Prue pulled up to the wedding venue, a charming garden with blooming flowers and white chairs neatly arranged for the ceremony. She stepped out of her car, smoothing her dress.

This wasn’t how she imagined her mother’s wedding. She had spent weeks arguing with her mother about Colin, a man 10 years younger, but her mother had brushed off her concerns, accusing Prue of being jealous because she was still single.

“Mom, he’s too young for you. How can you be sure this will work?”

“Prue, I’m tired of you not being happy for me. Just because you’re picky and single doesn’t mean I have to be miserable,” her mother had snapped back.

The invitation had arrived shortly after that heated conversation, much to Prue’s surprise. Despite her misgivings, she felt an obligation to attend. It was her mother, after all.

Prue walked into the garden, greeted by the cheerful sounds of laughter and conversation. She plastered a smile, though inside she was anything but happy.

“Prue, you made it!”

Her mother, Sue, called out, rushing over in her elegant wedding dress.

She looked genuinely happy, which made Prue feel a pang of guilt for her earlier opposition.

“Hi, Mom,” Prue replied, hugging her. “You look beautiful.”

“Thank you, dear. I’m glad you’re here,” Sue said, pulling back to look at her daughter. “I know you have reservations, but today is a happy day. Try to enjoy it.”

Prue nodded, forcing another smile.

“I’ll try, Mom. I promise.”

As the ceremony began, Prue was seated among friends and family, many of whom were also curious about Colin. She couldn’t help but scan the crowd, trying to get a read on the man her mother was about to marry. Colin looked confident and quite at ease.

Prue’s mind wandered back to the countless arguments she had with her mother. Was she just being picky?

The ceremony proceeded smoothly, with Colin and Sue exchanging vows. Prue watched as her mother’s eyes sparkled with happiness, and for a moment, she wondered if she had been too harsh. But the nagging feeling that something wasn’t right lingered.

***

At the reception, Prue took a seat and sighed, trying to shake off her unease. She reached for her plate and felt something underneath it.

She lifted a small piece of paper. Unfolding it, she read the words, “Help me.”

Who could have written this? And why?

She looked around the room, trying to stay calm.

The guests were chatting, laughing, and enjoying the celebration, but now Prue saw everything through a different lens. Someone here was in trouble.

Prue decided to move around and observe. She stood up, smoothing her dress, and approached the first table where her sister Claire and her husband Tom were seated.

“Hey, Claire. Mind if I join you for a bit?” Prue asked, trying to sound casual.

“Of course not, Prue. Have a seat,” Claire replied with a forced smile. Tom barely acknowledged her, focusing instead on his phone.

“So, how are things going?” Prue asked, looking directly at Claire.

Before Claire could respond, Tom interjected.

“Things are fine. Claire is just being her usual clumsy self. Spilled wine all over her dress earlier. Typical.”

Prue felt a surge of anger. Tom’s tone was condescending, and Claire looked embarrassed. Prue forced herself to stay calm, not wanting to cause a scene.

Could Claire have written the note?

She felt a pang of sympathy for her sister but decided to move on.

“Excuse me, I need to check on something,” Prue said, standing up, while everyone raised their glasses after another toast.

She made her way to another table where her aunt Linda sat with her young son, Timmy.

“Hi, Aunt Linda, hello, buddy! How are you?” Prue asked cheerfully.

I noticed Timmy looking upset. He had just knocked over his drink, and Linda was scolding him harshly.

“Hi, dear! Oh, Timmy!” She glanced at me and continued her speech to Timmy.

“Can’t you be careful for once? You’re always making a mess!” Linda snapped.

Prue felt sorry for Timmy.

Could he have written the note?

But as she looked at the paper again, she realized the handwriting didn’t seem like a child’s.

“Don’t worry, Timmy. Accidents happen,” Prue said gently, giving him a reassuring smile.

She excused herself once more, feeling more determined than ever to find the person who needed help. As she walked past the next table, she noticed her cousin Alice sitting with her boyfriend and a close family friend.

“Hi, Alice!” Prue called out in passing. Her eyes scanned the group as she walked by, trying to catch any clues.

“Hey, Prue,” Alice replied, but there was noticeable tension in her voice.

As Prue lingered nearby, pretending to look at the decorations, she overheard Alice’s boyfriend making sharp comments about her relationship with the family friend. The tension was palpable.

Could Alice have written the note? Prue wondered, feeling the weight of her growing concern.

The only people who seemed genuinely happy were the newlyweds – her mother and Colin. However, Prue still didn’t trust Colin.

Suddenly, a thought struck her. She began rummaging through her bag for the wedding invitation.

Pulling it out, she compared the handwriting on the note to the invitation. It matched, but it wasn’t her mother’s handwriting. Maybe it was Colin’s.

Prue’s heart skipped a beat.

Why would Colin write such a note? What was he up to?

She glanced was peeping at him as he laughed with guests, seemingly without a care in the world. Prue knew she had to dig deeper. Something was wrong, and she was determined to find out what it was.

***

Prue couldn’t shake off the feeling that something was wrong. Her eyes followed Colin as he moved around the guests and laughed with friends.

When she saw him slip out towards the garden, she decided to follow him, keeping a safe distance.

As she reached the garden’s edge, Prue saw Colin meet with her sister Claire. They embraced, and Prue’s heart sank.

