Need A Substitute For Christmas, Any takers?

my life's savings

The number you’ve dialed does not exist. Please try again later. Toot toot.

I’ve been hearing this tone for the past two hours. Ever since my call with Fiona. She confirmed it. Jonathan had tried to cash out on the gown I’d ordered from Lovely Bride. Thanks to their strict protocols, the procedure wasn’t processed until they reached out to me right after Fiona’s call. I then called every other shop, double-checking the emails I’d received. Each one confirmed the same thing. Jonathan—Mr. Jonathan Miller—had requested refunds for every order we’d placed. All of them. I couldn’t breathe. My head was swimming, and my throat felt as if it had been replaced by sandpaper. I couldn’t even form a sentence, let alone find the words to call Jonathan and demand answers. My body was numb, dread seeping in like ice water.

Jonathan. Was he really... standing me up? Was this some twisted way of canceling our wedding? The more I thought about it, the more the reality settled in. I had called him again, and again, but his number kept going to voicemail. "This number does not exist," the automated voice kept repeating.

I couldn’t understand. This isn’t happening. I couldn’t believe it. Just yesterday, everything was fine. He’d been happy, we’d discussed the wedding—no issues. Was he mad because I’d asked him to change our plans last minute? Maybe he was angry? But even then, why wasn’t he picking up?

I collapsed onto the floor, staring at the ceiling, my mind unable to process the torrent of thoughts crashing through it. My phone was so close, but I couldn’t lift it. Every idea that came to mind only caused more panic—more confusion.

After a while, I sat up and gazed out the window, trying to steady myself. The view of Manhattan was stunning, but I couldn’t focus. My thoughts kept spiraling back to Jonathan. He hadn’t come home last night. Maybe his phone was dead? Or maybe he’d gone out with his friends for a wild bachelor’s night, right?

But... something felt off. I knew deep down that this wasn’t just about one night. Could he really be leaving me? I felt like I was losing my mind, grasping for something—anything—to explain this. Maybe I could call his friends. They had to know where he was.

I grabbed my phone from the floor, frantically scrolling through my contacts, but as I swiped past Jonathan’s friends, doubt hit me. What if they didn’t know anything? What if they were just as clueless as I was? My mind raced with these questions, but I couldn’t stop myself. My phone buzzed, an unknown number flashing on the screen. It was probably just another spam call, but right now, I couldn’t care less. I swiped to reject it, trying to focus on the chaos swirling in my mind.

It rang again. Persistent.

With a deep breath, I answered, my frustration palpable.

"Hello?" I snapped, irritation spilling over.

"Good day, Ms. Heather Harrison?" The voice on the other end was professional but melodic, something that only made my mood darker.

"Yes, that’s me," I replied curtly. Was this really happening right now?

"Ms. Harrison, my name is Getty from Discovery Bank. I’m calling about a recent request for a hundred thousand dollars from your joint account."

My blood ran cold. What?

"What are you talking about?" I managed to rasp out, the knot in my stomach tightening.

"Ma’am, we received an urgent request for a 24-hour withdrawal of that amount. We reached out to Mr. Jonathan, and he approved the transaction. However, as both your names are listed on the account, we wanted to confirm with you as well."

I felt my knees give way, and I sank to the floor, the phone slipping from my hand.

“No. I wasn’t aware of any request like that,” I whispered, but my voice felt hollow.

"It was processed yesterday morning," Getty continued, her tone steady, but the weight of her words hit like a punch to the gut.

“And you’re only calling me now?” I stammered, unable to stop the rising panic in my voice.

"I apologize, ma’am. Our protocols allow one person to withdraw without the other’s consent. However, now that we see Mr. Jonathan requested the full balance and closed the account, we wanted to make sure you were aware."

My world tipped. All of the money? Our joint account—my savings, everything I had worked for—gone?

I tried to steady my breath, but it was no use. I couldn’t make sense of this. My heart was pounding, my hands trembling. "Why would Jonathan do this? Why... why would he take all of it?" I gasped, choking on the words.