Jilted At The Altar

"You have no idea how foolish you have made yourself look," Lucas said, inches away from Arnold.

Arnold's eyes widened as he stared at his best friend speaking to him that way. He couldn't believe that someone he trusted with his heart would ever treat him like that.

"Why?" He asked Lucas slowly. "Why would you do this to me?"

Lucas threw his head back and laughed. "Vera was never yours. Do you know how long I have been sleeping with her? Do you know how long I have been taking care of her and paying her bills? Well, I guess you are too slow to notice things. That's exactly why you think she would settle for you. You wretched low-class trader."

Arnold shook his head. Lucas's words pierced his heart like a knife. "Is that why you refused to help me all this time? Is that why you won't help me with money to promote my business? Because you were sleeping with my girlfriend?"

Lucas grinned. "Finally, you're beginning to catch on. Well, that was part of the reason. I'm shocked you're not completely stupid and useless."

"Of course, he is," Vera said behind them. "He is the most useless man I have ever met."

She walked up to Lucas, standing right in front of Arnold. She glared at him, and he could see the look of disgust on her face.

"You don't know how long I have waited for this day," She said, smiling widely. "I have waited so long for the day I will leave your wretched life and marry the man of my dreams."

"I thought you loved —"

"Love? You thought I loved you?" She asked, cutting Arnold off. "Only a fool will love a man like you. What exactly am I supposed to love about you?"

"I have been planning this for so long. Day by day, I waited patiently for when you could save pennies for our wedding so I could execute my plan. I even told many of my aunts and uncles here. And do you know the best part?"

She narrowed her eyes, and her smile twisted into a frown. "They were in support of my decision. They want the best for me, so they will never let me marry a man like you. They are not here for the wedding. They are here to watch me humiliate you."

"Is this what I get for everything I have done for you?" Arnold asked, his voice shaking.

"Everything you have done for me? What have you done for me? If you know how much I have wanted to do this, you won't be saying that. I want you to remember today for the rest of your life and carry the scar on your heart forever. That's the least I can offer."

Lucas chuckled at her statement, and she joined him. Arnold watched them, and his heart bled from the heartbreak.

"You must think that giving her twenty dollars per week is something to be proud of. What can that buy in a classic store? And you claim you have done so much for her." Lucas said and wrapped his hand around Vera's waist.

Vera looked down and saw the ring Arnold gave her. She kicked it toward him with her leg and hissed. "Look at the measly ring you got for our wedding. How much did you get it? Fifty dollars?" She mocked him, and Arnold laughed. "I can't believe I almost got married to you."

The court remained silent as they watched the exchange with puzzled looks. Some of Vera's relatives who had anticipated the drama watched excitedly. Arnold's co-workers looked at him with pity and regret.

"Baby, can you believe it?" Vera asked, turning to Lucas. "I had to borrow this old wedding dress from my aunt. I almost got married in rags. Can you imagine that?"

Lucas shook his head. "Don't you worry, darling. For our wedding, I will get you a very expensive designer wedding dress. Just name anything you want, and it will be yours."

Vera squealed excitedly and hugged him. "And that's why I love you."

As they pulled away, Lucas took out a small box from his jacket and opened it to reveal an expensive diamond ring. Vera gasped immediately she saw it and extended her fingers. Lucas wore the ring on her finger, and she giggled shyly.

"I love it, and it's beautiful. Thank you so much, baby." She purred, and Arnold kissed her. They turned to face Arnold after the kiss. Tears had gathered in his eyes, but he tried to hold them back.

"This is where we say goodbye, Arnold," Vera said. "I wish things turned out differently, but you're too poor for me. I need a man who can take good care of me."

"Don't do this, Vera," Arnold begged. "I made sure I paid all of your fees in university so you can have a degree. Together, we can promote my business, and we can save money. Don't leave because of him."

Vera chuckled. "You see, things can never work out between us. You're built for the tough life, and I am not. I am not ready to suffer with you for years. I love Arnold, and he loves me too. And unlike you, he has all the money to take care of me." She extended her ring to Arnold's face so he could see it clearly. "You'll probably work for twenty years before you can afford this ring. I deserve better."

"Yes, you do," Lucas said, smiling. "Now, let's leave the hopeful fool to finish his wedding. Oh, I forgot. He has no bride." They both erupted with laughter, and Arnold gritted his teeth as he watched them.

"Have a nice life, loser," Vera said and turned to leave. "I hope you find someone to accept your rags."

Lucas pulled out a ten-dollar note from his wallet and shoved it into Arnold's pocket. "In case you need a ride home. It's your wedding day, so you should not walk home."

With that, they walked away from the court. Some of Vera's relatives began to cheer as she exited with Lucas, while others booed Arnold.

Devastated and humiliated among the crowd gathered in the court, Arnold fell to the ground and picked up the ring Vera threw. He placed his hand on his chest and lowered his head. He had worked hard to save about a thousand dollars for the ring. He had wanted the wedding to be wonderful and memorable.

As he held the ring, he broke down in tears. Everything he had worked hard for was in vain. He couldn't bear that his girlfriend had been cheating on him with his best friend. Worse, she had planned to humiliate him on their wedding day. What did he do to deserve such cruelty? He had done everything he could for Vera, and he was repaid with heartbreak. He had invited his co-workers to his wedding only for his bride to jilt him. Why would Vera choose to hurt him that way? Why would Lucas backstab him like they were not best friends?

Arnold was heartbroken as he remained on the ground, bawling his eyes out. The pain was too much to bear alone.

People began to leave the courtroom, murmuring and talking about everything that happened. Some of the guests, besides Vera's relatives, supported her decision. They even mocked Arnold more for being so poor and unable to afford a good wedding dress for Vera. They were happy that she settled for a wealthier man.

While the court emptied, some of Arnold's friends gathered around him to console him. His co-workers felt pity for him as they surrounded him and tried to stop him from crying. However, it was a futile effort as he continued to cry.

Arnold's mind was filled with the memories of his relationship with Vera and everything he had sacrificed for her. He had done everything possible to make her happy from their teenage years.

Although he didn't go to school, he worked hard to pay Vera's school fees. He wanted her to get a degree at all costs. From menial jobs to starting his own small shop, he ensured she had everything she needed to conclude her education. It was too painful to bear that she had dumped him for his best friend after everything.

"Since the intended wedding has been canceled, I ask everyone to leave the courtroom immediately." The officiant announced loudly. He bore an indifferent look as he ordered them to leave. He didn't look sympathetic or like he cared at all.

"Arnold, pull yourself together." One of his co-workers said. "We know this is an unfortunate day for you, but it's time to leave. I am deeply sorry that this happened to you."

Two of his friends lifted him from the ground as he cried. "You will find someone who is better and will love you for who you are." One of them said while holding Arnold firmly.

Arnold said nothing but tears continued to run down his face. With the help of his friends, who held him throughout, he left the court in tears.