I offered my friends my backyard as a free wedding venue, thinking it was a simple favor—a way to share the beauty of my new home. It was the very place I grew up, featuring a lake, a gazebo, and open space. I had purchased my grandparents’ house last summer as a fresh start, a symbol of new beginnings. However, my past relationship with Michelle had complicated things. After four years together, I discovered she had been hiding significant financial struggles from me, which led to our separation six months ago. Despite this, she still hoped for reconciliation.
One of my oldest friends, Stan, was marrying Betty, who happened to be Michelle’s cousin. A few months ago, Betty asked if they could use my backyard for their wedding. “We love the gazebo—it’s perfect! It would save us so much on a venue,” she said enthusiastically. Stan added, “Come on, man. It’d mean the world to us.” Wanting to help, I agreed without hesitation.
Recently, I started seeing someone new—Maggie. She is kind, mature, and brought a refreshing change from my past. Naturally, Michelle wasn’t happy about this and had been reaching out in subtle ways. However, I focused on moving forward.
Two days before the wedding, Stan and Betty approached me with an unexpected request while we were in my kitchen. Betty hesitated before saying, “We wanted to talk to you about something.” Stan looked uncomfortable and finally said, “We think it would be best if you didn’t bring a date to the wedding.” I was taken aback. “What?” I asked, surprised. Betty quickly added, “It’s for Michelle’s sake. She’s having a hard time, and we don’t want any tension.”
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