The man I was marrying today wasn't Phil anyway. Him not showing up was a bonus.
When I arrived at the hotel lounge, I found people inside who had no business being there.
Phil and Claire.
Claire was seated at the vanity mirror, and Phil stood behind her, both hands resting gently on her shoulders.
Standing there like that, the two of them looked more like today's bride and groom than I ever could.
When she saw me walk in, Claire stood up.
"Oh, you're here! It's your big day with Phil—you don't mind me coming in to keep things warm for you, do you?"
"Oh my God, that dress is gorgeous. Hahaha, Phil really spent a fortune on you this time. You're definitely going to be the prettiest one there..."
I was done listening to Claire's fake sweetness.
"Since when are we on familiar terms? I don't recall us being close."
"And this is my lounge. Who let you in?"
Claire's face went blank with shock, as if she'd never expected me to shut her down without a shred of courtesy.
A beat later, she turned to Phil with a wounded look—but every word that came out was for me.
"What's wrong with you? You're not still worked up over that little thing with the guys the other day, are you?"
"That was days ago. Why are you still holding a grudge?"
"You know what, forget it. Today's your special day with Phil. If me being here really bothers you that much, I'll go."
She made to leave, and Phil grabbed her arm, pulling her behind him.
"Irene, Claire just came to congratulate us. Why are you being so aggressive?"
"She's been my best friend since we were kids—you know that. You disrespect her, you disrespect me!"
I was done holding back.
I slapped Phil across the face. Hard.
"What are you? A good-for-nothing who's never lifted a finger in his life—you think you get to talk about respect with me?"
"If I, Irene Gilbert, hadn't wasted all these years caring about you, you'd be less than nothing in the Cox family. You don't have half your brother's ability, and you think you can stand here demanding face?"
"Oh, and Phil—the word you're looking for now is sister-in-law."
Maybe they didn't hear that last part. Or maybe everyone had watched me love Phil for so long that anything else was simply unthinkable.
Neither Claire nor Phil reacted to it.
Seeing me hit Phil, Claire hurried forward to play peacemaker.
"Now, now, sister-in-law, the ceremony's about to start! What's all this?"