Never expected my son’s wedding would conclude with flashing lights and a bride running out. The men flashed their badges and yelled Liora’s name, and her face changed like a mask.
My stomach dropped when my son Vion informed me he was engaged to Liora after three weeks of dating. Cassian grilled burgers outside as I made a salad at our Sunday dinner. Vion remained silent all night, discreetly smiling at his phone.
“Mom, Cassian, I’ve got big news,” he remarked, carefully setting his water glass down.
Cassian entered from the patio with a spatula. “All right, kid? ”
“Better than good.” Vion grinned widely. “Getting married.”
I mishandled salad tongs. You’re what? ”
Her name is Liora. Mom, she’s awesome. She’s smart, witty, beautiful, and we simply click. ”
Cassian took a seat cautiously. Your relationship with her: how long? ”
“Three weeks,” Vion boasted, like a tremendous win.
“Three weeks? I echoed, raising my voice. Vion, that’s barely time to choose a hobby, let alone a wife! ”
“I knew instantly,” he said. “You know when it’s real.”
I answered, “No, honey, you don’t,” attempting to be cool. “People shine early. It takes time to know someone.”
“Liora’s different. A truthful person. She gets me.”
Cassian, always cool, attempted another approach. “What’s she do? Where did you meet? ”
At the campus café. She studies business. Mom, she’s ambitious. She has big future goals.”
I whispered, “Vion, you’re only 19. Your years lie ahead. Why hurry? ”
He seemed defiant, as I knew. “No rush. The feeling is right. I assumed you’d be happy for me.”
“We want you happy,” Cassian remarked. But we urge you to choose wisely. A marriage is serious.”
“I’m serious,” Vion said. Liora suits me. She makes me feel special.”
We met Liora two days later. Tall, graceful, with keen eyes and a gorgeous smile, she was stunning. She charmed Cassian with questions about his career and complimented our home with precision.
“Your son’s incredible, Mrs. Arden,” she added warmly. I’ve never met anyone like him.
It felt weird. She seemed too polished, like she practiced it. Although she claimed to be 19, she appeared older and more experienced.
Liora, where did you grow up? I asked casually at supper.
“Oh, all over,” she said readily. My dad worked a lot and moved us. It taught me quick adaptation.”
Every response was that. Perfect but imprecise, avoiding deeper inquiries while appearing sensible.
Vion introduced Liora to his biological father, Torin, later that week.
“Dad thinks she’s awesome,” he brags. We had his complete support.”
I called Torin that night after Vion left.
“You approved this? I demanded.
Torin sighed. “What can I say, Maeva? Child smitten. He’s grown.”
Adult made a huge mistake! ”
“Maybe,” Torin said. “But sometimes people must learn their own lessons.”
Last time, I tried to chat to Vion. I told him to finish college first and get engaged later since he was too young. My stubborn youngster refused.
“I love her, Mom,” he added. I’m marrying her.
I eventually supported Vion’s decision. I smiled and nodded when he stated they had a date six weeks away.
Vion exclaimed, “Liora’s parents want to meet you,” one evening. “They’re here this weekend.”
Downtown bistro where we met. Joren and Sylva, Liora’s parents, were nice. Sylva looked like Liora, while Joren was all firm handshakes and big laughs.
“We were shocked too,” Joren added over appetizers. “But seeing them together clicks.”
“Liora’s always known what she wants,” Sylva said. “When certain, she’s certain.”
When wedding ideas came up, I expected venue and meal talk. Instead, Liora’s mom shocked me.
“We don’t do lavish weddings,” she remarked. “Our family values marriage over party.”
“Something small and heartfelt,” Joren agreed. “No need to start life together in debt.”
Vion nodded eagerly. “I told Mom that. Liora and I want simple.”
Something seemed strange, yet they were logical I couldn’t explain why. The wedding was scheduled for three weeks later in a modest downtown rented venue by nightfall.
I sat on our bed while Cassian got ready for bed that night.
Are we doing right? I asked, staring at the floor. Continuing with this hasty wedding? ”
Cassian halted. Maeva, what else can we do? He matured.”
“But something’s not right,” I said. “It goes too fast. Although Liora is attractive, she sometimes feels like a character.
Cassian sat next me as the bed sank. You overthink it. Vion smiles. He was happier than usual.”
