All Chapters of Five Minutes Before “I Do”: Chapter 1 - Chapter 10

The smug look on Sandra's face froze, then cracked."Asher, what is wrong with you? Ten years together, and you're walking away? Do you think this is funny?"Dad had just finished dialysis a few days ago. His face still looked gray as he tugged at my sleeve and said quietly, "Everyone's waiting out there. Whatever it is, we can talk after the ceremony. I've got the money…"His hand shook as he pulled a bank card from his pocket.I stopped him, tore off the boutonniere, and started toward the exit.Sandra's mom, Margaret Crowe, panicked. She rushed over, shoved Dad aside, and raised her voice."You think you can back out now? There are over 100 tables out there! You really think you can just call this off in front of everyone?"Her father Logan Crowe's face turned dark. He ground his cigarette into the wall."You think our daughter's someone you can mess with? We raised her all these years. It's just 300 grand. Who do you think you're bluffing?"A few relatives near the front p

Logan barked, "You got my daughter pregnant, and now you're trying to walk away? If you don't come up with the money today, I'm calling the police and reporting you for sexual assault!"He already had his phone out, ready to dial.My phone buzzed at the same time. The report I had asked for had come in.I opened it and read through everything. My eyes fell on Sandra, bent over and breathing hard like she was in pain. I let out a short, quiet laugh. "Five hundred thousand, right? Fine. Then answer me this. Whose kid is it?"Sandra flicked a glance at Caleb. She cleared her throat and forced herself to stay steady."Of course, it's yours. You're not going to deny your own kid, are you? If you don't believe me, we can get a paternity test."I held her gaze, my voice flat. "Good. Let's go. We'll find out exactly whose it is."Margaret snapped, jumping to her feet and pointing at me."What are you trying to say? My daughter's been with you for ten years! Do you think you can just

The security footage from the ballroom told the whole story. Sandra slipped and went down on her own.I never touched her.Sandra's face drained of color as she shook her head. "That's impossible! I asked the hotel. There aren't any cameras back there!""I set one up myself," I told her. "I wanted to film the whole day. Didn't think it'd end up saving me."I slid the phone back into my pocket and looked at her.The crowd had seen enough. Voices started to rise."So he didn't even touch her. She fell and tried to blame him.""Unbelievable. She brought that act all the way to the hospital.""She was screaming abuse a minute ago. That's low."Margaret pulled Sandra in and started wailing. "This is fake! You edited that video! You're trying to get out of it!"I kept my hand in my pocket and watched Sandra unravel. "Fine. We'll let the police take a look."The moment I mentioned the police, Logan's tone shifted. "What kind of man are you? My daughter just lost her baby, and you d

"It won't work," Emma said. "That drug is tightly controlled. Even if another hospital has it, they won't just hand it over. And the fastest they could transfer it would be tomorrow afternoon. That's too late for a morning surgery."My head went blank. I nearly lost my balance.Last time, Dad died because we didn't have the money. This time, we had the money, and now the medication was gone.The anger kept rising.Sandra… I was done letting her hide.I pulled out my phone and called her.She picked up right away, laughing, as if she had been waiting."Looking for the meds? Can't find them, can you?"My jaw tightened. "Where is it? If anything happens to my dad, you won't get away with it!""Oh, listen to you. Want the meds? Fine."She paused, savoring it."Come to the back entrance. Apologize to me and pay me one million for emotional damages. Do that, and you'll get it back. Otherwise, start planning a funeral."She hung up after that.I turned toward the door."Don't."

Emma said, "Noah, this is Asher. His dad's been taken. We need your help."Noah gave a quick nod."Alright. Get in."The SUVs pulled out, heading straight for the abandoned chemical plant on the edge of the city.On the way, Noah handed me a walkie-talkie."When we get there, you go in first. Keep them talking. Stall. We'll come in from the back. Wait for my signal. When I call it, move aside."I nodded. My palms were already damp.Forty minutes later, we rolled up outside the plant.I pushed the door open and stepped inside. The warehouse was dim. Dad was tied to a chair in the middle of the floor.When he saw me, he shook his head hard.Logan and Margaret stood on either side, a knife pressed against his throat."Where's the money?" Logan stepped forward, hand outstretched."I didn't bring cash. I can transfer it."I pulled out my phone, moving slowly, waiting for Noah's signal."Transfer? I said cash. Did you call the cops?"Margaret rushed over, snatched my phone, a