A Mask at the Wedding

At the wedding, I recognized at a glance that the masked man standing before me, Howard Larson, was an impostor.

Despite this, I went through with the ceremony as though nothing were amiss.

In my previous life, I exposed the fake groom in front of everyone. Left with no choice, Howard reluctantly returned and completed the wedding with me.

That very night, his childhood sweetheart swallowed sleeping pills and jumped from a building, taking her own life.

When my fianc heard the news, he showed no hint of sadness. Instead, he cursed her, saying she deserved to die.

After the wedding, Howard and I seemed as loving as ever. I even used my family's money to pull his company back from the brink of collapse.

However, on our first wedding anniversary, my husband personally bound me to a helicopter while I was pregnant.

There was no warmth left in his eyes.

"If you hadn't forced me to come back and marry you that day, Joyce would still be alive.

"Why should you get to live so happily? I want you to feel the pain she felt when she died."

He shoved me from an altitude of ten thousand meters. I was utterly destroyed.

This time, I pretended not to notice the deception and completed the wedding with the fake groom.

I wanted to see for myself how, without the Smith family's support, he intended to save the already crumbling Larson Group.

Chapter 1

"Do you take this woman to be your wife, to stand by her through thick and thin?"

"I do," the man said, his voice muffled by the mask.

The guests whispered in awe. Howard Larson, the Larson family's big shot, was so in love with me that he would not let a bad cold stop our big day. He did not want to disappoint me.

"Wait a second."

The man's eyes darted around, and his forehead was dotted with sweat.

I smiled and asked, "Howard, you're looking a bit pale. Too busy with the wedding to remember your medicine?"

He coughed nervously. "Yes, I..."

I signaled the officiant to pause and led the groom to a quiet room.

Just then, my phone buzzed on the table. A bunch of unread texts from Joyce Charlton.

[Bet you didn't know your groom's a phony, huh? Surprise! Howard and I are watching your wedding live. ]

There was a photo too: Howard had his arms around her, his chin resting on her head.

[Forgot to mention, it was my idea. This wedding's just a game to cheer me up.]

I quickly replied.

[Oh yeah? Bet one call from me, and he'll ditch you to beg for my forgiveness.]

The phone went silent. Hook, line, and sinker.

I pocketed the phone and faced the quiet groom.

He was fidgeting. "I... I..."

I gave his shoulder a reassuring pat. "Elias, relax."

He sighed in relief. "You knew all along."

After a quiet moment, he looked like he had made a big decision and took a deep breath.

"Howard doesn't deserve you. He just wants to embarrass you today."

I quickly stepped closer to him and whispered, "I stopped the wedding suddenly, not to call you out, but to ask you to help me put on a play."

I did not know until after I died in my previous life that Elias Gibson had a secret crush on me for years.

He was the only one who did not believe I would ever jump out of a plane to end my life.

Later, he figured out Howard was the one who did something terrible to me, but he could not find proof. With no proof strong enough to condemn him, he chose to drag him down with him on the day of my death.

Tears started to roll down my cheeks, and Elias tried to wipe them away in a hurry.

"If you're upset, I can..."

I looked into his eyes and said, "Elias, listen to me, I want to marry you."

We went back to the wedding, and the person in charge said with a big smile, "Now, let's have the bride and groom exchange rings."

I took the ring and tried to slide it onto his finger, but it would not go past his knuckle.

He tried to push it on, but I stopped him.

The guests started to whisper to each other, their voices buzzing like a swarm of mosquitoes.

"What's going on? Is the ring the wrong size?"

"Can't believe they messed up something so important. The Smiths and the Larsons really dropped the ball."

Howard's parents looked really upset down there. They glanced at each other, both looking worried and nervous.

Looks like they knew about the mess Howard planned but did not try to stop it.

My mom looked really worried too, but I gave her a look that said, "It's okay, don't worry."

Then, with everyone watching in shock and confusion, I revealed Elias's true identity.

"Oh my gosh! The groom isn't Howard!"

"Where did the real groom go?"

Chapter 2

Howard's mom, Noelle Collins, snapped out of it first. She ran up to the stage, not caring how she looked: "What... what's happening! Who are you?"

