12 Years Later: The Son-in-law's Vengeance

A RUINED WEDDING

“What? What did you say? You saw Jake? I didn’t hear that he was released from prison. What if he comes here?” Khloe asked as she looked around the room wondering what to do.

It felt like her entire world was finally crashing down. Today was her wedding day and she wasn’t planning on throwing away her hard work because of something that happened in the past.

“ Why are you already behaving as if you are going to die any time soon? He won’t come here. You and I know that he will be too embarrassed to do so. You should just relax and go ahead with your marriage. Your father will kill you if anything bad happens today.” Anna said smiling.

“ You are right. My dad will murder me. Where is Juliet? Is she okay?” Khloe asked as she looked around searching for her daughter.

“ She is probably playing around with our children. Let’s get you ready quick.” Nicole said as she signaled Anna to get up.

The wedding was going just as she had planned. Looking through the window, she saw Theodore standing at the altar talking with some of the guests. He looked very happy and proud to be marrying her. But she didn’t love him. Her father was entering a business deal with his father who was a very influential reporter. His family owned almost all the media platforms in the country and that was exactly what her father needed for his campaign.

“ Are you ready?” Anna asked as she looked at Khloe who nodded her head as if she was programmed to say so.

Coming out of the room, Khloe walked delicately as she walked down the aisle holding her father's hand. He was by her side smiling as if he was the proudest father in the world. In reality, he was the worst one.

“Father-in-law.” Khloe heard Theodore say as he shook hands with her father.

“ Take good care of my daughter, Theo. She is my little princess.” Khloe’s father said.

“ Of course. She will not lack anything. You can rest assured.” Theodore said smiling as he looked at Khloe.

Handing over Khloe’s hand to Theodore, Khloe’s father turned to leave after starting at Khloe. It was his way of warning her not to do anything stupid. This marriage was very important. Holding Theodore’s hand, Khloe turned to face the priest as the rites started.

“ Do you Theodore Hill take Khloe Fisher to be your lawfully wedded wife? To love and cherish. Till death do you part?” The priest asked.

“ Yes. I love her with all my heart so yes, I do.” Theodore said.

“Do you Khloe Fisher take Theodore Hill as your loving wedded husband? To love and cherish, till death do you part?” Khloe heard the priest ask.

“ I-”

The sudden opening of the door caught everyone’s attention. The guests looked back immediately as the door opened. Walking inside, Jake kept his walk short and elegant as he entered. He was dressed differently this time. His expensive black suit and tie caught the eyes of all the young women and they found him extremely handsome.

“ I’m afraid that she can’t say I do. A woman can’t have two husbands at the same, can she?” Jake asked as he walked up to Khloe who seemed to be in shock as she stood.

“ He came.” Anna said as she covered her mouth.

Khloe’s father had also recognized Jake. Although he was dressed differently, his face was unforgettable.

“ Is that-? Father, what do we do?” Kenneth asked as he looked at Khloe’s father who seemed very calm despite the commotion happening.

“ What are you talking about? What second husband?" Theodore's father asked as he looked at Khloe and her father hoping to hear some answers.

“He's lying. I don't know him. I've never seen him before so how can I be married to him? The only person I have dated is Theodore." Khloe said immediately betraying Jake.

Jake stood shocked as he watched Khloe abandon him in front of everyone. The memory of her begging him on the rooftop minutes before his arrest came to his mind once again. Had she ever loved him? Were her tears and promises all fake and a lie?

“Take him out of here. He is trying to sabotage the wedding. Security!” Khloe's father shouted as he looked around.

“ Is that so? I have evidence to prove that I am indeed the son in law of the Fisher family. This paper is from 12 years ago. It's our marriage certificate. We had gotten married at a very young age. I had been 17 and she had been 15. We did it a country that allowed it so it's legal. Have your lawyers check it.” Jake said as he threw it on the table where the groom and the bride were meant to seat after.

Rushing to take the documents, Theodore's father looked at it as he adjusted his glasses. After he had looked at it, he passed it down to his lawyers who were behind him to look at.

“ What are you doing? Stop this madness and leave." Kenneth said as he whispered to Jake.

Just then, Khloe's father heard his phone ring making him reach for his phone inside his pockets. Leaving the place, he went to see what was going on. It was a voice recording from an unknown number. Looking back, he gazed at Jake but saw no reaction from him. Playing the voice recording, Khloe's father gazed at the wall in front of him with his eyes widened. It was his own voice. The recording was from when he had come to meet Jake back in prison. He had come to see Jake to make sure that Jake kept his mouth shut about what happened. How had he managed to record it?

[Do you think that I cannot send it out? Your son is running for mayor, right? This would end him immediately.]

Reading the text he had received, Khloe's father looked at Jake.

“ It's true. The document was not forged." Khloe heard the Hill family lawyer say making her stagger back.

One moment of weakness had come back to bite her 12 years later. She had married Jake to spite her father back then. He had been trying to set her up with the sons of rich families. When Jake had gone to jail, she had not dared to tell her father that they had gotten married. He would have killed her. Now, Jake was using it against her.

“ Listen. It happened when I was young. I didn't know what I was doing. We can get a divorce. He is an ex-convict. I don't love him.” Khloe said as she tried to beg Theodore's father.

“ Let's go. We are leaving. What an embarrassment." Theodore's father said before leaving with his people leaving Theodore behind.

“ Theo, please. Please, listen to me. I will divorce him. I swear that I will. I don't love him. How can I love him?” Khloe said begging Theodore who was the only one around.

Having enough of her nonsense, Jake pulled her hand away before taking her away. This caused more murmuring from the crowd present but he didn't care at all. Taking her back into her room, Jake closed the door. He didn't expect the next thing she did.

(Slap)

“ What's wrong with you? Why did you have to come today of all days, Jake?” Khloe asked.

“ Why did I come? Do I look like a fool to you? 12 years. You didn't come and visit me all the time I was in prison. You were dating instead. Did you even love me? Have you forgotten the reason why I even went to jail in the first place, Khloe?!” Jake asked angrily.

“ I loved you. I did. No matter how much grievance you have, couldn't you just sit still for your daughter? She would grown up in the best family and you ruined everything." Khloe said.

“Love? If you truly loved me, why did you do it? 12 years is a long time to repent for your sin. But what? You wanted to get married to someone else? With my daughter? Does she know who you are? Does she know that her father took the fall for her mother because she killed someone? Forget it. You can't get married to anyone because we are still married.” Jake said as his eyes burned with anger.