At my wedding reception, Liam’s female best friend complained that the traditional reception was boring and proposed a new game: “Tear the Dress.” “Everyone gets to rip a piece of fabric off the bride's wedding dress! You name your price, and the groom has to buy it back!” “Then we’ll stitch all these ‘blessings’ into a new, unique dress!” Chloe grabbed my shoulder strap and ripped it off. I narrowly avoided exposing myself to the entire room. “Like this! I bid five thousand dollars!” Liam gave her an indulgent smile and took the piece of tulle from her hand. Chloe winked and mirrored a Venmo transfer onto the massive reception projector screen. “Chloe always knows how to party!” “If it’s true love, he’s gotta pay up!” Liam’s groomsmen and friends immediately started cheering and egging each other on. I clenched my fists. Just as I was about to refuse, Liam silenced me with a low whisper: “Chloe’s just making things fun. Don't be a buzzkill.” I froze. When she strapped a balloon to her stomach, faked a pregnancy, and popped it right next to my ear when I tried to listen for a heartbeat—causing me temporary hearing loss—he said she was just "making things fun." The night of our engagement party, when she purposefully left me blackout drunk on the sidewalk outside the club, he said she was just "making things fun." In Liam’s eyes, everything Chloe did was fun. The hem of my dress was being fought over. People were tearing at the fabric. Someone waved a shredded piece of lace in the air, yelling excitedly: “Hurry! Thirty grand!” “If you transfer that money, the wedding is off,” I warned, my voice shaking. Liam frowned. “Everyone came here to celebrate us. Be a good girl. Don't ruin the mood.” Chloe pouted her lips. “Exactly! You're no fun.” The next second, the notification for a $30,000 transfer pinged over the speakers. Surrounded by the deafening noise of the crowd, I suddenly felt incredibly calm. She was right. This wasn't fun anymore. 1 “Let the game officially begin!” As soon as Chloe excitedly made the announcement, the crowd swarmed me. I immediately grabbed the microphone. “DON'T TOUCH ME! THE WEDDING IS OFF!” But the microphone was dead. My warning was completely drowned out by the frenzied screams of the crowd. I looked at Liam in shock. He had signaled the DJ to cut my mic beforehand. He gave me a knowing smirk. He took two steps back, pulling Chloe behind him to protect her. And he let countless hands tear at my clothes. A sudden ringing started in my ears. Yesterday, my family and my actual friends had been tricked by Chloe into taking a boat to an isolated island off the coast, supposedly for a "surprise rehearsal dinner." Right now, I was completely alone. Completely defenseless. All because she thought it was fun. Riiiiiip! Another massive chunk of my dress was torn away. I snapped back to reality, scrambling backward and screaming at the top of my lungs: “STOP! THE WEDDING IS CANCELED! I'M CALLING THE COPS!” The crowd fell silent for a split second. The people who were actively ripping my dress hesitated. “The bride is just joking around, guys! Whoever tore that last piece, come get your money!” Chloe wrapped her arm around Liam’s neck, practically hanging off him, waving enthusiastically at the crowd. Liam smirked, his eyes full of absolute indulgence for whatever Chloe wanted to do. The hesitant guest stepped forward. The sound of a Venmo notification pinged again. With that, the crowd descended on me once more, yelling and grabbing. Soon, I had backed into a wall. My screams were completely drowned out. Countless hands roamed over my body. Less and less fabric remained to cover my skin. “LIAM!” I let out a guttural scream, wrapping my arms around myself and curling into a ball on the floor. Through the gaps in the crowd, Liam looked at the pile of torn fabric next to him. His smile finally vanished. “That's enough!” The crowd was like ants on a sugar cube; they weren't going to stop that easily. “I SAID THAT'S ENOUGH!” The guests finally backed away, looking unsatisfied. Even the crinoline under my dress had been mostly shredded. “I didn't manage to grab a piece before the older ladies got to it, but getting to cop a feel of such a gorgeous girl isn't a bad consolation prize.” “Right? So soft and smooth. Rich guys definitely get the best perks...” “SHUT THE FK UP!” Liam ripped off his suit jacket. When he saw the red scratches on my arms and legs, his expression turned dark. “Didn't I tell you all to know your limits?!” A wave of unease spread across the guests' faces. A low murmur rippled through the crowd. Suddenly, Chloe let out a delicate sneeze. “The AC in here is