- 16 hours ago
The Wedding Reckoning
Category
🎥
Short filmTranscript
00:09At the party, my fiancée's best friend, Ashley Porter, switches out the milk I always drink
00:14for my hangover with lube. Something tastes wrong. By the time it hits me, I've already
00:20swallowed. My stomach twists, burning like I've gulped down battery acid.
00:24Oh my god, you actually drank it! Can't even tell milk from lube! Thaddeus Wilde, my fiancée,
00:31looks at me like I'm something disgusting he stepped in. You should apologize. God, Lavinia,
00:38it's just, just a joke. Don't be so uptight. You're gonna regret this. I grab the bottle
00:44and dump the rest over her head. Thaddeus's hand cracks across my face before I can blink.
00:53After I leave the party, I pull out my phone and make a call. Will you marry me? Three days
00:59from
00:59now? The moment I pour that bottle over Ashley's head, everyone in the room goes dead silent.
01:05Everyone knows Ashley is Thaddeus's precious best friend. Nobody messes with her, not even me.
01:12Thaddeus! What the hell is Lavinia's problem? It was just a joke! His hand hits my face before I
01:17can say a word. What's wrong with you, Lavinia? He turns away to help Ashley wipe the liquid out
01:24of her hair. Doesn't even glance at me again. My stomach churns violently. That slick chemical
01:30taste coats my mouth. I press my hand over my mouth. If you're gonna puke, go do it somewhere
01:36else. Don't gross everyone out. I grab a glass of water off the table and drink it down. It helps
01:41a
01:41little. Ashley keeps wiping at her face while she accuses me. Thaddeus! I was just trying to have
01:47fun with Lavinia and look what she did! She must hate me! Why else would she do this to me?
01:56It's all Lavinia's fault. That soft voice. I can't remember the last time he used it with me.
02:02After he finishes, Thaddeus turns to me. His voice is ice cold. Apologize to Ashley. Now!
02:09Thaddeus, do you even hear yourself right now? I'm the one who got tricked into drinking Labbe.
02:14I barely fought back and you lose it? I stare into his eyes for a split second. I catch guilt
02:20flicker
02:21across his face. Nobody has ever treated me like this before. She humiliated me in front of all
02:26those people. How am I supposed to face anyone after this? She turns to Thaddeus with tears in
02:34her eyes. Maybe we shouldn't be friends anymore. Your fiance clearly hates me. She dramatically turns
02:40to leave. Thaddeus panics and grabs her arm, shouting at me. Apologize! Now! The resolve in his
02:46eyes leaves me no choice. I fight back the nausea as I force the words out. I'm sorry.
02:51Only then does his expression soften. He goes back to comforting Ashley.
02:55It's okay. It's all her fault. I'll make it up to you tomorrow.
03:00I don't know what he means by that, but the smug look in Ashley's eyes tells me it won't be
03:05anything
03:05good. The music starts up again. Thaddeus and Ashley spin around in the center of the dance floor.
03:11They leave me sitting alone at the table, thinking about the marriage I am about to enter.
03:16Suddenly, a sharp pain shoots through my stomach. I've had stomach problems since I was a kid.
03:22The lube must have triggered it. The pain hits like knives twisting in my gut. I try to stand up
03:27and call for help, but my voice gets swallowed by the music. Nobody hears me. I reach my hand toward
03:34him, desperate for him to notice, and take me to the hospital. Thaddeus doesn't see me, but Ashley does.
03:40She uses the dance to spin in front of him, blocking his view. Nobody's coming to help. I force myself
03:46through the pain and dial 911, my hands shaking so badly I can barely hold my phone. As I stumble
03:52out the door, I catch sight of Thaddeus kissing Ashley on the lips. Something inside me goes numb.
03:58My chest aches worse than my stomach ever could.
04:08At the hospital, they pump my stomach. And the doctor discovers it is not just lube. Ashley
04:13mixed paint into the drink too. They have to pump my stomach three times to get everything
04:18out. My stomach's already a mess. And after all that, it is completely wrecked. Late that night,
04:25every breath I take burns. The pain gets so bad I finally break down and call Thaddeus,
04:32begging him to come stay with me. I try calling him three times, but no one picks up.
