Chapter 3 Part 3 She Come to My Wedding

The long-awaited day finally arrived. He pledged his life to me. He came dressed in a modern brown suit with neatly styled hair, carrying a set of ceremonial accessories. Of course, he wasn't alone; he was accompanied by his friends, who wore white shirts adorned with bow ties. He walked toward the main entrance, passing through my extended family who sat waiting for the groom. Meanwhile, I was ready on the right side, prepared to witness him make his sacred vow.

Shortly after, my father approached Renald to become my guardian, but he didn't immediately sit across from my groom. Instead, he whispered for about 1–2 minutes before finally taking a seat opposite Renald, accompanied by the official who would perform the marriage ceremony.

About three minutes later, Renald successfully recited the sacred vow. His gaze immediately turned to me, as if signaling for me to join him. I walked slowly, feeling the weight of my gown. Renald stood and approached me, taking my hand gallantly amid the smiles of family members.

“Thank you, Re,” I whispered to him.

He simply smiled and looked at me. Step by step, we walked toward the table with the multi-tiered cake. Meanwhile, the guests began standing to enjoy the food and celebrate this modest event. I picked up a glass of water in front of me and sipped it slowly. From behind the glass, I could clearly see the smiles of the guests, radiating joy and enveloping my happiness today. I was finally with the man I had loved for years!

“When will the cake be cut?” my mother asked, slowly approaching from behind. I glanced at Renald, as if seeking his opinion on cutting the cake.

“What do you think, La? Don't just stare at me, answer Mom's question,” Renald teased with a smile.

He managed to fluster me, even though I had just officially become his wife a few minutes ago.

“Alright, Mom, let's do it now. It seems the guests have already started eating,” I replied.

I scanned the room to find Tika, my assistant, but she was nowhere to be seen.

“I think Tika stepped out earlier, La. Let me inform the MC,” my mother offered.

Shortly after, my mother turned and walked through the guests toward Agnes, the master of ceremonies at my wedding.

“Ladies and gentlemen, now that we've enjoyed our meal, it's time for the highlight of the event: the cake cutting by our newlyweds,” the MC announced, prompting applause from the guests.

I picked up the knife provided on the table. It was my first time holding such a long stainless steel knife. I was worried the cake would collapse as soon as I cut it—what an embarrassment that would be!

Renald placed his hand over mine, steadying the knife. Together, we managed to cut a sizable piece of cake, which I then divided into smaller portions. He held up a golden-rimmed glass plate, raising a forkful of cake toward my mouth. I couldn’t look away from his gaze…

Then it was my turn to feed him. Afterward, I placed the plate back on the table. What happened next was unexpected: Renald quickly leaned in and pressed his lips to mine. He kissed me gently at first, then more passionately, his lips parting as he deepened the kiss. I stopped him, pushing him away and wiping my mouth with a tissue.

“Why are you wiping it? Don't you like it?” he asked, his eyes filled with a fiery intensity.

“Darling, I can't wait anymore. Is the event over yet?” he added, his desire evident.

Caught off guard, I tried to remind myself that this was normal—he was now my husband.

“Patience, darling. Just a little longer,” I replied briefly, meeting his gaze.

The earlier scene marked the end of our celebration, accompanied by cheers and applause from the guests. Renald held my hand firmly, his eyes still smoldering with desire. We walked up the stairs to my room. But before reaching the bed, a commotion erupted from downstairs.

“Laila, did you invite this woman to the event?” my father shouted, gathering everyone in the living room.

I turned around and saw my father dragging a woman toward the staircase.

“Tania???” I yelled from the second floor.

“This is a family event. Isn't Tania part of the family?” I replied in a raised voice.

Renald tugged at my hand, silently asking what was happening.

“Wait here, darling,” I said, letting go of his hand and descending the stairs one step at a time. Renald followed me, curious about the unfolding drama.

“Dad, let's talk in the backyard. It's not appropriate to discuss this here with guests still present,” I suggested.

We moved to the backyard, followed by my mother and Renald, who seemed intent on supporting me in this family conflict.

“Bi, please make sure there are no guests left in the front yard,” I instructed Bi Asri.

“Yes, Miss,” she replied, heading to the front yard.

“She chose to leave this family when she got pregnant out of wedlock last year,” my father declared, his voice sharp and cutting.

My father is a man of principle, valuing honor and status above all. To him, Tania had become a disgrace to the family ever since the incident last year when she got pregnant during college. Her child's father, a man 30 years older than her, abandoned her after the affair. Even though Tania is my stepsister, she's still my sibling, the result of my father's past indiscretion with her mother. With her mother now deceased, Tania has no one else but our father, even though he disowned her last year.

“But Dad, wasn't Tania herself the product of your illicit relationship with her mother?” I retorted boldly.

“Laila! How dare you speak like that!” my mother suddenly shouted.

I glanced at her; she was visibly upset by my remark. Although it was true, my father's actions had hurt my mother deeply. After Aunt Monica passed away, my mother had taken it upon herself to care for Tania, even though Tania later betrayed her trust by engaging in an affair with a married man.