Beneath the Wedding Toast

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It was my birthday. I'd booked a table at a fancy restaurant, but my wife and father-in-law both claimed they had to work late. Though disappointed, I understood. I enjoyed the meal alone.

Then my phone buzzed with a wedding livestream. There, in a suit, toasting the guests, was my father-in-law.

This first toast is to myself. Ive endured every hardship building this business and raising my daughter. Today, I finally live for myself.

The second toast is to surviving. For my child, I endured a stifling marriage. Now, Ive found someone who truly cherishes me.

The third toast is to my family. Look at this tablemy daughter, my wife, and my devoted Wilson. This is our family, complete. I just pray my daughter doesnt follow in her fathers footsteps.

Watching my wife nestled in the mans arms, gazing at my father-in-law with emotion, cold dread spread through me. I picked up my phone and revoked their unlimited signing privileges at the hotel.

I wanted to see how this happy family would manage to leave today.

The company just closed a huge deal. To celebrate, I gave all my employees the

day off. Finally, I had some time free from my busy schedule. Coincidentally, it

was my birthday, so I booked a table at a high-end restaurant, planning a nice

weekend with my wife and her family.

But my father-in-law claimed he had important matters to attend to, and my wife,

looking apologetic, explained she had to work overtime at her company and

couldnt make it. I understood, regretfully heading off to enjoy the lavish

meal by myself.

While scrolling through my phone, however, I was pushed a live stream of a

wedding. It was, unmistakably, taking place at a hotel under my companys

ownership. And my father-in-law was there, in a grooms suit, smugly toasting

the guests, with my wife smiling and sitting beside him.

In the live stream, the woman clinging to my father-in-law looked familiar. She

was the nurse wed hired when my mother-in-law was gravely ill. My father-in-law

had, at some point, gotten involved with her. What angered me even more was that

the wine my father-in-law was toasting with was the very jar of daughters red

that my mother-in-law, in her final moments, had painstakingly prepared and

sealed for our future child. My mother-in-laws blessings were still faintly

visible on it.

Yet, his relatives acted as if they were blind, echoing my father-in-laws

words, saying he had finally overcome his hardships. This wedding, it seemed,

was being held at the expense of my mother-in-laws and my dignity!

My rage boiled. My hand trembled slightly as I picked up my phone. I quickly

dialed my wifes number. In the live stream, the moment she saw my name on her

phone, her expression subtly changed. But the next second, she chose to hang up,

then flipped her phone face down.

Not giving up, I bombarded her with calls. After several rings, I saw my

father-in-law frown, pick up my wifes phone, and tap it a few times. When I

called again, the line just kept showing in use, and her phone didnt react at

all. Not only that, but whether it was WhasApp or other contact methods, all

showed Id been blocked. My father-in-laws phone was the same.

I took a few deep breaths, then called my wifes aunt. This time, it was

answered quickly. But the voice on the phone was no longer as amiable as before;

instead, it held a sharp, disdainful edge.

Well, well, isnt this Ethan Gummer? What, not going to your dead-end job today?

You actually have time to call me?

Her words were harsh, laced with schadenfreude, but I had no time to argue with

her.

Put Joyce on the phone. I need to talk to her.

Whats with your attitude, man? Dont think youre still a son-in-law of the

Hayes family. My brother didnt even invite you to his wedding. If you ask me,

young Wilson is much more sensible than you. Youre simply not good enough for our

Joyce!

I almost laughed in anger. The Hayes familys true colors were utterly

shameless. When they thought I had value, they were all respectful. Now,

believing my father-in-law was rich and seeing his displeasure with me, they

were openly hostile.

Think carefully. I havent divorced Joyce yet. We are legally married. Hand

the phone to her, now!

The aunt hesitated this time. She mumbled some unsavory words, then held the

phone out. I watched Joyce in the live stream, frowning and shaking her head,

and heard her voice through the earpiece, refusing to take the call. My

father-in-law chimed in from the side, impatiently waving his hand at the aunt.

Why pick up? Its my big day, and this tactless fool just has to interrupt.

Dont waste words on him!

Hearing that, the aunt scoffed dismissively and immediately hung up.

I held my phone in silence, feeling as if I were watching some absurd

tragicomedy unfold. My wife of ten years betrayed me, falling for another man.

And my father-in-law, who had been a model husband to my mother-in-law, had

apparently never liked her from the start. Hed feigned affection for years,

waiting for my mother-in-law to pass, only then revealing his true self.

Their proclaimed family never included my mother-in-law or me. It turned out

love truly could be an act. And now, the curtain was about to fall on this

performance.

Recalling everything from the past, I felt a faint ache in my chest. I stared

blankly at my phone. In the live stream, my father-in-law was proposing to his

second spring, his face beaming with happiness.

But the dowry he offered her made me utterly disbelieving.

My father-in-law was smiling like a giddy teenager, excitedly slipping a ring

onto Serenas finger. Before, when my mother-in-law was alive, he always

maintained an air of detached intellectualism, never getting emotional, much

less losing his composure like this.

Your willingness to marry me truly moves me. Meeting you, I finally understood

what a true soulmate is. I wish I had been with you from the very beginning.

Serena, dont you worry. I wont shortchange you. This hotel and the villa at

home will be transferred to your name tomorrow. Consider it a small token of my

affection.

As for Wilson, I know hes a filial boy. Hes the son-in-law Im truly pleased

with. So, Ill make a small sacrifice for him. Just let him tolerate that

troublesome one at home. As compensation, Ill give him that estate on the city

outskirts.

Serena and her sons eyes gleamed as they listened. My father-in-law then turned

and patted Joyces shoulder.