04:39Then I see Ashley's Instagram story. They moved the party to my house, my villa. The video shows
04:47my stuff scattered all over the floor. My figurines are in the trash. My first ever award, winning
04:53robot design from college. Someone ripped his head off, and the pieces are rolling around under the
04:58table. And there is Thaddeus, drinking with Ashley, making out with her while everyone cheers them on.
05:05I call him one more time. He finally picks up. His voice drips with irritation.
05:10Jesus, it's the middle of the night, Lavinia. What do you want?
05:14Thaddeus, I'm not doing well. They just pumped my stomach. I feel terrible right now.
05:20Can you please come to the hospital, just for a little bit?
05:23I hate how desperate I sound. I think he can hear how much I am hurting.
05:28Thaddeus, come here. I just peeled an apple for you.
05:33You've got doctors for that. I'm busy. Can you stop blowing up my phone?
05:37Just take some Tumsems or something, and don't call me again.
05:41My throat closes up. I can't get a single word out. Ashley grabs the phone from him. Her voice smug.
05:47Lavinia, wow, you sound terrible. Still dying over there? There is a satisfied laugh in her tone.
05:53Ashley, get the hell out of my house, and fix my figurines. Oh, your little robot thing?
06:00I had the cleaning lady sweep it up. It's probably at the bottom of the dumpster by now.
06:06Trap belongs with trash, you know? That was my life's work. How could you just-
06:11A sharp pain rips through my stomach. I curl into myself, cold sweat breaking out all over my body.
06:18Okay, Lavina, enough with the drama.
06:22Tonight's Thaddeus' bachelor party.
06:26And how good chainsite you. He says he's got a big surprise planned for me, so stop trying to ruin
06:31it.
06:32Thaddeus doesn't have time for you right now. He's busy setting up the champagne tower.
06:36And all that junk in your room, Thaddeus told us we could mess with it, so we did.
06:40We broke everything and tossed it. Must be nice being so loaded.
06:44All those collector's editions and limited runs, they're in a dumpster somewhere now. Good luck with that.
06:50I am furious and panicking, but my stomach twists so violently, I can't even fight back.
06:55At some point, the call drops. I take the medicine the nurse gives me and pass out.
06:59When I open my eyes again, morning light floods the room. My phone buzzes with a message from Ashley.
07:05It is a photo of Thaddeus. The gift Thaddeus mentioned? Turns out it was him.
07:11That is the bedroom I prepared for Thaddeus. Our bedroom. I picked out every piece of furniture,
07:17every decoration, every detail. And now they're doing this disgusting shit on my wedding bed.
07:22I remember back in college during the robotics competition, when I won. Thaddeus held my project
07:27in his arms and cried, actually cried, because he was so happy for me. I don't know when he turned
07:32into
07:32someone I don't recognize anymore. Maybe it started when Ashley showed up. Maybe it was even earlier than
07:37that. The bridal shop calls. Miss Gray, your custom suit and rings are ready for pickup.
07:44Just throw them out. I don't want them anymore.
07:47When I get home from the hospital the next day, I expect the place to still be a disaster. But
07:52when
07:52I push the door open, everything's spotless. Except all my figurines and art prints are gone.
07:58My room is completely stripped bare. Thaddeus stands in the kitchen making breakfast,
08:02like nothing happened. Hey, you're back. Sorry I didn't come see you yesterday.
08:07Something came up. How's your stomach feeling?
08:14Ashley's just immature. You know, she was playing around with you.
08:17I know the difference between a joke and pure malice from another woman.
08:20You actually drank it!
08:21She did it on purpose, Thaddeus. She made my stomach condition worse. You know I can only eat liquids now.
08:26Right? Thaddeus frowns. And I can see he is already losing patience.
08:32Enough! Ashley just likes to have a little fun. Why are you being so patty about it?
08:36I freeze. My stomach starts to throb with a dull ache.
08:39Fine. Let's say the lube thing was a joke. What about my stuff in my room?
08:44You remember, right? We built that robot model together for our first competition?
08:48And that painting on the wall? My mom gave it to me for my birthday before she died.
08:52Were those jokes too?
08:54Thaddeus slams his plate down on the table. The crash echoes his irritation.
08:58That's ancient history. You're hoarding a bunch of junk that takes up space. You should be
09:03thanking Ashley for clearing it out. And that awful painting? Why are you still keeping something from
09:09a dead person in the house? It's gross! The word gross stabs straight into my chest like a blade.