freezing.” Liam paused. His attention instantly shifted away from me. He took his jacket and draped it gently over Chloe’s shoulders. I violently shivered, goosebumps breaking out all over my bare arms. “Don't be gross, man. Do you see me as a girl or something?” Chloe made a show of trying to shrug off the jacket. Liam held it in place. “Just wear it.” Chloe gave a light huff. “Fine, Daddy accepts your offering. Good boy.” I took a deep, shuddering breath. I reached up, ripped one of the venue’s velvet drapes off the wall, wrapped it tightly around myself, and stood up. He grabbed my wrist. “Where are you going? The reception isn't over.” I let out a cold laugh. “Do you honestly think there's still a wedding to celebrate?” We locked eyes for a few intense seconds before he let go and chuckled. “True. Stitching the dress back together is going to take some time. Go back to the bridal suite and rest.” In that moment, a thousand words rushed to my tongue. Liam, we are done. But in the end, that was the only sentence that mattered. He opened his mouth, about to say something. “Liam! Come look at this pile! I don't know how to put it together!” Chloe was standing in the middle of the shredded tulle, scratching her head. He smiled and shook his head fondly. “And you think I do?” The jacket draped over Chloe’s shoulders... And my ruined wedding dress... They were both custom-made by a reclusive, niche designer. Just because I had casually mentioned how much I loved the designer's work, Liam had flown to Europe over a dozen times, practically begging the designer to come out of retirement. When the dress finally arrived, he treated it with more care than I did. He said it should become a family heirloom. Who knew it wouldn't even survive the wedding day. Liam and Chloe crouched down together to look at the fabric. Suddenly, Chloe picked up a large piece of sheer tulle and threw it over Liam’s head. She lifted the veil, ducked underneath it with him, and pressed her nose against his. Liam froze, his eyes locked on hers. “No way, no way, is the big bad groom getting nervous?” “Don't be gross,” Liam laughed, pulling the fabric off. Chloe tackled Liam to the floor, straddling him and tickling his ribs. “You dare call me gross?! You're asking for it! See how I handle you!” They rolled around on the floor together, laughing. The guests had returned to their tables. The banquet hall was murmuring with gossip. “Rich people are wild. Hiring a bunch of actors to stage a fake wedding reception just because it's 'fun'?” “I don't think so. The bride looked pretty serious to me.” “She was the only one taking it seriously. Did you see any of her family or friends here?” “The groom's parents were hired actors, and the rest of us are basically extras from Craigslist.” “What kind of grudge do they have against the bride? What happened just now was basically assault.” I slammed the door to the bridal suite, shutting out the absurd, blindingly painful scene outside. When I sat down to take off my makeup, I finally realized my entire face was wet with tears. Chloe had been the one to do the traditional 'blessing of the bridal bed' ritual in the honeymoon suite. Now, I didn't even want to touch the mattress. I changed into my regular clothes and pulled off my engagement ring. It wasn't until I called the hospital and successfully bumped up my overseas surgical fellowship departure date that I finally felt like I could take a full breath. I still couldn't reach any of my family or friends. Looking at the severe hurricane warning flashing on my phone screen, panic set in. I called 911. Then, I packed my bag and headed for the nearest marina. When the elevator doors opened, Liam and Chloe were standing right there. He frowned. “Chloe was right. You really did throw a fit and walk out.” Chloe rolled her eyes. “Ugh, women are so much drama.” Liam grabbed my wrist. “Listen to Chloe's explanation.” She shrugged. “If you're mad about Liam being late to the courthouse the day you two got your marriage license, then I have to say you have zero trust in him.” “Liam was super nervous the night before, so we watched some porn to help him relax.” “He and I are bros. We got in the mood, so we spent the night helping each other out. It's totally normal. Stop being such a prude about it.” I didn't respond, and she started looking annoyed. “I filmed those videos so Liam could see what genuine pleasure looks like on a girl's face. So he wouldn't just be faking it.” “Honestly, I did it for your benefit tonight.” “I didn't plan on you ever seeing them.” When it finally clicked what they were talking about, a wave of pure revulsion hit me. I violently