Growing up, my parents made it clear that my sister, Melissa, was the favored child. Every birthday celebration revolved around her, and family outings were planned according to her preferences. I learned to stay quiet and agreeable, as expressing my own desires only led to disappointment.
As we entered high school, Melissa’s popularity waned, and she began to direct her cruelty towards me. She would falsely accuse me of wrongdoing, and my parents would believe her without question. The rumors she spread about me at school isolated me from my friends, and I spent most of my teenage years alone.
But I didn’t let their behavior break me. Instead, I focused on my studies and worked hard to earn a full scholarship to college. It was a fresh start, and I finally found my voice through writing and psychology classes. That’s where I met Ryan, and we fell in love.
When we decided to get married, we planned a modest wedding. However, my parents offered to help with the wedding costs, but with a condition: Melissa had to walk down the aisle first, in her own wedding dress, with her own bouquet and photos. Ryan and I exchanged a knowing look, and I nodded in agreement, playing along.
Ryan had a plan. Over the next few months, he met with my parents, agreeing with their demands while subtly manipulating them to plan the wedding their way. Meanwhile, I would whisper hints about having a “cheap and tasteless” wedding, which would prompt Melissa to insist on more lavish arrangements.
On the wedding day, Melissa arrived late, wearing an expensive gown, expecting to walk down the aisle first. But security stopped her, as she wasn’t on the approved list. My father stormed up, demanding she be let in, but it was too late. The music started, and I walked down the aisle with Ryan’s father, surrounded by our friends and family.
As we exchanged vows, Melissa threw a tantrum outside, screaming and crying. The video of the incident spread, and the whispers followed her everywhere. When my parents confronted Ryan and me after the ceremony, Ryan coolly replied that they had no written agreement and it was too late now.
We enjoyed our reception, cut the cake, and drank the expensive champagne. The next day, we posted a thank-you note online, and then turned off our phones and left for our honeymoon in Bali. Melissa sent me a threatening message, but Ryan screenshotted it and sent it to the family group chat, and we didn’t bother responding. We knew we had each other, and that’s all that mattered.