09:15The pain in my stomach surges up all at once. I grip the doorframe and bend over,
09:19cold sweat dripping down my temples. Thaddeus!
09:22I grit out through clenched teeth. My voice so hoarse I barely recognize it.
09:26That was my mom! He acts like he doesn't see me falling apart. His voice drips with disgust.
09:32So what if it was your mom? She's gone. What's the point of keeping all this junk around?
09:38Ashley was trying to help this household and you just keep bitching about it.
09:41That was my stuff! She had no right to touch it!
09:44I can't hold back anymore. The tears threaten to spill as I force the words out.
09:48You're being ridiculous!
09:49Thaddeus' face flushes red. He points at the door.
09:53Ashley was trying to help you clean your room and you can't even be grateful!
09:56All you do is stand here and complain about every single thing! You're obviously not thinking straight!
10:02As he is yelling, I hear the door lock click. The sound of it turning makes my blood run cold.
10:08Even the fingerprint reader now recognizes Ashley's print.
10:17Wow! Your stomach's already better? Guess I didn't use enough.
10:20Ashley! I lunge forward to grab her arm, but Thaddeus blocks me. He shoves me backward,
10:25and I stumble into the wall. The pain in my stomach crashes into the ache spreading across my back,
10:30and everything goes dark around the edges. Ashley was trying to help stop acting crazy!
10:35I look at him and laugh. I don't even mean to, but it comes out anyway. The tears follow right
10:39after,
10:40and I can't stop them. So this is what all those years mean to him. Our entire relationship is just
10:45something he can throw away whenever he feels like it. Forget about her. I made shrimp and grits.
10:50Your favorite. He pulls Ashley away and they sit down at my new dining table,
10:54the one I just bought for our home, and start eating breakfast together. He even scoops some into
11:00a plate for me. But his voice is still annoyed when he says, You should eat some too. It'll
11:04help your stomach feel better. He sets the plate down like I am just some guest he is being polite
11:08to. But he clearly forgot that I've been allergic to shellfish for years now. Back in college,
11:14the first time he ever cooked for me, he made shrimp and grits. I didn't want to hurt his feelings
11:18after he'd worked so hard, so I ate a small plate anyway. I went into anaphylactic shock right there in
11:23his dorm room, and almost didn't make it. He was so scared that day. After that, he memorized everything I
11:28couldn't eat, and even stopped eating shellfish himself, just to be safe. But now, because Ashley
11:33likes it, he's forgotten all of that. Forgotten us. I watch the food slowly cool on the table,
11:39and I feel my heart doing the same thing.
11:45The night before the wedding, Ashley says she wants to give a speech as Thadis' close friends
11:49during the reception, and she wants to pull some wedding pranks too. Thadis looks uncertain about it,
11:54but I don't hesitate. Sure, go ahead. Do whatever you want. I must sound different,
11:59because Thadis just stares at me. You're acting weird. You really don't mind? I thought you'd be
12:04upset. But don't worry. Ashley's just my friend. She'll keep things appropriate.
12:09Why would I mind? Wedding pranks are supposed to be fun, as long as you two enjoy yourselves.
12:15Ashley's whole face lights up. She was clearly expecting me to fight her on this. I knew you'd be
12:19cool about it. Don't worry. Tomorrow's going to be amazing. We'll make sure your wedding isn't
12:23boring or anything. Thadis and I go way back, so obviously we're going to make it really memorable.
12:29You won't get all weird about it, right? Guess I should thank you in advance, then.
12:34I look up at her and put on a sincere smile. Oh, and by the way, I've got a little
12:39surprise planned
12:40for you two at the wedding tomorrow. What kind of surprise? You'll find out.
