“Chloe, I got you a little pre-wedding present,” I said, my excitement bubbling over. “Initially, I was confused about what to get you since you basically have everything.” I grinned wickedly, savoring the moment. “Then I thought of something perfect.”
Roman chuckled, clearly entertained by my enthusiasm. Chloe’s brows knitted together in confusion.
“What’s that?” she asked, her uncertainty evident.
“Hold on. Let me fetch it right away,” I said, my heart racing.
In the middle of the living room, surrounded by my extended family, I unzipped my suitcase and retrieved the wedding present of the century, wrapped in an elegant black box that gleamed under the light.
I extended my hand, and Chloe took the box, her earlier hesitation fading. “Uh, thanks… I didn’t think of getting you anything,” she said absentmindedly, lowering herself to the height of the cherry wood table.
Roman shot me a knowing glance, already aware of what was inside the box.
I tried to stifle my laughter as she eagerly tore the box open, starting a mental countdown until chaos erupted.
Three…
Two…
One…
“What the hell, Savannah!” she exclaimed, her voice a mix of shock and indignation.
“For heaven’s sake, there’s a child right here!” Mom exclaimed, her voice rising in panic as she quickly shielded Emily’s eyes and ears with her hands. “Put that thing away right now!”
“Oh, this is rich,” Alyssa cackled, her laughter echoing through the room. “Why is it all sticky, Sav?”
“It’s cherry-flavored!” I declared cheerfully, lifting the bottle high above my head like a prize trophy. “You’re welcome, Chlo!”
Chloe’s nostrils flared, her eyes narrowing dangerously as if she were about to unleash a torrent of fury. “Are you actually serious right now?”
“Don’t you like it, Chlo?” I pouted, trying to feign innocence. “I thought it was a thoughtful gift.”
Her cheeks flushed a vivid crimson, and I half-expected smoke to start billowing from her ears any second.
“You thought this was thoughtful?” she hissed, brandishing the Bible, the lubricant, and the card as if they were damning evidence in a courtroom. “A Bible and a damn flavored lube wrapped together with a note that says ‘For marriage and morals. Balance is key.’ Savannah, are you out of your mind?!”
“Language, Chloe! There’s a child present!” Mom interjected sharply, her voice laced with authority.
Chloe dropped the box as if it had just caught fire, her expression a mix of disbelief and outrage.
“I don’t care, Mom! She started it!”
“Don’t you dare use that kind of language with me, young lady!” Mom scolded, her tone firm and unyielding.
Little Emily, ever the curious one, was straining to peek through Mom’s fingers, her wide eyes filled with innocent wonder.
“So, what? Savannah’s not going to get in trouble for this ridiculous box, is that the deal? I swear, Dad will hear about this,” Chloe fumed, her voice rising in indignation.
“What’s wrong with it? It’s just a joke!” I insisted, my defiance bubbling to the surface.
Roman, who had been standing beside me, let out a snort of laughter, unable to contain himself. I elbowed him lightly, but he was too caught up in the moment to notice.
“Oh, how I’ve missed you, Sav,” Alyssa said, tossing her hair over her shoulder with a playful grin. “This takes me back to the chaotic old days.”
Chloe’s nostrils flared again, her irritation palpable. “Can you just shut up for once, Alyssa? You’re driving me insane!”
Mom groaned, sinking into a nearby chair as if the weight of the world had just landed on her shoulders. She continued to shield Emily’s ears and eyes, looking like she was about to faint from the sheer embarrassment. “You’re going to hell, Savannah.”
“Okay, but at least I’ll be moisturized,” I shot back cheekily, a smirk dancing on my lips.
Roman burst into full-blown laughter now, and Alyssa raised her soda can in a mock toast, her eyes sparkling with mischief. Chloe, on the other hand, looked like she was seconds away from committing sororicide.
And then, as if summoned by the chaos, the atmosphere shifted dramatically.
“Wherever there’s trouble,” a deep, commanding voice rumbled from behind us, “there’s Savannah Marjorie Hart.”
The laughter evaporated instantly, as if someone had flicked a switch.
My spine stiffened, and I didn’t even need to turn around to know who had just entered the room.
Dad.
Of course, he had to show up now. Of course, he had to ruin the one moment where I felt like I was finally on top.
“Honey, you didn’t tell me you were done with your meeting,” Mom’s tone softened, a hint of relief washing over her.
“It wasn’t finished; it was cut short. Thanks to Savannah,” Dad replied, his voice taut, each word laced with barely contained frustration.
With a heavy heart, I slowly turned to face him, my pulse racing as if it were trying to escape my chest. There he stood at the foot of the stairs, dressed impeccably in his crisp New Hope Golf Club polo and neatly pressed khaki shorts.
His hair had turned a bit more silver, and the lines on his face were deeper, but his expression remained inscrutable. The same tight-lipped demeanor that had once barked my name like it was a curse.
Chloe crossed her arms, a smug satisfaction radiating from her as she tapped her foot impatiently, clearly relishing this moment.
Her expression screamed it all… ‘Get her, Dad.’
“Hi, Dad,” I managed to say, my voice barely above a whisper.
“Savannah,” he acknowledged with a curt nod, his gaze piercing.
I instinctively grabbed Roman’s elbow, using him as a human shield, and stepped forward, my heart pounding in my ears.
New Book: Back Home to Marry Off Myself
Loredana’s father left the family for his mistress, leaving them to fend for themselves abroad. When life was at its toughest, her father showed up with “good news” after 8 years of absence: To marry off Loredana to a paralyzed son of the wealthy Mendelsohn family.