But I couldn’t play along anymore.
“Excuse me,” I said, turning away from the table. “I need some air.”
The night air hit my face as I stepped onto the terrace, my hands shaking slightly as I braced them against the stone railing. Inside, the dinner continued, the gentle clink of silverware, the murmur of conversation, the occasional burst of laughter. Out here, crickets chirped in the manicured gardens, and a fountain bubbled nearby, sounds that should have been soothing but only highlighted my isolation.
I pulled out my phone, scrolling to find the contact information for Maxwell Jenkins, the wedding planner Cassandra had been working with. I had his number from the group emails about flower arrangements and delivery schedules.
After three rings, he answered.
“Maxwell Jenkins speaking.”
“Maxwell, this is Abram Mitchell, Cassandra’s brother.”
“Oh, Mr. Mitchell. Is everything all right with the rehearsal dinner?”
His voice held professional concern.
“Actually, no. There seems to be some confusion about my invitation. I just discovered I wasn’t expected at the dinner and apparently won’t have a place at the wedding either.”
There was a long pause.
“I… I’m not sure what to say, Mr. Mitchell. This is awkward.”
“Just tell me what you know,” I said, my stomach tightening with dread.
He cleared his throat.
“Your mother specifically instructed us to remove you from all guest lists three weeks ago. She said there had been a family disagreement and you wouldn’t be attending.”
The revelation knocked the wind from me.
Three weeks ago, right after I had transferred the fifty thousand for the flowers.
“And my contribution to the wedding, the payment for the floral arrangements?”
Another uncomfortable pause.
“I was told that was still being provided as a gift regardless of attendance. The contract specified non-refundable deposits, and everything has been ordered and scheduled for delivery.”
“So my family canceled my invitation, but my fifty-thousand-dollar deposit stays,” I said flatly.
“I’m very sorry, Mr. Mitchell. I assumed this was all agreed upon within the family.”
I thanked him for his honesty and ended the call, the pieces falling into place with sickening clarity. My inclusion in wedding emails, my sister’s increased communication. It had all been to secure my financial contribution, not to mend family ties.
The door to the terrace opened behind me. I turned to see Cassandra, her expression a mixture of concern and guilt.
“Abram, are you okay? Mom said there was a misunderstanding with the caterer, but they’re bringing your dinner now.”
I studied my sister’s face, searching for signs of complicity.
“Did you know I wasn’t supposed to be here tonight, Cass? Did you know Mom removed me from the guest lists?”
Her eyes widened, then darted away.
“I… she said you might be too busy with work to attend all the events, so we shouldn’t count on you for everything.”
“But you made sure I knew about the fifty-thousand-dollar flowers, right?”
The words came out sharper than I intended.
Color flooded her cheeks.
“That’s not fair. I wanted you here. I told Mom we needed to include you, but—”
“You didn’t fight her on it, did you? You let her take my money and plan to exclude me.”
“It’s complicated, Abram. You know how she gets. The wedding is in two days, and everything has to be perfect or she’ll make everyone miserable.”
Tears welled in her eyes.
“Please don’t make a scene. Not tonight.”
I laughed bitterly.
“Make a scene? Mom is the one who deliberately humiliated me in front of everyone by not even ordering me dinner.”
The door opened again and Tyler stepped out, concern etched on his face.
“Everything okay out here?”
Cassandra quickly wiped her eyes.
“It’s fine. Just a family thing.”
“It’s not fine,” I said, turning to Tyler. “Did you know your future mother-in-law uninvited me from your wedding after taking my money for the flowers?”
Tyler’s expression shifted from concern to shock.
“What? No, that’s not possible. Cassandra and I approved the final guest list together.”
I looked back at my sister, whose face now showed guilt and fear in equal measure.
“Mom made some last-minute changes,” she admitted quietly. “She said she would handle it.”
Tyler’s jaw tightened.
“And you didn’t tell me? Cassandra, we talked about this. Your mother doesn’t get to control everything.”
Inside, I could see movement through the windows. The main course was being served. My mother sat regally at the center table, holding court as if nothing was amiss.