have to do is show up looking handsome." I froze for a second before turning to look at her. "You finalized it? When? Why didn't you discuss this with me?" Her tone remained utterly indifferent. "Well, I saw how busy you were. I figured all men like the same things anyway, so I asked Owen for his input." Slowly, I repeated her words, "You asked Owen for his input? So you two handled everything, from venue scouting and decor selection to favors and guest invitations? Teresa, don't you find that ridiculous?" Her face flashed with her usual irritation, but she forced herself to hold it back. "Colin, I don't want to fight about this anymore. I swear to you, I love you, and that will never change. Isn't that enough?" She took out the ring. Smiling, she reached for my hand to slide it on. "Colin, can we stop fighting? I haven't been able to sleep because I couldn't hold you to sleep at night. Haven't I been punished enough?" I took a few steps back, avoiding her touch. The smile on Teresa's face began to fade. I stared at her for a few seconds before speaking. "Just make sure to send me the venue address." The moment the words left my mouth, Teresa's confident smile returned. "Colin, I knew you still wanted to marry me. No matter how much you act out, you could never bring yourself to leave me." She then glanced at my suitcase, her expression lightening. "Alright, you can relax now. No need to keep pretending to leave. You've packed your bags so many times, but have you ever actually walked out? "Besides, we're over 2,000 miles away from your hometown. Even if you throw a fit, you can't just run back to your parents." I brushed past Teresa and wheeled my suitcase out of the room. She leaned against the doorframe, completely unfazed. She just watched me with a smug smile. "Once you're done sulking tonight, make sure you show up to the wedding on time tomorrow." Smiling, I looked back at her over my shoulder. "Don't worry. I'll definitely give you a massive surprise." … The next day, I helped my parents load all of their heavy bags onto the train. As the warning beeps echoed through the cabin signaling the doors were closing, my phone began to vibrate violently in my hand. After I let three consecutive calls go to voicemail, the fourth one came through. Only then did I casually press answer. On the other end of the line, Teresa's mother, Abby Spencer, sounded frantic. Her voice broke into tears. "Colin, where are you? Teresa… Teresa is in trouble. You need to get here right now—"