yanked my hand away from him. So that was why Liam was completely exhausted the next day and missed our courthouse appointment? He didn't explain it then. He didn't explain it later. He chose to explain it now? My skin crawled where he had touched me. I rubbed my wrist aggressively until it turned red. Liam's face darkened. “Liam, the hurricane is about to hit. Where are my family and friends?” He paused, glancing at Chloe. “I sent a boat out for them.” “Don't you think a bunch of people rowing back in a storm sounds fun?” Chloe casually glanced at her vibrating phone. “Oh? There's a hurricane? Well, they better paddle fast.” My heart stopped. I lunged past them toward the lobby. I bumped into Chloe, making her stumble slightly. Before I could even step into the elevator, Liam grabbed me and yanked me backward. “Apologize to Chloe.” He gripped me incredibly hard, pointing at Chloe's completely unharmed arm. I let out a muffled groan. Cold sweat broke out on my forehead. Liam froze. Following my gaze, he finally looked down at my hand. It was hanging limply. The wrist that had been twisted during the mob on the dance floor was now completely dislocated from his aggressive pull. He stopped breathing. “I didn't mean to...” “Liam. Do you know what a surgeon's most valuable asset is?” He didn't answer. His lips turned white. Years ago, he had stepped in front of an enraged patient's family member, taking a knife to the arm for me. He told me then: “As long as you're safe. A surgeon's hands are priceless.” After we started dating, he took over all the household chores. If it involved heavy lifting, he absolutely refused to let me do it. Because “a surgeon's hands are priceless” and needed to be protected. “Clara, I'm going to treat you so well for the rest of our lives, you'll never want to leave me.” Back then, I believed his promise. Until Chloe moved back to the States three months ago. My life had been turned upside down ever since. “Whatever, whatever. I've got thick skin. I won't hold it against her.” Chloe waved her hand dismissively. I turned around and stepped into the elevator. Liam and Chloe followed me in. “The dress is stitched back together. Let's finish the ceremony, then we'll go pick them up. It's not like your parents are out there anyway.” My parents died in a car crash the year I met Liam. “Liam, you're only doing this because you know I don't have parents to protect me.” He lowered his eyes and didn't argue. He canceled the button for the parking garage and pressed the button for the banquet hall floor. I reached over, pressed the garage button again, and spoke with pure venom. “After you and Chloe paid a bunch of actors to assault me, do you honestly think I'm still going to marry you?” Liam snapped his head up. “You knew they were actors? Who told you?” He met my furious glare, closed his eyes, and let out a soft sigh. “My family refused to attend the wedding. I just didn't want you to be disappointed by an empty room.” Chloe slapped Liam hard on the back. “My boy Liam practically disowned his own family to be with you.” I stared at him for a long time. This relationship was never supported by his wealthy family. We had stumbled through obstacle after obstacle to reach our wedding day. I couldn't say Liam didn't try. Because even I had been pessimistic. I hesitated for a long time before finally accepting his ring on his third proposal. That was the first time I ever saw Liam cry. “Clara, you can't run away from me now.” He held my hand that entire day and never let go. “Liam. Send a professional rescue team right now to bring my family and friends back safely.” Do that, and I'll consider whether or not I can ever forgive you. “No way! Liam and I made a bet. If they row back themselves, I win. If he calls for backup, he wins.” “If you make him call for backup, that's cheating. That ruins the whole game.” Chloe, leaning her head on Liam's shoulder, looked at me with deep annoyance. “You need to be a good sport. Just like the dress-tearing game. Liam paid for it, you didn't lose anything.” She grumbled under her breath. “Calling it assault... I thought you were different from his last girlfriend. I thought you could take a joke.” “If you knew that Liam and I spent the other night doing a sensory deprivation game, sleeping naked in the same bed, you wouldn't—” “Shut up,” Liam cut her off. Chloe scoffed and stopped talking. “Chloe knows her limits. You need to have some faith in them,” Liam said, avoiding my eyes. My heart went completely, irreversibly cold. “Be a good girl. Chloe planned all the reception games. Don't waste her hard work.” Liam confiscated my cell phone and locked