Night Before
Day before the wedding. In the hotel. Lia texted schedule details, asked me early to her place—the new home. Cloud Haven. Hers and Mark’s "home." I replied: Got it. Phone silent. Mark vanished—no contact since that night. Fine. Simpler. Evening. A package arrived—local courier. Opened it. Inside, a velvet jewelry box. Beneath it, an unsigned card. Printed: "Apologies. Words fail. This… from my mother to my father. Worthless, but she said it brought peace. Perhaps you need it. Tomorrow… take care." Opened the box. A tiny, plain silver ring lay inside—no gems, just aged patina.
I recognized it. Mark’s mom wore it for years—her mother-in-law’s, she’d said, valueless but habitual. He gave me his mother’s heirloom ring. Wedding eve. Meaning what? Belated remorse? Easing his conscience? Or thinking I needed "peace" to watch him wed? I lifted the ring. Cold. Stared long. Then, decisively, tossed it—card included—into the trash. Thud. Softly swallowed. Needed no cheap "peace." Needed stark clarity to witness this.
Ceremony
The wedding unfurled on a five-star hotel lawn. Sunshine brilliant. Azure sky, fluffy clouds. Gentle breeze. Decor dreamy—white drapes, blooms, balloons. Air thick with sweetness. Lia trembled in the bridal suite, clutching my hand. "Sister Amy! So nervous! Shaking!" Her palms damp and cold. Stylists perfected her makeup. White gown—painting perfection. Eyes pure, brimming with hope. "Breathe," I patted her hand, big-sister-like. "You’re stunning. Mark will be mesmerized." The words tasted bloody. "Yes!" She nodded fiercely, inhaling. "Thank you, Sister Amy! With you here… I’m steadier!" Her trust weighed heavily.
The wedding march swelled. The officiant’s voice boomed clear, solemn. Timing precise. Bridesmaids entered first—taking position at the aisle’s end. One last glance at Lia: eyes shut, bouquet clasped, lips curved in blissful prayer. Turned. Left the suite. Headed down the petal-strewn aisle. At its far end stood Mark. Impeccable black tux.
Posture erect. Hair slicked perfect. Distance blurred his expression. Only a dark silhouette against sunlit backdrop—a vast caricature. I stepped onto the carpet. Step by step. Heels silent on soft fibers. Yet each footfall crushed fragments of the past. Guests’ eyes lingered—warm curiosity, admiration. Spine straight, gaze level, I wore a faint, poised smile. Only I knew the void beneath. Reaching the end, I turned. Faced the entrance. Waited. The bride approached. Lia’s father escorted her slowly. Sunlight haloed her. Gown blinding. Smile shyly joyful. A true princess. All eyes locked on her. Applause rose.
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