On Friday night, Jason asked, “Do we really have to do this dinner tomorrow? I’m kinda beat.”
“Oh come on, babe,” Sarah said lightly. “I already invited everyone. It’s just a casual thing to use up the rest of the bar tab and thank everyone. It’ll be fun.”
He shrugged. “Fine. Whatever makes you happy.”
On Saturday evening, guests started arriving at The Ivy Trellis around 7:00 PM. Sarah wore her white rehearsal dinner dress. Jason looked sharp in his suit, playing the part of the doting husband. Jessica arrived in a tight black dress, heels clicking, waving at everyone.
“Sarah! Love this idea!” she chirped, kissing Sarah’s cheek.
“Glad you came, Jess,” Sarah smiled. Judas kiss, she thought.
By 7:30, everyone was seated. Forty people, wine flowing, laughter in the air. Jason was in the center of it all, telling jokes.
Sarah caught Robert’s eye by the bar. He nodded. The projector was set up, a large white screen dominating one wall.
Sarah walked to the front of the room. She tapped a spoon against her glass. The room quieted down.
“Friends, family,” Sarah began, her voice projecting clearly. “Thank you for coming back tonight. I know it’s unusual, but we wanted to extend the celebration. And… I have something special to show you. A video that captures the true essence of our relationships.”
Jason smiled at her. Jessica took a sip of wine.
“Robert, if you please.”
The lights dimmed. The projector whirred to life.
The grainy black and white image of the storage room appeared. Timestamp: 9:43 PM.
The door opened. Jessica walked in. Then Jason.
A few guests chuckled, thinking it was a blooper reel. Then the kissing started.
The chuckles died instantly. A gasp rippled through the room. Jason’s mother dropped her fork; it clattered loudly against her plate.
Jason shot up from his chair. “Sarah! What is this? Turn it off!”
But Sarah stood like a statue. And then the audio kicked in.
“…God, Jason, I almost screamed… watching you dance with her…”
Jessica’s voice echoed through the silent hall.
“Chill out, babe… Everything is going according to plan.”
Jason’s voice. Undeniable.
Jason tried to rush the projector, but Sarah’s dad and a burly cousin stepped in his path.
“Sit down,” Dad growled. “You’re going to watch the whole thing.”..