But what 19-year-old knows what they want? The meaning of marriage ”
“We were young when we married,” Cassian said.
It was different. Already married and divorced. I had Vion. We dated for two years, not three weeks! ”
Cassian grabbed me. “Liora seems nice, Maeva. Shouldn’t we be happy like Vion? ”
“I’m trying,” I sighed. “I can’t shake this feeling.”
“Maybe it’s just a mom’s instinct,” he smiled weakly.
“Maybe,” I murmured, leaning forward. “Or maybe I’m not ready for my boy to marry.”
The weeks flew by with swift planning. We rented the little hall, ordered a basic cake, and sent invitations to a modest guest list before I knew it.
Normality prevailed on wedding morning. The hall looked beautiful with simple flowers. Chatting and laughing guests arrived. Vion, sharp in his suit, smiled nonstop.
A radiant Liora appeared in a sleek white dress. Perfect makeup, hair, and grin. But when she hugged me, she looked over my shoulder at the room.
I wasn’t sure why.
A cousin of Torin said, “Lovely setup,” as we sat down.
I nodded, ignoring my stomach knot. I saw her parents looking at Vion and Liora before the officiant. Not proud, happy looks. Stressful.
The officiant talked about love and dedication, but I just barely heard. Liora’s tight posture and weird mood were all I could think of.
Just as the officiant inquired whether anyone objected, two plain-clothed guys entered the hall. They looked like serious men in jeans and shirts, not visitors.
A badged person asked, “Miss Liora, can we speak with you a moment? ”
She lost her smile and became terrified. She hurried out the back door after muttering about getting her ID from the coat check. Her parents left.
Confusion became chaos. The officiant awkwardly stepped away as Vion stood frozen and guests whispered. Cassian grabbed Vion’s shoulder.
What’s going on? ” Vion whispered.
Torin walked approaching the men with a frown. Something was off.
“Torin? I called. “You did what? ”
He stared at me and Vion. “Son, I’m sorry this happened.”
The two “officers” lacked police professionalism. Even one smiled.
“Are they not proper police? Realizing the reality, I inquired.
Shameful Torin. “No. I hired. I had to stop before it was too late.”
Dad, what are you saying? Vion demanded, his voice breaking.
The guests crowded for answers. Torin signaled tranquility.
“Three weeks ago, I was at a downtown bar with a client,” Torin added. Joe, the bartender, recognized Liora from your phone photo. I was pulled aside. Said she was regular.”
“So what? ” Vion snapped.
Joe explained her pattern. She seduces rich young men, rushes them to the altar, and steals their money. Sometimes she empties shared accounts, sometimes for ‘family crises’.
Weak legs. And her parents? ”
“Not her parents,” Torin grumbled. Joe also knew them. Just her crew.”
Vion paled. You lied.”
“There’s more,” Torin offered gently. “Liora’s pregnant.”
Vion’s eyes expanded. “She never told me.”
“Because it’s not yours,” Torin said. Two days before she met you, Joe overheard her on the phone. She boasted about marrying a ‘rich fool’ and claimed the baby was his to have an easy life.
“You’re lying,” Vion repeated, but his voice was weak.
I stepped forward, furious. You blessed despite knowing this? Let it get this far? ”
“I needed proof,” Torin defensively said. “I needed Vion to see it himself.”
By humiliating him at his wedding? ” I snapped.
“Better humiliated than broke and raising another man’s kid under a lie,” Torin replied.
Cassian intervened. What counts now is Vion.”
We looked at my son, who was still soaking it all in. The wedding band gently slipped off his finger.
“Well,” he said, “I guess that’s that.”
It shattered my heart for him. I’m sorry, honey.”
“Don’t be,” he murmured, calming. Dad’s right. Better now than later.”
The guests left quietly, giving condolences. Someone started packing gifts. Nothing touched the cake.
Vion glanced around the half-empty hall and laughed bitterly. “Some wedding day? ”
He trembled as I hugged him. “This isn’t your fault,” I said.
“I should’ve heard you.”
You adored her. Nothing wrong with that.”
Vion required time to recover from Liora’s betrayal. It took weeks for him to grin again. He checked his phone awaiting her message for months.
At least he kept his pride and future. He might have trusted his mom’s intuition more.
