My Groom Pushed Me Into the Pool During Our Wedding Reception and Started Laughing – He Didn’t Expect What I Did Next

“This is the bride-to-be,” I answered with a grin.

“You… should be… careful.” The man belched. “He’s planning… something.”

I frowned. “Who is this?”

“Don’t you think I will tell you that. Just…” he let out a pained groan, “…be careful. Good.”

And then he hung up.

“Who was that?” My maid of honor, Cally, asked behind me.

I turned Cally and shrugged. “Someone who’s had a bit too much to drink.”

For a moment, I wondered if it was some kind of cruel prank. Theo had always been popular, and popularity came with jealous people. Maybe someone just wanted to ruin the mood before the wedding.

I pushed the thought aside and went back to enjoying the evening with my bridesmaids. Within a minute, I had completely forgotten about the call.

I really shouldn’t have.

***

We were married under a stunning rose bower on a beautiful estate.

Afterward, we moved to the pool area for the reception. Two hundred guests filled the area around the pool, laughing and dancing while music drifted through the evening air.

It was perfect.

Theo was across the terrace, working the room the way he always did, shaking hands, landing jokes, making everyone feel like the most important person there.

I watched Theo from a distance for a moment and couldn’t believe how lucky I was to have found him.

I was still watching when he stepped toward the microphone stand near the pool.

“Hey, everyone,” he said, flashing that grin. “Can I have your attention for a second?”

The crowd quieted. Someone near the back called out, “Speech time already?”

Theo laughed. “Not exactly. I just need my beautiful bride over here for a moment.”

He held out a hand toward me.

I smiled and walked toward him.

I thought he’d planned something romantic.

The weird phone call I’d gotten warning me to be careful was the furthest thing from my mind, but it shouldn’t have been.

“What are you up to?” I asked quietly when I reached him.

His hands hit my shoulders, and I was falling, screaming until I hit the water.

The cold water swallowed me whole — screams, dress, heels, veil, everything.

I sank. For a second, I was completely disoriented. My white satin engulfed me, and I had no idea which way was up.

Then the heel on one of my shoes caught against the bottom of the pool. The shoe came off. I threw out my arms, fighting through the wet fabric, and braced myself against the bottom of the pool.

I pushed upward and broke the surface, gasping.

The first thing I saw was Theo standing near the edge of the pool, doubled over, laughing.

Then I heard the guests.

“Oh, my God.”

“Did he really just—”

“Come on!” Theo called out between laughs. “It’s just a joke!”

I heard the sharp strike of my father’s cane on the terrace before I saw him. He was moving toward the pool, his gaze fixed on Theo with an expression I hadn’t seen in a long time.

“Theo,” he said in a dangerous tone of voice.

I raised one hand. “Dad, wait.”

He turned to me, and I gave him a look I hoped he’d understand. He nodded.

I battled my way through the water to the edge of the pool. When I got there, a hand reached out to me. I looked up and saw Theo’s younger brother, Fred, crouched near the edge of the pool.

The look on his face spoke volumes. “I tried to warn you…”

“You’re the one who called me?”

Fred nodded. I took his hand and let him pull me out of the water.

Then I turned away from him to face Theo. Tears filled my eyes.

Theo’s smile faltered. “What?”