me inside the bridal suite. I borrowed the makeup artist's phone. When I finally got through to the Coast Guard, I was informed that everyone on the isolated island had been evacuated. Fifteen people. My closest family and friends. Many were suffering from severe sunburns, illness, and sheer terror. The most severe case was my best friend, who had been bitten by a venomous insect while sleeping on the beach. She was three months pregnant. All of this happened just because Chloe thought it would show "true sincerity" if the bride's family had to trek through the wilderness to attend the wedding. The rescue team had tried to call me after they were evacuated, but my phone was already turned off. The guilt and rage were impossible to suppress. It was my fault. I should have double-checked their transportation five times instead of trusting Liam. I pulled the shredded, ruined wedding dress on over my regular clothes. I had the makeup artist help me out of the room. I grabbed two open bottles of red wine from a catering cart. I marched straight up behind Liam and Chloe, who were sitting at the sweetheart table taking photos. I dumped both bottles over their heads, soaking them from scalp to toe. Chloe shrieked and jumped up. “ARE YOU INSANE?! THIS DRESS IS A LOANER HAUTE COUTURE! IT'S THE ONLY ONE IN THE WORLD!” “You dumped my pregnant best friend on a deserted island to get bitten by toxic bugs! I THINK YOU'RE THE INSANE ONE!” Chloe gasped for breath, turning to Liam. “Liam! Are you just going to sit there and let her assault your best friend?!” Liam looked like his patience had finally run out. “Clara, that is enough! You're ruining our perfect wedding! Chloe has been nothing but nice to you!” I stared at Liam in absolute disbelief. “Did you hear what I just said? Maya is pregnant. She was left on an island overnight and bitten by toxic bugs.” Liam's expression didn't change. “Didn't you say the Coast Guard got them?” “They don't even know if her baby is going to survive!” My throat was raw. Liam’s tone was completely indifferent. “It's not my kid. She just had bad luck. You can't blame Chloe for that.” Looking at Liam, a bone-deep chill washed over me. When his entire family told him not to date me, Maya was the one who supported us. When Liam and I had horrible fights, Maya was the one who ran back and forth to help us communicate and clear up the misunderstandings. After I accepted his proposal, Liam said Maya was the MVP, and he would be grateful to her for the rest of his life. I guess his 'rest of his life' was incredibly short. I ripped off the shredded wedding dress and threw it at him. Liam's face changed instantly. His eyes went red, and he grabbed me by the chin. “Clara, are you threatening me?” “You promised me you would never treat our marriage like a joke.” He shoved me away violently. I stumbled and fell to the floor. Liam turned and picked up two covered boxes from the main table. He took long, angry strides toward the massive decorative aquarium in the center of the banquet hall. The second I recognized the boxes, all the blood rushed to my head. Chloe grabbed me in a chokehold from behind as I tried to lunge forward. “I specifically had your parents' urns dug up from the cemetery! I was going to give them to you as a surprise later.” “I thought it would be so funny to see your dead parents attend the wedding.” She clicked her tongue. “But you really pissed Liam off this time.” My throat was so tight I couldn't speak. I could only desperately reach my hand out in a futile attempt to stop him. The same Liam who had knelt at my parents' graves and sworn he would never break my heart... Was now throwing my parents' remains into the one thing they feared most before they died in a submerged car crash: deep water. “Clara. You ruined our wedding.” Liam pulled out a pocket square and wiped his hands. “Now you know how it feels when something you care about gets destroyed.” My mouth hung open in a silent scream. I watched the water in the aquarium turn a murky, cloudy grey, frozen in place. “Alright, everyone out. The wedding is postponed.” The hired actors immediately scattered. Liam put a protective arm around Chloe to lead her out. “Take some time to think about what you did. The wedding is moved to three days from now. I won't tolerate another tantrum like this.” I stood there for a very long time, until the lavishly decorated banquet hall was completely empty. I pulled out my phone and dialed a number that had called me dozens of times over the years. My voice was completely hoarse. “I agree to leave Liam. But I have one condition.”
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