What was going on?

She watched as Colin handed Claire an envelope, which she quickly recognized as one of the wedding gifts. The confusion and anger began to build inside her.

“You need to leave right now,” Colin told Claire urgently. “I’ll join you later and help you.”

Claire looked terrified. “But how did you get my note?” she whispered, her voice trembling.

“I didn’t get any note,” Colin replied softly. “I just noticed you seemed upset and decided to follow you.”

Prue’s mind raced.

Lovers? Was Colin having an affair with her sister?

Her heart pounded as she turned and rushed back to the banket hall. She had to tell her mother.

“Mom!” Prue called out, breathless and panicked.

She found her mother chatting with some guests.

“I need to talk to you. Now.”

What is it, Prue?”

“Colin and Claire… I saw them in the garden. They’re having an affair! He gave her an envelope of money and told her to leave,” Prue blurted out, her voice shaking.

Sue’s eyes widened in shock and disbelief.

“Prue, that’s ridiculous. You’re letting your jealousy get the best of you.”

“No, Mom, you have to believe me!” Prue insisted, her voice rising. “I saw it with my own eyes!”

The guests started to turn their heads, whispers spreading through the crowd. Prue’s frustration and anger reached a boiling point.

“He’s betraying you, Mom! I saw him with Claire, giving her money! They’re planning something behind your back!”

Prue’s voice echoed through the hall, and everyone stopped to listen. Guests exchanged glances, the festive atmosphere now charged with tension.

Sue’s face turned pale as she tried to calm her daughter.

“Prue, please, lower your voice. This is a misunderstanding,” she pleaded, her eyes filled with worry and confusion.

“No, Mom, you have to believe me!” Prue insisted, tears streaming down her face.

“They were in the garden, hugging. He gave her an envelope full of money and told her to leave!”

“Prue, enough!” Sue said firmly, trying to maintain her composure. “You’re causing a scene.”

“But, Mom, I saw it with my own eyes!” Prue cried.

At that moment, Colin walked back in, immediately sensing the tension.

“What’s going on here?” he asked, his eyes darting between Prue and her mother.

“Prue says you’re having an affair with Claire,” Sue said, her voice trembling.

Colin looked stunned. “What? No, that’s not true!”

A huge argument erupted. Prue continued to accuse Colin, while Sue tried to calm her down, insisting it was all a misunderstanding. Guests watched in shock, unsure of what to do.

“Let me explain!” Colin shouted over the noise.

“I was helping Claire because she’s in trouble. It’s not what you think, Prue!”

But Prue was too upset to listen. The scene she had witnessed replayed in her mind, and she couldn’t shake the image of Colin and Claire together. The truth seemed further away than ever.

***

After everyone calmed down, Colin began his story.

“I wasn’t having an affair with Claire. I was trying to protect her from Tom. He’s been abusive, and she’s been too scared to ask for help. I noticed the signs and decided to help her escape.”

He paused, looking around the guests.

I gave her some of the wedding money so she could hide in the motel until things were resolved. I didn’t tell Sue because I didn’t want to ruin her wedding day and our honeymoon. I thought it was the best way to keep everyone safe.”

Prue, feeling guilty for a spoiled party, looked at her mother.

“Mom, I’m so sorry. I thought I was protecting you, but I was wrong. Colin turned out to be wonderful, and I made hasty conclusions again. Please forgive me, both of you.”

Sue’s eyes softened, and she took Prue’s hand. “It’s okay, Prue. You were just trying to look out for me. But we need to trust each other and communicate better.”

Prue’s sister Claire, who had been quietly standing by, stepped forward.

“I wrote the note for Mom, asking for help. It must have ended up under your plate by accident, Prue. I helped Colin sign the invitations, which is why the handwriting looked familiar.”

Prue nodded, understanding dawning on her. “I see now. I’m so sorry for jumping to conclusions.”

The tension in the room eased as the family began to understand each other’s intentions.

Colin looked at Claire and said, “We need to get you away from Tom, for good.”

Just then, Tom, who had been watching from a distance, stormed forward.

“What’s going on here? Claire, you’re not going anywhere!”

Sue, standing tall, faced Tom.

“Tom, you’re not welcome here. You need to leave now. And let me be clear, we will make sure that in the divorce process, everything goes to Claire. You won’t be able to hurt her anymore.”

Tom looked around, realizing he was outnumbered. “You can’t do this!” he shouted, but the resolve in the room was clear.

Colin stepped forward. “Yes, we can. Claire deserves to be safe, and we’re going to make sure of it.”

With that, Tom was escorted out of the wedding. Prue felt a sense of unity she hadn’t felt in a long time.

Sue hugged Claire tightly. “We won’t let anyone hurt you again. We’re here for you.”

Claire, tears in her eyes, nodded. “Thank you. I’m so grateful for all of you.”

Prue smiled, feeling a weight lift off her shoulders.

“We’ve learned a lot today. Instead of judging each other, we need to communicate better and support one another.”

Colin nodded in agreement. “Absolutely. We’re stronger together.”

As the evening continued, the family bonded over their shared experiences and newfound understanding. They made a pact to always stand by each other, to communicate openly, and to support one another through thick and thin.

In the end, the wedding turned out to be a new beginning for all of them—a fresh start built on trust, love, and the promise to always protect one another.