Howard's dad, Andrew Larson, was pale with anger. He shouted at the noisy crowd of guests and reporters:

"Everyone, be quiet! The wedding hit a little snag, but we'll fix it in no time!"

Wow, what a scene.

In my previous life, I was the one panicking on stage, but then it was Howard's parents.

My own mom stood up, shocked, and looked at me worriedly. "Darcy, what's going on?"

I turned and gave my parents a calming look.

In front of everyone's surprised faces, I took Elias's hand. "Thanks for coming to our wedding today. We had a little mix-up with the wedding poster and the rings."

I stopped for a second, then said: "However, it's no big deal, the wedding will go on."

Elias, next to me, stood up straight and proud, like he was claiming his place.

Noelle was shaking with anger as she looked at me. "Darcy, are you crazy! Do you know what you're doing?"

Andrew rushed over too, whispering to me: "Darcy, don't be silly! Stop the wedding now!"

I did not listen to them and passed the microphone to the person next to me.

"Elias, tell everyone why you're here."

Elias and I exchanged smiles, his voice calm and clear.

"Today, I'm standing here because Howard gave me fifteen thousand dollars to pretend to be him at this wedding. "

The moment he said that everyone gasped in shock.

"What? Someone paid to have another person get married for them?"

"Wow, has Howard lost his mind?"

Andrew and Noelle turned pale as ghosts when their secret was out.

My dad was furious. He pointed right at Andrew's nose and yelled: "The Larsons! Howard! You think my daughter's wedding is some kind of joke? This is too much!"

Mom's eyes were bright red with anger. She marched up to the stage, pulled me behind her, and told the Larsons: "We're not going through with this wedding! From now on, the Smiths and the Larsons are done with each other!"

Noelle freaked out as the wedding was about to be called off.

"Darcy, Howard's just being silly. I'll get him to come and say sorry right now."

I just laughed. "Okay, I'll give him another chance. If you can get him on the phone, I'll act like nothing happened."

Elias squeezed my hand tight, and I whispered to him, "Don't worry, Howard's not coming back."

Noelle was desperate, dialing Howard's number over and over.

One call, two calls, three calls...

However, all she got was that chilly recorded voice: "I'm sorry, the phone you're trying to reach has been turned off."

I put on a sad face and said, "Looks like Mr. Larson doesn't want to come back.

"Security, please escort the uninvolved people out."

Andrew and Noelle were lifted by the guards and taken away, as a swarm of reporters eagerly took pictures of them.

My mom squeezed my hand, not asking any questions, but she kept saying:

"Darcy, whatever you decide to do, we're behind you."

Dad gave my shoulder a gentle pat, and I felt a warm glow inside.

In my previous life, I was so set on marrying Howard that it caused a big fight with my family. After I passed away, they were so upset that it was like they aged overnight.

In this life, I'm not going to repeat that mistake.

Howard, the one who caused all the trouble, I would not let him off easy.

Once the wedding was over, I called my assistant right away.

"Stop all deals with the Larson family immediately, and take back every penny we put in."

Chapter 3

The news of my marriage to Elias did not get out fast.

The Larson family kept it quiet to protect their stock prices.

After the wedding, Elias and I got our marriage license in a flash, and then he said he had to go abroad for a few days.

On the other side, Howard, who had no clue, had a great two days at the villa with Joyce before he finally sensed something was off.

Normally, I would have caused a big fuss by then, making him come back, but this time, there was complete silence.

Howard was distractedly swiping on his phone, not even looking up when Joyce called his name.

"No, she's definitely playing games," he thought to himself.

Thinking that, Howard's lips twisted into a smile. He had let her get away with too much.

I never thought I would run into two troublemakers at my dad's business dinner.

Right away, Howard spotted me, but he looked like a storm cloud when he saw me chatting with another guy.

Joyce, after spotting me, pretended to be casual as she rubbed her belly and whined to Howard, "Howard, I can't walk anymore, my feet are killing me."

Howard was all sweet, helping her out, but he kept sneaking peeks at me.

He seemed to be waiting for me to come over and say hi.

Too bad for him, I let him down.

I did not even give him a side glance the whole time.

