A Bride RewrittenChapter 3

"Can you all stop being so pushy?" Then she turned to me. "Zane, just wait two more minutes.

"As soon as Chester fixes the lucky bracelet, we will go inside and get our marriage license."

Wait?

I couldn't help laughing when I heard that.

"Melissa, do you remember the last time?"

She froze for a second.

I continued.

"On our fifth anniversary.

"We agreed we'd go get our marriage license. However, you said Chester had low blood sugar and asked me to wait for you in the lobby for ten minutes. I ended up waiting until the County Clerk's Office closed.

"Then you finally texted me and said he wasn't doing well, so you had to take him home first. You said we could get the license another time."

Melissa's expression changed.

"That was a special situation. He really was feeling awful."

I nodded.

"What about my birthday?

"He sprained his ankle, and you took him to the hospital while I waited for you at the County Clerk's Office.

"And on Valentine's Day, his ex showed up and caused a scene. You told me he was scared and asked me to wait two more days before we got our marriage license."

With everything I brought up, Melissa's expression grew darker.

Chester, however, started crying.

"Zane, are you blaming me for all those things?

"They were all accidents. I couldn't help it."

I looked at him and shook my head.

"I'm not blaming you."

Then I glanced down at my phone. It was 4:51 pm, which meant I had only nine minutes left before the County Clerk's Office closed. Slowly, I put the documents back into my bag.

When I spoke, my voice was calm.

"Go ahead. Fix it.

"I won't rush you anymore.

"However, today, I'm getting that marriage license."

...

At 4:53 pm, my parents called.

My mom sounded excited.

"Zane, did you get the license?

"Your dad and I have all the food ready.

"Your uncle and everyone else will be here soon. We are all waiting for you two to come home and celebrate."

The moment I heard that, it felt like something had lodged itself in my throat.

I could not say a word.

Ryan could not hold back anymore. His eyes were red as he spoke.

"Mrs. Stewart, they still haven't gotten it.

"Melissa's childhood friend broke his lucky bracelet. Melissa wants to wait until he fixes it before they get their marriage license."

Silence filled the other end of the phone.

After a full two seconds, my dad finally spoke, his voice tight with anger.

"Is Melissa there?"

Melissa frowned, but she answered anyway.

"Mr. Stewart, I'm here."

My dad's voice was low and heavy.

"Melissa, you and Zane have been together for seven years.

"He has spent the best years of his life waiting to marry you, only to be humiliated again and again.

"You two keep saying you are going to get married, but every single time something involving someone else gets in the way.

"Does that make any sense to you?"

My mom tried to reason with her too.

"Melissa, do you know Zane got up at five this morning to get ready for today?

"He had his suit pressed three times and changed his tie twice.

"We already decorated the house for the wedding.

"The food is all set out on the table. All our relatives and friends know you two are getting your marriage license today..."

By the end, my mom's voice was trembling.

"And this is already the eighth time!"

"Can you not get the license with Zane first?

"Can Chester's bracelet not be fixed after you get it?"

Melissa was speechless. Chester, however, spoke through his tears.

"Mrs. Stewart, you cannot say that.

"This lucky bracelet is supposed to bring good luck and make their marriage go smoothly. If it breaks, that means something unlucky could happen."

"I'm already trying to fix it. I will have it repaired soon. It won't delay their marriage license.

"I'm sorry."