Shaina stared at the text from an unknown number. She wasn’t sure if she could believe her eyes. She wasn’t sure she was comprehending the words.

“Greyson has been cheating on you. With me. I’m pregnant. I’m sorry.”

Her maid of honor, Gwen, walked into the bridal suite and saw Shaina’s pained look.

“What? What is it?” She set down their coffee and donuts and rushed to Shaina’s side.

Shaina simply held up her phone for Gwen to read.

“Is this some kind of prank? What the fuck?” Gwen stared in disbelief.

Shaina was silent, turning each word over in her head a dozen times, unable to form a response. Her heart was in her stomach.

“Shaina? The girls are going to be here soon. What do you want to do? Do you want me to hold them off so you can call Greyson?”

“I don’t think it’s a prank.” Shaina said finally.

Gwen stayed quiet, silently urging her to continue.

“Can you tell the girls to stay in the lobby for a few minutes?” Shaina asked.

“Take as long as you need. I’ll let them know and I’ll be right back.” Gwen jumped up and rushed down the hall to the lobby as the bridesmaids began to arrive.

Shaina considered calling Greyson but called her mom instead. She broke down and told her what happened. Her mom cried with her. Shaina said she needed to talk to Greyson but to stand by to begin cancelling the wedding. Her mom agreed and hung up.

She called the unknown number instead.

“Hello?” As soon as Shaina heard her voice, she knew who the woman was.

“Allison?” Shaina asked accusatorially. Allison was her cousin. Her own flesh and blood.

Allison hung up.

***

Shaina put on her wedding dress and marched out to the lobby. Gwen and the bridesmaids gasped.

“Um, hun, what’s going on?” Gwen looked at her quizzically.

“We’re having a party. A break up party.”

The bridesmaids all talked at once, clamoring for more information.

“Greyson got my cousin, Allison, pregnant.” Shaina said loudly. Other friends and family walked over from other areas of the venue when they overheard Shaina’s proclamation.

Word soon made its way to the groomsmen and they darted off to confront Greyson. Greyson walked past them without response and rushed to Shaina.

“Baby, what’s going on? You look so beautiful.” Greyson tried to hug her but she yanked away from him.

Shaina held up the text. Greyson’s eyes gave away his rapid calculations as he weighed how to explain this.

“Don’t bother explaining it. I already called her. We’re done. You can go now. I’m throwing a party and you’re not invited.”

“You can’t do this. We’re supposed to be married in 4 hours.”

“Then thank God one of you had enough of a conscience to save me some legal fees for a divorce.”

The groomsmen, including Shaina’s brother Andrew, escorted Greyson off the premises. The only people who followed him out were his best man and his parents.

The party that should have been a wedding went on without a hitch. Though tears were shed, Shaina was relieved she could share a few hours with friends and family, rather than wallowing alone with a pint of ice cream.

Tomorrow would be a new day. Tomorrow she could begin to heal. Tonight was a party. Tonight was just for her.