“Ten minutes ago,” I continued, feeling a new strength surge within me, “I discovered that the person I was going to marry and my maid of honor are having an affair behind my back. I discovered that this marriage was a business arrangement for him.”
Gasps of surprise filled the church. I saw Jerry’s mother in the front row put her hand to her chest, pale.
“I could have run away,” I said, glancing toward the door where I knew Jerry would appear at any moment. “I could have pretended to be sick. But I realized I have nothing to be ashamed of. The shame is theirs. I came here to give my heart honestly. They came to steal it. So today, instead of celebrating a sham union, I want to celebrate my freedom. I celebrate that I realized it in time. I celebrate that I value myself enough not to accept less than I deserve.”
At that moment, the back doors opened and Jerry rushed in, Vanessa following behind. They were disheveled and flustered. Seeing me at the microphone and hearing the last words, Jerry stopped dead in his tracks. Hundreds of eyes turned toward them. The looks weren’t of admiration, but of judgment and contempt.