Chapter 2

It was not just me who was taken aback. Shirley's parents were appalled:

"Shirley! Don't be so ungrateful! Your husband has been more than fair to let you meet another man on your wedding day. How can you ask for something so outrageous?"

My own family was fuming.

"What do they take our kid for? Whoever heard of swapping grooms mid-wedding? It's disgraceful!"

Shirley, under fire from all sides, was sweating bullets. However, even so, she was not ready to back down.

"Anthony, this is my final plea to you. After this, I'll follow your lead, okay?"

The whispers around us swelled, their message clear: if I could stomach this, then I was the ultimate doormat.

However, hey, being the target of ridicule was old news to me.

The taunts grew harsher, yet they paled in comparison to the physical agony I faced in my previous life.

I let out a weary sigh.

"No worries, life's too precious, and my feelings? They're small potatoes."

My cool-headedness shone next to Hank's tantrum, drawing a frown even from Shirley.

Hank, catching her look, lost his cool.

"If you hadn't snatched Shirley from me, would I have to act this way? You're the real intruder here!"

The crowd erupted, scolding him for his pettiness, his ingratitude, and for lashing out at me.

Hank went white as a sheet but stood his ground.

"You don't get it! Shirley's heart belongs to me. If it weren't for all the family gossip, we'd already be hitched!"

I nearly burst out laughing.

Shirley's reputation was her everything, and Hank's public outburst?

He was dancing on her last nerve!

As expected, Shirley cut him loose: "What are you blabbering about? Anthony's the good guy here, stepping in so you wouldn't mess up. Me? I've got zero interest in you."

Hank realized his blunder and, feeling the heat, reluctantly hung his head in apology.

"I got carried away. I thought you were finally coming around to me."

"So, are we good for the wedding? Anthony doesn't seem to mind."

Shirley's eyes flickered with worry as she edged closer, reaching out to wrap me in a comforting hug. I sidestepped her silently, muttering an excuse about needing the restroom.

No sooner had I stepped out than I caught Shirley on stage, gazing at Hank with such tenderness it was almost sickening. Reluctant? Her smile was so wide it could have split her face.

I was ready to bail when Hank leaped from the stage, beelining for my brother with a snarl, "What did you say? Say it again!"

My brother stood his ground, firing back, "You two are made for each other, both so low and despicable!"

In a flash, they were tangled in a brawl, the hidden turmoil beneath our calm façade bursting forth.

I could take a hit, but my family? That was another story. I stormed over, fury fueling my hand as it met Hank's cheek with a resounding smack. "Enough already, will you!"

My brother, my little sidekick since forever, was ready to fight my battles, especially since he was my rock when life knocked me down. I owed him everything.

In the chaos, I landed a few good ones on Hank, puffing his face up like a balloon. However, then Shirley, frantic to defend her sweetheart, shoved me hard.

I stumbled back, my head crashing against the sharp corner of a wedding prop. The room spun, screams pierced the air, "Blood! There's so much blood!"

My forehead split open, a crimson flood unleashed.

The old fear of death, a shadow from another life, crept over me.

Shirley was a mess of panic, "Are you okay?" She reached out, but I shoved her away, done with her, done with words.

My little brother jumped, tears streaming down his face.

"Don't freak me out! What's wrong with you? We need to get to the hospital! Now!"

I tried to tell him I was okay, but my head was spinning so much that all I could do was lean into his embrace.

So, the chaos came to an eerie close.