The Game Was Rigged
The night before I officially registered my marriage, my friends convinced everyone to play a "mystery box game."
The female guests each placed a gift into a box, and the gifts were randomly given to the men at the party.
Everyone said it was the fairest way.
When I opened my box, there was only a thin card inside.
It said, "Thanks for participating."
The entire room instantly went silent. Some people couldn't hold back their laughter.
My fiancée, Charlotte Kilbourn, reached over and straightened my collar. "Your luck is still terrible."
Lyra Sharpe, my childhood friend who grew up with me, whispered, "Just smile. Don't make people think you're a sore loser."
Meanwhile, Connor Winfield got the hidden prize in the same round.
Inside were a limited-edition mechanical watch personally chosen by Charlotte, a couples' island vacation package I had dreamed about for three years, and a handwritten note from Lyra that said, "We'll always protect you."
I forced myself to laugh along, then placed the card back into the empty box.
I thought winning a game was just about luck.
But when I went to the restroom, I overheard the host checking the prize list in the lounge.
"Ms. Kilbourn, you didn't give out the prizes wrong, did you? The hidden prize went to Mr. Winfield, and the participation prize went to Mr. Rayner."
Charlotte answered calmly.
Lyra laughed and added, "That's right. He won't take it seriously."
Standing outside the door, I suddenly remembered the night I turned 18, when I stood in the rain waiting for the midnight fireworks at my debut party.
Charlotte and Lyra had given the only umbrella to Connor. Then they turned back and told me, "George, you're closer. Just run a few steps and you'll be fine."
That night, after I walked home soaked in the rain, I still believed I was just unlucky.
But tonight, I finally understood the truth.
They had never planned to give me that umbrella from the beginning.
So this time, I tore the card into pieces and canceled my marriage registration appointment.
I didn't want to play a "lucky game" they had already planned for me anymore.