12:44I keep my voice casual, but I can see the unease creeping across his face. Ashley digs through my
12:50closet and pulls out one of my reception dresses, then just holds it up against herself without any
12:55shame. Hey, Lavina. This dress would look great on me. How about I wear it tomorrow instead? She is
13:03already slipping the dress on, and then she pulls out some dirty old dress from god knows where and
13:07tosses it at me. Here. This cheap things you way better anyway. She even pins my bridal brooch to
13:17her chest. And for a second, she actually looks like she is the one getting married. If this were
13:22a few days ago, I would have lost it. But today, I just watch it all happen with nothing but
13:26cold in
13:27my chest. Sure, wear whatever you want. Thaddeus stares at me for a long moment, like he wants to say
13:33something. But he never does. It's getting late. I've got work to finish up, so you two can do
13:37whatever you want. As I turn and head into the study, what's up with her? She used to fight us
13:45on
13:45everything. Did we finally break her or something? She's being so obedient now, just doing whatever we
13:52say without arguing back. I think Lavilla's finally learning her place. I don't know. But she already
14:01agreed to everything. She can't back out now. Just try not to go too crazy with the pranks tomorrow,
14:06okay? Ashley just rolls her eyes and doesn't answer. Meanwhile, I lock the study door behind me and pull
14:12two folders out of my desk drawer. These are the gifts I am planning to give them at tomorrow's wedding.
14:18Outside, Ashley keeps trying on my dresses one by one, throwing the ones she doesn't like on the floor
14:22and stepping on them. Thaddeus is right there, helping her. Like she is the one getting married
14:27tomorrow instead of me. When she thinks I am not paying attention, she even takes my custom gold
14:32brooch and pins it to her own chest. Seeing her like that, cheap and desperate, I almost laugh out loud.
14:40It is pathetic, but I don't care anymore. Tomorrow, this all ends.
14:48The next morning, I get dressed early and head to the reception hall first. When Thaddeus wakes up,
14:54he calls me right away. Liv, the bridal shop says my wedding suit is missing. What's going on?
14:59I told them to throw it out. The wedding's off. I hang up before he can respond and signal the
15:04officiant to keep going with the ceremony. And now, let's welcome the groom.
15:11I stand at the entrance and push open the doors.
15:16He is wearing a brand new custom suit that fits him perfectly, and he moves with this quiet confidence
15:22that makes everyone stare. But it is not admiration I hear from the guests. It is shock,
15:27because the groom isn't Thaddeus. It is Alaric Foster, the son of my father's oldest friend.
15:34Long time no see, Liv. When was the last time we ran into each other? Six months ago? And now
15:39here
15:39we are at our wedding. This is absolutely insane. I loop my arm through his. What,
15:44you having second thoughts? Are you kidding? I couldn't ask for a better surprise.
15:48He takes my hand and leads me toward the altar, and he doesn't even glance at all the confused faces
15:53watching us. Thaddeus's parents, Charlie Weald and Judith Weald, are the first ones to snap out of it.
16:01They rush over. What is this? Where's my son? I look at them, at the way their faces have gone
16:08pale
16:09and tight with worry. Thaddeus? I, I don't know, probably on his way here. Levenia,
16:17what are you saying? What did Thaddeus do wrong? What did he do wrong? I let out a soft laugh
16:24and
16:24let my eyes drift over the guests below us. Then I look back at Judith. He's so close with his
16:30female
16:30friend, but he still wants to marry me? Does he think I'm blind? I let my voice carry across the
16:37room,
16:37and every head turns toward me. There are plenty of men out there. I don't need one who's already in
16:42love with someone else, and you two knew all about them, didn't you? I saw the photos Ashley posted
16:47of you cooking for her. You all look like a happy family. The room erupts. Guests start whispering
16:53to each other, and Judith's face goes pale, then bright red. But, but I still thought you were the
16:59better choice for him. That's why I told Thaddeus to marry you. I laugh, but there is no humor in
17:05it.
17:05If I hadn't overheard that conversation between Thaddeus and Judith before the wedding,
17:10I might have actually believed her. Mrs. Gray, I heard every word you said to Thaddeus before the
17:17wedding. You told him the Gray family would be a good connection, that marrying me would help support
17:22your household. If I didn't have value to you, you never would have agreed to this marriage.
17:28You have two other sons who can't get their lives together, and you wanted my family's money to bail
17:34them out! Judith doesn't say anything this time. She just stands there crying while everyone stares
17:40at her, trying to figure out what the hell is going on. I ignore all the shocked faces and turn
17:46to Alaric standing beside me. Sorry you have to see all this. Are you kidding? This is better than
17:52reality TV. It really expands my understanding of human behavior. Plus, I get to marry you out of it,
17:58so I'm calling this a win. Mrs. Gray!
