Three Slaps at the Wedding Chapter 2

The scene, calm for less than two minutes, erupted again because of my slap.

This time, I used even more force.

Blood trickled from the corner of Rachel's mouth. She exploded with rage, cursing at me. "Mia, are you sick? You're pushing it! Hitting me again and again!"

What made her even more furious was that her husband Ethan remained silent, offering no support.

"Ethan, are you even a man? Your wife gets beaten like this and you don't say a word!"

The guests below began speculating loudly.

"The maid of honor isn't having an affair with the groom, is she? I heard the three of them grew up together."

"Maybe the bride stole him away? That's why the maid of honor is hitting her on her wedding day?"

"The maid of honor actually does seem like a better match for the groom..."

"Enough!"

Rachel shouted down the guests, then turned back with tears streaming down her face, looking pitiful.

She questioned both me and Ethan. "Mia, are you in love with my husband?"

"Honey, are you still hung up on her?"

Ethan frowned slightly but didn't answer.

I told her calmly, "I have no interest in your husband. But I'm still going to hit you."

Rachel backed away in fear, pleading with me. "Mia, today is my wedding—the most important day of my life. Whatever you want to say, just say it. Can you please not hit me?"

I shook my head calmly. "No."

Someone couldn't stand it anymore.

Seeing Rachel cry so pitifully, the guests felt sympathy and began accusing me. "Is this maid of honor jealous of the bride? She's causing such a scene at someone's wedding! And she claims to be the bride's best friend of over twenty years—more like an enemy."

Several of Rachel's college friends couldn't take it anymore and came forward to stop me.

"Show some mercy. Even if Rachel did something to make you angry, you can't hit her today. Besides, assault is illegal."

"If you keep this up, we'll have to ask you to leave!"

My parents looked embarrassed. They pulled me aside and spoke earnestly. "Mia, stop this nonsense! We usually let you argue with Rachel, but today is your Uncle Robert and Aunt Claire's daughter's wedding day. Don't ruin it for them!"

My eyes fell on her wedding dress. The hand I'd lowered began to rise again.

"Mom, Dad, I'm sorry." I apologized solemnly, then quickly rushed over and grabbed Rachel's arm.

Rachel fled desperately behind her parents. "Mom, Dad, save me! Get Mia out of here!"

The Roberts unexpectedly stepped aside, allowing me to grab Rachel easily.

If my parents hadn't run over together and pulled me back, my hand would have landed on her face.

My father was furious enough that he nearly struck me himself, despite usually being reasonable.

"This is outrageous! Is this how I raised you?"

Mom complained beside him. "Mia, you can't just hit people whenever you want. It's so ill-mannered! If you dare hit Rachel today, I'll disown you!"

Rachel sat on the ground sobbing. Her heartbreaking cries still didn't shake my resolve.

The atmosphere was tense when Mr. Robert actually spoke up to calm my father. "Calm down. Mia wouldn't hit someone for no reason."

Mrs. Claire defended me unconditionally, scolding Rachel. "Stop sitting on the ground making a scene. Mia didn't mean it. She's upset—what's wrong with letting her hit you a few times?"

Rachel stamped her foot in frustration. "Dad! Mom! Who's actually your real child here?"

The other guests looked at us in confusion. Some almost thought I was the Roberts' biological daughter.

I apologized to my parents. "Mom, Dad, even if you disown me, I have to give her this third slap."

My parents stood there helplessly. They couldn't do anything about me.

Once I'd made up my mind, I wouldn't easily change it.

And they couldn't really disown me.

Rachel tried to fight back, but I was an athlete—she was no match for me.

I rolled up my sleeves, preparing to strike with full force.

She covered her stomach and shouted, "Stop hitting me! I'm pregnant!"