My Groom’s Mother Slapped Me at the Wedding, Not Realizing I Was the Bride

“Oh! So sorry to interrupt.” I exclaimed loudly, making sure my voice carried.

Tom jumped back like he’d been electrocuted, his face turning the color of the funeral roses. Cassandra, however, just glared at me with those cold Blackthorn eyes.

“Mind your own business, help!” she sneered.

“Of course, Miss Blackthornne. Though you might want to know your mother is looking for you—something about the plan.”

Her eyes lit up with malicious glee.

“Oh right! The proof about that gold digger’s theft. I planted it in her purse earlier. Mother’s going to expose her right at the altar. It’s going to be delicious.”

Tom looked between us, horror dawning on his face.

“Cassandra, what are you talking about? Delilah would never steal anything.”

“Oh, Tom,” Cassandra purred, trying to sidle back up to him.

“You’re so naive. That’s what I love about you.”

But Tom was already backing away.

“You’re insane, both of you. You and your mother. Marcus deserves better than this.”

He stormed off, and Cassandra turned her fury on me.

“You stupid little nobody! You ruined everything!”

That word, “stupid”—it would come back to haunt them all.

I returned to Victoria with news that the bride was getting ready and would be down soon. She was pacing now, her white dress swishing dramatically with each turn.

The church was filling with guests, and I could see Marcus at the altar looking handsome but nervous in his tuxedo.

“This is ridiculous!” Victoria exploded.

“What kind of classless girl shows up late to her own wedding?”

Her mother, a spritely 85-year-old named Eleanor, wheeled up in her chair.

“The same kind of girl who has to deal with your nonsense. Victoria, sit down before you give yourself a stroke.”

“Mother, please. Not now.”

“Oh, I think now is perfect timing.”

Eleanor looked at me and winked—actually winked.

“You look familiar, dear. Have we met?”

Before I could answer, Victoria grabbed my arm.

“You go find that bride right now, or I’ll make sure you never work in this state again!”

“Of course, Mrs. Blackthornne.”

I headed to the bridal suite where Jenny was waiting with the biggest grin I’d ever seen.

“Delilah, you’re not going to believe this. I found something in Victoria’s purse.”