The Wedding Gift - Chapter 11 - Harrison

Paulina has made me look like a fool. If it wasn’t for her, I wouldn’t have made a scene in front of family and friends. Marriage is built on trust, and ours seems to be built on secrets from the very first day. So much for a clean slate.

Paulina thinks I am the problem. During my bachelor’s, we went to the casino, but I didn’t buy as many chips as I wanted to due to the fact that my wife forced me to leave most of my money at home. Thankfully, two of my very best friends agreed to lend me ten thousand euros, which I managed to turn into thirty thousand in one night. I was so exicted that I hurried to the local jewelry shop the next day to buy Paulina a nice necklace with some of that money to show her that I cared about her and that I really could provide for us. And also to prove a point. I was going to give it to her after the wedding.

When Conor left the room for breakfast, I took the lottery ticket from the safe using the numbers Hannah had given me. I can finally quit this life-sucking job and start to live my life the way I want.

Paulina’s father also thinks I am the problem. He brags about how smart he is and how he always knew what he wanted—and that I am too indecisive. Some people are just too lazy to get what they want, he said. I didn’t give a single fuck about his money.

I bought a plane ticket, just like Hannah did. Dressed in my stinky wedding suit, with only a phone and a wallet in my pocket, I decided to travel around Europe for a week or two to gather my thoughts. Or maybe longer. Who knows.  I’m a millionaire now, so why the hell not? I’m going to give Paulina some space to rethink her decisions as well. I hope she realizes that I’m not to be treated like a child.

I need some alone time. I am tired of all these people. I wanted out.

When I saw Paulina and Conor kissing the night we went to a club a few weeks ago, I didn’t want to say anything. I didn’t want Paulina or Hannah to know what I saw. With a wedding around the corner, I convinced myself that it was just a one-time thing. Nothing serious. If only your father knew that you’re not the perfect daughter he so wholeheartedly believes you to be. He’d be devastated.

When it comes to the one million euros we won, I am not gonna share with anyone. The coupon was bought before the wedding, so technically, Paulina, even though legally now my wife, has no rights to the money. Yeah, I know some legal bullshit. It’s family law 101. I have no intention to give her anything. At least for now. Let her feel what it’s like to be on the outside for once.