Chapter 3 Everything else goes pretty smoothly , and we're finally ready for the ceremony . But right before we walk down the aisle , Mason's grandma suddenly pulls my mom aside . [ ] Something feels off . I try to shake it , telling myself I'm just overthinking Mason and I walk down the aisle together . The officiant gives his blessing , the MC wraps up his opening speech . According to our rehearsal , we should be exchanging vows next . But suddenly the MC goes off script : " Ladies and gentlemen , we have a special surprise tradition today ! " ] Nobody told me about any damn surprise . I glance at Mason and tug his sleeve , but he won't look at me . He looks guilty as hell This is a beloved tradition from the groom's family , " the MC announces . " The bride needs to prove she's worthy of joining the family through a special ceremony of ... humility ! " ] What the hell is he talking about ? Before I can even ask , several groomsmen suddenly grab me . [ ] " What are you doing ? Get your hands off me ! " My bridesmaids rush to help , but these guys are massive and my girls can't break through The whole place erupts into chaos . " Mason ! What the fuck is this ? " I yell . ] Mason looks like he wants to crawl into a hole . " Babe , it's just this old family tradition . If you don't do it , my family won't accept you as ... you know ... officially part of the family . " " Just go with it , okay ? I'll make it up to you later , I swear ! " Someone kicks the back of my knees and I go down hard . Ethan's pressing my head down while I'm on all fours . " Mr. and Mrs. Carter , come on over ! " he shouts to Mason's parents That's when it hits me - their sick " tradition " is making me crawl on my hands and knees while his entire family walks over me like I'm some kind of... doormat . [ " Baby , just hang in there ! It's almost over ! Mason's voice is shaking like he's the victim here . [ ] But he's just standing there . Watching his family humiliate me . Not lifting a finger to stop it . Mason's parents step over my back first , then his grandpa , his uncle , his cousin . " Mason , you fucking coward ! " I scream , but the groomsmen just push down harder . ] I hear Riley's voice right by my ear , dripping with fake sympathy : " It's just family tradition , Lily . If you really want to be with Mason , you gotta prove you can handle it. " ] My hair's completely destroyed , my wedding dress is getting dirty from being on the floor and people stepping near me . ] They made sure to send my mom away so she wouldn't see this shit show . Some of my relatives try to rush the stage , but Mason's family forms a wall around me . 0 The whole venue's going crazy . I feel completely hopeless . Is this really what my dream wedding was supposed to be ? After what feels like forever , they finally let me up . I'm done . Completely fucking done . ] My bridesmaids , looking as shell - shocked as I feel , help me stand and start walking me toward the exit . But then Mason's mother pipes up again . ] " Hold on there , sweetie . We're not quite finished ." " SCREW THIS ! I'm out ! " I shout at the old witch . But they block my way . Mason's family drags out a huge bucket reeking of shit . " Now Lily , " Mason's mom says with this sick smile , " you need to reach in here and pull out these plastic babies . However many you find , that's how many sons you'll give our family . " ] " Are you people insane ? I'm not putting my hand in that disgusting shit ! " " Come on , babe ... this is it , I promise . Last thing . Please just ... just do what my mom says . " Mason's practically on his knees , begging me . Looking at his spineless face makes me want to puke , I kick off my heels and try to push past them , but Ethan grabs me again . " We told you to do something , so do it ! Stop being such a drama queen ! " " Don't fucking touch me ! " I'm fighting them off , but my white dress gets splattered with whatever nasty liquid is in that bucket My wedding is completely destroyed . My bridesmaids try to reach me , but the other groomsmen block them . Riley's still running her mouth from the sidelines . " Come on , guys ! Why don't you teach these stuck - up bitches a lesson ? " " Look how hot they are don't you want a piece ? " " Rip those dresses right off Show them what real men can dor Riley's practically bouncing with excitement , loving every second of this nightmare The wedding guests are horrified , shouting for them to stop , but Mason's parents keep insisting this is " normal " " You don't just marry into the Carter family without earning it , " they announce . [] " This girl needs to learn her place if she wants to be our daughter - in - law . " ] Riley's got her arm linked with Mason's mom , playing the perfect little angel . " You're so smart , Mrs. Carter ! After today , she'll know exactly who runs the show . " [ ] Mason's mom's grinning like the devil . " I could tell this one was going to be trouble from day one . Thank God you suggested putting her in her place ! Once she's in our f family , she better learn to shut up and do what she's told . " ] " But honey , if you were marrying my Mason . I'd never put you through any of this . "] " Such a shame you two couldn't make it work ... I would've loved having you as a daughter - in - law . " Riley sighs dramatically . " Oh , Mrs. Carter , you'll always be like a mother to me . " " Mason's married or not , nothing's ever going to change how I feel about him . " Hearing their little heart - to - heart , I see red . Pure , blinding rage takes over . 0 I twist around and bite Ethan's arm so hard I taste blood . He screams and lets go . I stumble to the nearest table , grab two wine bottles - one in each hand - and smash them over the heads of the assholes who were grabbing my bridesmaids . Blood everywhere . " Lily ... what the hell is wrong with you ? " ? " Mason stares at me like I'm the crazy one . Like I just committed murder . ] " They were just messing around ! Did you really have to hurt them ? " I drop the broken glass and slap Mason so hard my hand stings . When Riley tries to get between us , she gets one too . Finally , dead silence . " Just messing around ? You call that messing around , Mason ? " " How about I ' mess around with you the same way and see how you like it ? " " This wedding's over . I'm done with all of you psychos ! " " You and your whole fucked - up family can kiss my ass ! " ] I turn to face all the shocked wedding guests and give them a deep bow . ] " I'm so sorry you all had to witness this insanity . Obviously , there's not going to be a wedding today . Anyone who brought gifts can get them back at the door - I'll make sure of it . " I grab my bridesmaids by the hands and walk out of that hellhole without looking back once .