Lahat ng Kabanata ng I Went From Groom to Brother: Kabanata 1 - Kabanata 9

At half past nine the next morning, I parked in the hotel's underground garage.The moment I stepped out of the elevator, a giant digital screen came into view.It cycled through Gina and Mike Fletcher's wedding photos.Gina smiled elegantly in her wedding gown while Mike stood beside her with one arm wrapped around her waist."Good morning, Sir. Are you here for the wedding rehearsal?"A hotel staff member approached me.She checked the guest list in her hand before looking back at me."You're the bride's brother, correct? The bride asked us to escort you directly to the Purple Gold Ballroom on the second floor once you arrived."I glanced at the guest list. It clearly showed I was the bride's brother."Thank you."Without another word, I headed upstairs.I pushed open the ballroom doors to the brightly lit interior.The wedding march was playing through the speakers as they tested the sound system.The emcee stood onstage with a microphone and the ceremony rundown."Has

Early the next morning, I went downstairs to buy Mom's favorite bagel from the shop at the corner of the street.After breakfast, I'd tell her there was an urgent family matter back in our hometown and drive her out of the city immediately.But when I opened the front door with the breakfast I'd bought, the living room was empty.The dress and red shawl she had prepared the night before were also gone.There was a handwritten note on the coffee table.[Ian, Zac came to pick me up early this morning.][He said you worked late last night and wanted you to sleep a little longer.][I'll head to the hotel first to help Gina welcome the guests. Come over after you wake up.]I ran downstairs, floored the accelerator, and sped straight toward the hotel.When I arrived, the entrance was lined with congratulatory flower stands, and guests streamed inside one after another.Ignoring the people greeting me, I ran directly to the bridal suite on the second floor.When I pushed the door o

The following afternoon, I went back home.Mom was still under observation at the hospital, and I had returned to pack a change of clothes for her.As I stepped out of the elevator, I saw a bouquet of carnations placed outside my apartment door.Drops of water still clung to the petals. It had clearly been delivered only moments earlier.A small card was tucked among the flowers.[Mrs. Jefferson, I'm sorry. Wishing you a speedy recovery. Gina.]I didn't even touch the bouquet. I walked past it, entered the new passcode, and opened the door.My phone kept vibrating in my pocket.It was our mutual friends' group chat.While changing my shoes, I glanced at it.Zac had sent a voice message."Ian, what you pulled yesterday was way over the line. Half the guests left because of you. The Fletcher family's relatives kept asking what was wrong with the bride's family."Katie immediately sent more voice messages."Exactly. Gina cried all night. Her eyes are swollen. That's enough al

As the technician verified each file, he opened the college's dissertation submission system.The two screens were displayed side by side.Multiple core arguments and data models in Gina's final dissertation matched the attachments from my email almost perfectly. Even the subtle formatting habits were identical.More ironically, the technician opened Gina's faculty appointment application.Under the key academic guidance section, the credited name was Mike.The conference room fell silent. Only the sound of the mouse clicking and pages being turned remained.After reviewing the comparison materials, Chris removed his glasses."Ian."He looked at me."If this goes public, it will have a serious impact on Gina's future. Would you consider resolving this privately?"I looked at the name that had replaced mine on the projection screen."I won't," I answered calmly. "The credit belongs to whoever earned it. Our personal relationship isn't part of this investigation, but the origi