Total pages in book: 119
Estimated words: 113330 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 567(@200wpm)___ 453(@250wpm)___ 378(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 113330 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 567(@200wpm)___ 453(@250wpm)___ 378(@300wpm)
“Iris,” Dad breathes as I approach him and my brother in a quiet corner of the church’s hallway. “You look so much like your mother in that dress.”
“You look beautiful, Iris,” my brother, Atlas, agrees. He’s the only person who never fell prey to Brandon’s charms. In fact, my brother has flat-out never liked Brandon, for reasons he couldn’t articulate other than to say, “I don’t know, he just seems super fake to me.” That comment always baffled me as much as it annoyed me. But now I know my little brother had a sixth sense all along.
I look around to make sure nobody can overhear the shocking thing I’m about to say to my family. God knows I especially don’t want to say this to my father. He’s always loved Brandon like a son.
“I’m not going through with the wedding, Daddy.”
“What?”
“Let me explain without interruption,” I whisper urgently, glancing around. “We don’t have much time.” I give them a quick summary of what’s happened, and with each new sentence out of my mouth, my father looks more and more like he wants to throw up, while my brother looks more and more like he wants to commit an extremely violent murder.
“I always knew something was off about him,” Atlas says through gritted teeth.
“Believe me, I wish I’d listened to you. I guess I was too brainwashed.”
“I can’t believe this is happening,” Dad murmurs, rubbing his forehead. “I never thought Brandon would—”
“He would, Daddy, and he did. Repeatedly, and for a very long time.” To emphasize my point, I pull out Brandon’s burner phone and quickly show them a string of dirty texts from about two years ago—the one where Brandon told some woman he was coming over that night to “rail” her until her insides were “scrambled.” “This is just one of many, many examples,” I say. “He’s been cheating on me since we got to Denver, at least. Probably longer, but this phone doesn’t go back that far.”
“But why?” Dad laments. “When he’s got the best girl in the world?”
“It’s pointless to ask why. I don’t even want to hear his excuses. All I want to do is unmask him in front of everyone he knows so I can get on with my life and never look back.”
Dad furrows his brow. “Unmask him? What does that mean?”
I tell Dad my plan to out Brandon at the altar as the lying, cheating scumbag he is, and my father looks like he’s on the cusp of a heart attack.
“No, Iris. You can’t do that. Please, no.”
“That’s exactly what she should do,” Atlas insists. He pats my shoulder. “Go for it, sis. I’ll tackle him to the ground if he starts anything.”
“Physical violence won’t be necessary. I’m going to say my piece calmly and succinctly, and then walk out with my head held high.” I touch my father’s arm. “I’m not asking for your permission, Daddy. I’m giving you fair warning so you can brace yourself or choose not to walk me down the aisle, as planned.” I pull away and begin to wring my hands. “I would have told you about this last night, but since we can’t get any of your money back, I figured I’d take some time to decide what to do for myself.”
“Don’t worry about the money,” Dad mutters, still rubbing his forehead. “That’s the least of our concerns.”
My heart squeezes with affection for my sweet father. He’s not a wealthy man. Not even close. So, the fact that he said that, and with such sincerity, touches me deeply.
Dad takes my hand. “I’m worried you’re going to regret handling things in such a public way. You’ve never liked being the center of attention.”
My brother shakes his head. “If ever there was a time for Iris to get out of her comfort zone, this is it. That motherfucker deserves to be publicly shamed, Dad.”
“Don’t say that word here, Atlas,” Dad snaps. “We’re in a church.”
Atlas scoffs. “So, it’s okay for a scumbag to stand in a church and pretend to be the world’s most perfect guy, but I can’t call him out for it while standing in a hallway?”
Dad sighs. “I can’t believe this is happening.”
I squeeze my father’s hand. “Some of Brandon’s clients are here today. Don’t you think they deserve to know about Brandon’s true character? If he was willing to cheat and lie with me, then what’s he been doing with their money? There are weird bank notifications on the phone, Dad—from a bank I’ve never seen Brandon use. I don’t know what it all means, but I think it’s possible Brandon’s been stealing money at work.”
“Jesus,” Dad says, running his free palm down his forlorn face.
“Do you remember what Mom used to say about us doing things in secret?” Atlas prompts.
Dad nods slowly before whispering, “‘If you’re too embarrassed to do something loud and proud and in front of the whole world, then that’s your sign you shouldn’t do it at all.’”