Daughter, your dad has faith in you two. I just really dont want you and Wilson

to go down the same old path your dad did.

Joyce was overcome with emotion, feeling her fathers profound love for her.

I was so disgusted I couldnt speak. The hotel, the villa, and the estatethey

were all my assets. On what grounds did my father-in-law think Id willingly

give them away?

Truth be told, Joyce and I came from vastly different backgrounds. I was the

eldest son of the Gummer family; she was from an ordinary working-class family. Our

marriage only happened thanks to my mother-in-law.

My mother-in-law and my birth mother had been best friends since childhood. Even

after my mother-in-laws family went bankrupt, it didnt affect their bond. My

mother passed away after giving birth to me, entrusting me to my mother-in-law

on her deathbed. My father, busy with the company, was often absent, so my

mother-in-law essentially raised me. In my heart, she was no different from my

birth mother.

So, after she married, I often visited. My decision to be with Joyce, besides

genuinely liking her, was also partly influenced by wanting to stay close to my

mother-in-law. Over the years, the Hayes family had largely thrived, smoothly

sailing through life, relying on my mother-in-laws and my resources. When my

mother-in-law passed away, I was more heartbroken than anyone else, burying

myself in work to numb the pain.

Truthfully, I wasnt entirely against my father-in-law finding a new partner. My

mother-in-law had even encouraged me to accept it before she passed. But this

was too fast. My mother-in-law had only been gone for six months, and he was

already married to another woman, who, to top it off, was the nurse who had

cared for my mother-in-law. The thought of them hooking up right by my

mother-in-laws sickbed filled me with an uncontrollable hatred.

Joyces reaction chilled me even more. My father-in-law had never lifted a

finger; my mother-in-law had handled all of Joyces upbringing and daily needs

since childhood. Yet, not only was she not angry about her fathers betrayal,

she sympathized with him, claiming to have found true love herself. The child

my mother-in-law gave birth to had become a sharp knife plunged into her.

Joyce was worse than a piece of rotten meat!

I watched as the crowd below cheered, and the comments section flooded with

praise for my father-in-laws generosity and his image as a good man. A fleeting

comment asking if I, her rightful husband, would agree, was noticed by a

relative. He rolled his eyes, then nosily asked the question aloud.

My father-in-law on stage scoffed, a look of domineering authority on his face.

How dare he disagree? He eats my food, uses my things, I support him. Its

generous enough that I havent made my daughter divorce him. What right does he

have to stop my daughter and me from pursuing true love?!

The audience applauded loudly. Watching Joyce tightly clasping Wilsons hand, I

let out a cold laugh.

My past sincerity? I guess I just fed it to the dogs.

My father-in-laws words were very true. They ate my food, used my things, I

supported thembut not so they could step on my mother-in-law and me to pursue

true love!

I picked up my phone and revoked their unlimited signing privileges at the

hotel. I wanted to see how this happy family would manage to leave the hotel

after I stopped being their blood bank.

You see, at my father-in-laws insistent request, this wedding banquet, from the

food to the decorations, was all of the highest possible standard. After a

moments thought, I called the hotel manager, instructing him to settle the bill

immediately. After all, without an audience, I feared my father-in-laws little

show wouldnt last.

The hotel managers face immediately tightened upon receiving my call. When my

father-in-law had made the booking, he had used my name. Now I was telling the

manager I didnt know them. Realizing the enormous cost of the event, and

fearing a no-show, the manager disregarded the lively scene and hurriedly ran up

to demand payment.

My father-in-law, his declaration to Serena interrupted, shot an annoyed glance

at the manager.

Is this your hotels service attitude? Coming to collect payment in the middle

of a wedding banquet?

The relatives below chimed in, supporting him.

Exactly! How tactless is this guy? Ive never been to a wedding where they

demand payment halfway through!

Old Man Hayes is your companys boss, isnt he? If you do this, youll be

fired!

My father-in-law, basking in the flattery, nodded at the crowd below, proudly

promising.

From now on, anyone who wants to come, just come and have fun. Just tell them

my name, Garrett Hayes, when you check out. My Hayes family has plenty of

money!

Serena also smiled and nodded.

Thats right, were all family. Once its under my name, everyone is welcome

anytime. Id be delighted.

But the manager remained unmoved. He had received my call and naturally knew my

father-in-laws lies. My father-in-law, seeing his persistence, gave him a cold

look.

No common sense, huh? Fine, settle the bill now. Once youre done, you can pack

your things and leave. My hotel doesnt need you!

Seeing him agree to pay, the manager nodded and presented the bill.

Your wedding venue decoration and food together total one and a half million

dollars. How would you like to pay?

Pay? Im the owner of this hotel. I have signing authority. Bring it, Ill

sign!

The manager was quite confused, but still, upholding his professional integrity,

he checked his phone. Then he looked up at my father-in-law.

I apologize, sir, you do not have authorization at this hotel Do you have

another payment method?

My father-in-laws face turned ugly. He stared at the manager in disbelief. The

relatives below also fell silent, their gazes subtly sweeping over my

father-in-law. He flushed crimson, pulling Joyce forward.

I must have forgotten to activate my own authorization. Swipe her card. I

remember I gave my daughter full access!

My father-in-law thought I was just trying to block him. He was convinced I

wouldnt deny my wife access, but he was destined for disappointment.

This lady also has no authorization. How would you like to proceed, sir?

This time, Joyces face also changed. She tried to appear calm, reassuring her

father.

Its okay, it must be a system glitch. Lets just settle the bill directly.

Its all just transferring money from one pocket to another anyway.

She said, pulling out the black card I had given her.

Use this card to pay.