18:04A wedding coordinator inches toward me. Mrs. Gray, what do we do about the rest of the ceremony?
18:09We're sticking to the original plan. The only change is that Alaric is the groom now.
18:15My legal husband. My family wants me to marry Alaric from the start, but I insisted on Thaddeus back then,
18:21and my father respected my decision even though he knew better. Only now do I realize just how right
18:27he was. Dad saw through Thaddeus from day one, but he let me make my own choice anyway.
18:34I glance back at Judith and her husband, who are still standing there on the stage looking lost.
18:40Mr. and Mrs. Gray, you're welcome to take a seat and watch the ceremony if you'd like,
18:44but you need to get off the stage. You're blocking our way. Charlie and Judith completely collapse on the
18:50floor. Mumbling, we're done. Over and over. Eventually, someone has to carry them to their seats.
19:02I am pulling out the diamond ring, and about to say, I do.
19:11When an uninvited guest bursts through the doors,
19:15Thaddeus shows up in a cheap, badly fitted suit and rushes toward the altar,
19:19completely out of breath.
19:21Lavinia! What the hell is this?!
19:23His hair is a mess from running here, and he doesn't even bother fixing it.
19:26This is supposed to be our wedding! What are you doing bringing some other guy here?!
19:32His voice is sharp and accusing, like I am the one who betrayed him.
19:36I squeeze Alaric's hand tighter and give him a reassuring look.
19:39He's my legal husband. Today is my wedding to Alaric, not you.
19:44You should go be with your best buddy, Ashley. Honestly, you two make a great couple.
19:50Thaddeus' face drains of all color and his mouth falls open. Maybe he didn't think I'd actually
19:55embarrass him like this in front of everyone. Or maybe he just assumed I'd never really leave him.
19:59But either way, he brought this on himself.
20:04Lavi! Lavinia! What are you saying? We've been together for five years!
20:08How can you just throw that away and choose someone else? At a wedding, no less!
20:13You and Ashley have been acting like a couple for months now, and you've hurt me over and over again
20:17because of her!
20:22Did you forget all of that? Did you forget all of that?
20:25Ashley's face turns bright red, and she tries to back away. But Thaddeus grabs her
20:29arm and holds on tight. That's not Lavinia. She's just my friend.
20:33And he won't even look me in the eye. Instead, he keeps glancing nervously at the guests,
20:37who are all starting to whisper to each other. The murmuring gets louder and louder,
20:41and Thaddeus' face goes from white to completely red.
20:44I've seen that woman before. She's always hanging around Thaddeus.
20:48Yeah, didn't Thaddeus buy someone a sports car last month? I think it was for her.
20:52Wow, I never would have guessed. This guy's a total player. Just friends, huh?
20:58I raise an eyebrow and pull out my phone, then connect it directly to the venue's sound system.
21:02Thaddeus and Ashley's conversation fills the entire hall, crystal clear.
21:07Does that idiot Lavinia actually believe you only love her? Once we get our hands on the Gray family's
21:12money, we're out of here. Relax, babe. After the wedding ends, she'll be my legal wife,
21:16and then her money becomes our money, right?
21:19The recording stops, and the entire hall goes dead silent. Thaddeus' face drains from red to white in
21:25seconds, and he staggers backward before collapsing onto the floor. His suit gets covered in dust,
21:30and he looks absolutely pathetic sitting there. I recorded that conversation last night. Turns out
21:35it is coming in handy already, when Thaddeus' mother realizes they've been exposed. She charges at him
21:40and slaps him hard across the face.
21:42How did I raise such a useless son? We almost had everything, and you let it slip away!
21:47Do you have any idea what the Gray family represents? Do you know how hard we work to
21:51make that connection? And you turned the wedding into this disaster! I should have never had you!
21:59Mom, you hit me? Lavinia's the one who betrayed me. She's the one who wanted to switch grooms.
22:06Betrayed you? You've got some nerve! You and that homewrecker's scheme to steal the
22:12Gray family's money? The recording just played for everyone to hear, and you still want to act
22:17innocent? Then she turns to me, and her whole tone shifts. Miss Gray, please be the bigger person here.
