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The Next Day
Date: Wedding Ceremony
Preacher: Daisy's Pastor
Bible Text: Philippians 1:9 – "You look beyond, and I am honored to be here."
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Daniel POV
Lucian chuckled. "Honestly, Daniel, do you think he's going to do it?"
Daniel smirked. "I know he will. Don't act like you've never imagined yourself in this situation before."
Lucian laughed, adjusting his wedding suit. Since he was Daniel's best man, he had already finished dressing.
"I never thought I'd see you in a wedding suit," Lucian teased. "I always thought of you as a playboy who wouldn't settle down. Always playing with girls."
Daniel smirked. "And I thought you were never going to be serious, but look at you now. You've changed."
"Yeah, maybe we both have," Lucian admitted.
Daniel glanced at himself in the mirror, adjusting his tie. "So… how do I look?"
Lucian studied him, smiling. "You look great. Don't try to outsmart me—you already know you look good."
Daniel grinned. "Quiet. Just tell me I look good and mean it."
Lucian laughed. "You look too handsome, uncle."
"Thanks, Lucian." Daniel chuckled.
Tracy POV
"Tracy, let's sit down here, at the front row."
"Yes," Tracy hesitated, "I'm not sure… maybe we should just sit at the back."
"Come on, Tracy."
"Okay, fine."
They sat at the front as everyone else began to take their seats. The bride's friends, the groom's friends, the best lady, and finally Lucian all made their way to the altar.
As the time came, the groom walked to the altar too. His eyes searched the crowd until they landed on Tracy—but she quickly looked away, which made him frown a little before trying to compose himself.
Tracy spotted him near the car; she nodded and looked away as the music started to play. Daisy then walked in gracefully, side by side with her father, heading toward the stage. Daisy spotted Tracy too and smirked at her through the crowd, then finally walked up to Daniel, facing him as the priest prepared to start the ceremony.
The priest's voice carried through the silence, his tone solemn as he welcomed everyone. My chest tightened the moment Daniel reached for Daisy's hand. I clasped my own hands together in my lap, trying to steady the trembling.
I told myself I would be fine sitting here, watching all of this unfold—but the truth was, every second felt like torture.
Daniel gaze flicked toward me again. I could feel it, heavy and searching, as though he wanted to read every thought racing through my mind. I didn't dare meet his eyes. Instead, I focused on Daisy—the bride glowing in her gown, her lips curled in that smug smile. She looked victorious.
The priest continued, his words echoing like distant thunder: "We are gathered here today to join this man and this woman in holy matrimony…"
I swallowed hard. My heart thumped painfully against my ribs. I didn't want to see Daniel vow himself to someone else, but my eyes betrayed me—they kept drifting back to him.
He looked handsome. Too handsome. And though he held Daisy's hand, his jaw was tight, his smile forced. For a fleeting moment, I wondered—was he really happy? Or was he, like me, just pretending?
When the priest asked if anyone had reason to speak now or forever hold their peace, my breath caught. My lips parted, but no sound came. I could feel Lucian watching me closely, as if waiting to see if I'd stand up and ruin everything.
But I stayed silent.
And Daisy's smirk widened.
The priest turned to Daisy, his voice firm yet gentle.
"Do you, Daisy Morgan, take Daniel to be your lawfully wedded husband? To have and to hold, in sickness and in health, for better or for worse, till death do you part?"
Daisy's eyes glittered as she looked at Daniel, then—just for a heartbeat—she flicked her gaze toward me. That smirk returned, sharp enough to slice through my chest.
"I do," she said, her voice sweet, steady, and triumphant.
The words echoed in my ears, louder than the music, louder than the whispers in the hall. My stomach twisted, my throat dry, as if those two little words had sealed my fate as well.