He lost his cool and marched over to our table, plopped his glass down hard, and blurted out, "Darcy, are you mad at me for having someone else stand in for me at our wedding?"

I did not even want to look at him and got up to leave.

"At the last wedding, Joyce was sick, and we had to rush, that's why I wasn't there."

Joyce swayed over and blocked my path.

"Darcy, don't be mad at Howard, it's my fault for being sick and messing up your wedding..."

Howard just looked at me and laughed like it was a joke.

"Darcy, I never knew you were so touchy, it was just a wedding, right?"

He tried to grab my arm like it was nothing.

I gave him a frosty look and shook off his hand, "Mr. Larson, keep your hands to yourself.

"Didn't your folks tell you about the wedding?"

Howard was confused, "Tell me what?"

Joyce got all flustered, grabbed my wrist, and begged, "Darcy, please, Howard was just trying to do the right thing..."

She was saying we should make up, but her nails were pinching my skin so hard it made me gasp for air.

I jerked my hand away: "Go away!"

"Ah!"

Joyce tumbled to the ground in a mess.

Howard was furious. He quickly helped Joyce up and yelled at me, "You're crazy! Say you're sorry to Joyce right now!"

I just laughed and told the security guard who had hurried over, "Security, kick them out!"

Howard was so mad his face turned dark. "Don't think this will make me notice you. If you just do as you're told, I'll go with you to get the marriage license in a few days."

He thought for sure that if he came back, I would be so thankful and cling to him.

I smiled. "However, I've been married for a while now."

Chapter 4

Howard's smile froze on his face, and he just stood there, his eyebrows knotted up.

"What are you talking about!"

He stepped closer, all high and mighty: "You say you're married, then where's your husband?"

I smirked. "My husband is on a business trip, not like some people who can't do anything without a woman."

Before he could say anything, Joyce's eyes filled with tears. "Darcy, how can you be so mean to Howard."

She stopped on purpose, making Howard look at me with disappointment and anger.

"Darcy, look at how mean you are now, who else would want you but me.

"I'm telling you, quit playing games. It just makes me respect you less!"

I was totally out of patience. "Security! Are you deaf?

"Get these two out of here!" I commanded.

The security guards sprang into action, grabbing one on each side.

Howard writhed like a wild animal, glaring at me as he yelled: "Darcy! How could you do this to me? You're going to be sorry!"

Later that night, a weird text popped up on my phone.

[Bet you didn't see that coming, huh? You think you can just take my Howard away? He doesn't even care, he's off having a blast on vacation with me.]

I knew who it was without even guessing, and I hit 'block' without a second thought.

Andrew and Noelle kept showing up, trying to talk to me, but I would not let them in.

A week later, I timed it just right to meet Elias's flight and drove to the airport.

Stepping into the arrivals hall, who do I see but Howard and Joyce.

They looked like they had been lounging in the sun, sunglasses on, totally chill.

Howard grinned when he saw me. "I knew you couldn't stay away, coming all this way to pick me up."

I ignored him, like he was just some silly boy.

Joyce tried to tease me: "Come on, Darcy, don't be upset.

"Howard didn't mean to leave you out. You're his future wife, you should cut him some slack."

Howard ate it up, reaching out to me, but I dodged his arm. He did not get mad. He thought I was just pouting. "Come on, cut it out. Once we're married, I'll take you on an even fancier honeymoon, okay?"

I did not bother with them and ran straight into Elias's arms. "Honey, welcome home."

Elias caught me firmly and kissed the top of my head gently.

Behind me, Howard's smug grin froze in an instant.

A moment of total silence was shattered by Howard's angry shout: "Darcy! Are you done playing around?"

He stormed over, pointing at Elias and shouted: "You hired an actor just to upset me? Pretty good performance, how much did it cost you?

"Tell me a number, I'll pay you ten times more to leave right now!"

Elias stepped in front of me, his gaze growing intense, and the mood turned icy cold.

However, I grabbed his hand, peeked out from behind him, and calmly stared at Howard's twisted face.

"Howard, you wanted to meet my husband, right?" I held onto Elias's arm, beaming with joy.

"Let me introduce him properly, this is my husband, Elias Gibson."

Howard went pale. "Why is it you?"