22:23Don't hold this against my stupid son. Thaddeus knows he made a mistake. Just give him one more
22:28chance! The wedding, the wedding can still happen! Mrs. Wilde, the Gray family isn't desperate enough
22:35to pick up someone else's leftovers. Pierce's son already slept at the bachelor party. I wouldn't
22:43normally care about something like that, but when someone shoves photos in my face, I can't just pretend
22:48I don't know. You... how do you know about that? You'll have to ask your good friend Ashley about
22:57that. Thaddeus whips around to look at Ashley. It wasn't me! She's lying! You're making this up!
23:03When did I ever tell you anything? Thaddeus, don't believe her! I swear I didn't say anything!
23:09Thaddeus just stares at her, and his face fills with disbelief. Ashley, you drugged my drink that night.
23:16That's the only reason anything happened between us. No, I didn't! You're lying!
23:25No! I was gonna let it slide since we were friends, but I didn't think you'd go around
23:30bragging about it to everyone. Looks like I need to call the cops after all. You need some time in
23:35jail
23:35to think about what you did. Thaddeus pulls out his phone to dial 911, and Ashley completely loses it.
23:43Thaddeus, just listen to me! I got carried away that night, okay? I didn't mean for it to happen!
23:52Got carried away?
23:57You drugged with me and then showed Lavinia the photos just to rub it in her face.
24:02And you call that getting carried away? The 911 operator picks up while he is still talking,
24:07and I just stand there watching this whole train wreck unfold. After Thaddeus finishes explaining
24:12everything to the dispatcher, Ashley's last hope dies right there. She collapses on the floor,
24:17all the strength draining out of her body. Thaddeus, please don't press charges! If you just write a
24:24victim statement saying you forgive me, we can settle this privately! Don't you remember? You
24:29asked me to test whether Lavinia really loved you, and I did everything you wanted. Just let me off the
24:36hook this once, please! You asked me to test whether Lavinia really loved you, and I did everything you
24:44wanted. Just let me off the hook this once, please! So that is what all of this was. Everything that
24:50happened before was just Thaddeus testing. Whether I loved him or not, but his little test tore me
24:57apart and left me with permanent stomach damage. Ashley keeps begging on her knees, but Thaddeus
25:04won't even look at her anymore. His eyes find mine instead, and they're full of regret, but I am
25:09already holding tight to Alaric's hand. I don't care what Thaddeus feels anymore. Charlie and Judith
25:15turned to me next, their voices practically begging. Liv, sweetie, please. Thaddeus knows he messed up.
25:22Just give him one more chance. I laugh coldly and look at both of them. I can see exactly what
25:28they're thinking. Let's be honest here. Are you really doing this for me, or are you doing this for
25:34yourselves? Your other two sons are disasters. One's drowning in gambling debts, and the other one
25:41can't stay out of trouble. You think I'm gonna let the Grey family keep bailing them out?
25:46You just want me to marry into your family so I can pay off their mess, don't you?
25:51No, no, we genuinely love you. This is all Thaddeus' fault.
25:58He's the one who doesn't know how to act right. She drags Thaddeus over and starts slapping him
26:02across the face. One hit after another. Mrs. Wilde, if you want to discipline your son,
26:07do it somewhere else. Don't make a scene at our wedding. Mind your own business!
26:10You stole Lavian from him, and now you think you can tell me what to do? Who the hell do
26:14you think
26:15you are? My expression hardens, and I pull Alaric behind me. My voice comes out ice cold. Mrs. Wilde,
26:21watch your mouth. Alaris is my husband. What makes you think you can just show up here and start
26:25shit. Judith flinches at my tone, but she keeps pushing. Husband? He's just a homewrecker who stole
26:33someone else's woman. If it weren't for him, my son wouldn't be in this mess, and you wouldn't be so
26:39dead stud against marrying my son. Oh really? Thaddeus was the one who schemed to get his hands on the
26:47Grey family fortune. Ashley drugged him and did god knows what. You guys did this to yourselves.
26:53None of this has anything to do with me. Besides, Lavinia should have married me from the start.
27:00We just gave Thaddeus a five year chance and he blew it. That hits Thaddeus like a knife to the
27:05chest.
27:06Alaric! Don't get too crocky! Lavina used to love me. She'll come back to me eventually.
27:13Besides, you're just taking over our wedding venue for yours. Aren't you embarrassed when people find out?
27:19A booming voice calls out from the doorway. Who said my son's getting married here?
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