While Zinnia was walking down the aisle during her wedding, her stepsister, who had a habit of making fun of her appearance and abilities, accidentally tripped her in front of two hundred guests. Zinnia was under the impression that no one saw. On the other hand, the next morning, her father summoned her stepsister upstairs and had a conversation with her that caused her to shed tears.
When my father, Aldric, wed Nythea’s mother, I was eleven years old. At that time, Nythea was 12 years old. She made it quite plain that I was an invader seated at my own family table… and in my own home, from the minute she entered our home to the moment she left.
“Dad, I don’t understand why she gets to sit there.” During the very first meal that we had as a family, Nythea pointed at me. When I go to my mother’s house, I always sit there.
I glanced at my father. The uncomfortable grin that grownups employ to maintain calm was the one that he offered. What do you think, Zinnia, my sweetheart? Would you mind sitting over here instead?
So that was the beginning. As time went on, little compromises turned into significant surrenders.
Nythea would tilt her head from side to side and observe me when I became 13 and my body expanded out in an odd manner. “There are some individuals who just aren’t destined to be stunning. You should realize that some females mature later than others. Unbelievably late?
It was too embarrassing for me to inform my father that I had my first period, so I went to her house and knocked on her door. A single pad was thrown to me when she opened it, rolled her eyes, and broke it open. Excellent. “From this point forward, you will be even more dramatic with your ridiculous mood swings.”
I auditioned for the school chorus when I was 14 years old. On a high note, my voice snapped and cracked. It seemed as if Nythea was destined to be on stage since she breezed through her audition. During that particular evening, she worked on her solo performance with her door wide open, her voice resonating down the corridor like a taunt.
“Next time, you should make an effort to refrain from singing through your nose! When she saw that I was paying attention, she spoke in a lovely voice, “Perhaps you should try opening your mouth for a change!”
However, I did not give up hope. I never stopped thinking that there was a sister hiding behind all of that nastiness who may one day care about me.
For fifteen years, I convinced myself, “Perhaps she will eventually grow out of it.”
Take a trip back in time to three weeks ago. Thane made the proposal six months ago, and I am now 26 years old. Although the wedding preparation process was a frenzy, Nythea seemed to be… different.
One morning, when she was drinking her coffee, she stated, “Zinnia, I want to help.” When I was younger, I am aware that I was not always the best sister. As for you, this is your day. Allow me to make it a great one.”
I came dangerously close to choking on my latte. “Are you interested in… providing assistance?”
“The florist has already been contacted by me. Working on the centerpieces was necessary. And don’t even get me started on the DJ’s idea for the music that will play during your arrival. The action of flipping her hair was one that she had done before, but her grin seemed genuine. “You are deserving of the spotlight. It is best to delegate the specifics to your older sister.
Sister who is older. She had never previously referred to herself in that manner.
She was flawless for a period of three weeks. She was responsible for coordinating the suppliers, taking a second look at the guest list, and even suggesting that I stand in the aisle so that she could deliver me my bouquet during the ceremony.
At that moment, her eyes sparkled as she replied, “It will be like passing the torch.” ‘From one generation to the next’ is the phrase.
“I shed a tear.” Do you honestly believe that this is taking place after all these years?
Would you be that sure? I inquired about it.
“Zinnia, you have waited for a sufficient amount of time to be the star. I’m not going to allow anything to disrupt it.”
The morning before the wedding began to seem like a dream. The outfit I wore was a snug fit. One of my makeup artists was a true master. Even the normally unruly hair on my head cooperated.
It’s you, Zinnia. You have a great appearance! Her hands were clutched together as if she couldn’t believe what she was hearing. “In all seriousness… You are without a doubt the most stunning bride I have ever seen.
Next, she took a quick look at her phone. “Don’t worry, I’ll just check the flowers one more time, all right? Have a good time at the altar!
While I was in the middle of responding, she escaped. A few minutes later, there was a gentle tap at the door of the wedding suite on the door. Upon opening it, I saw my father standing there with his eyes wet and a delicate grin pulling at his lips.
My dearest, my darling! Your radiance is totally unmatched.”
“Do I appear to be in good health?”
You have a striking resemblance to your mother. He extended his arm to me. It would make her very proud.
Outside the doors of the chapel, we formed a queue. Music started playing. My heart was racing, but it was the healthy type of nervousness—the kind that develops in anticipation of the most memorable events in life.
“Are you ready?” My father gave my hand a gentle squeeze.
I gave a little nod. The doors were opened. Every every person in the chapel smiled and turned their face toward us. Thane, dressed in his blue suit, stood at the altar with a smile on his face as if he had just won the world.
It was the first time that we had walked down the aisle. The camera of the photographer made a faint clicking sound. There was no flaw in any aspect.
After that, I came upon her.
Nythea was standing just off the white carpet as she was carrying my bouquet. Her grin was kind and sisterly, and she looked absolutely lovely in the bridesmaid dress she wore.
“She is right there!” The father murmured. “Your sister has been looking forward to this for a very long time.”
She was approached by us. I extended my hand, prepared to accept the bouquet, and prepared to take the first step into my new life.
Nythea made an abrupt movement. Her foot darted out, as swift as a snake, and across the route that I was on.
My heel became stuck. My ankle became twisted. As I fell to my knees on the marble floor, I threw myself forward with my arms flailing and the bouquet flying out of Nythea’s hands.
The silence fell over the congregation. There was a collective gasp from two hundred visitors.
Not Nythea, however.
And there she was, standing there with her lips twisted into the cutest, most contented grin I’d ever seen. This was something that she had been planning for years.
“Oops!” she said, but her voice was loud enough for everyone to hear. It’s hardly surprising that some individuals never learn how to walk elegantly.
Dad helped me to get up, his face showing signs of worry as he did so. “Zinnia, are you in pain here?”
It was painful in my knees. I had a twisted curtain about me. This white garment was smeared with dirt. My chest, where fifteen years of hope had just been crushed, was the location where the true hurt resided.
“Son, I’m doing fine.”
My father used his loving hands to pick off the dust that was on my frock. I was kissed on the forehead, and his eyes were fixed on mine. “You continue to be the most stunning bride I’ve ever seen, sweetie,” she said.
We proceeded to go down the aisle. With injured knees and a veil that was uneven, I tied the knot with Thane.
Attendees at the event were constantly inquiring about my well-being. I gave a grin and said that it was simply nervousness. At the same time that she was soliciting sympathy for how “awful” she felt about the “accident,” Nythea easily navigated through the throng.
It was our cousin who I overheard her saying, “Poor Zinnia.” When she was wearing heels, she was usually so clumsy.
I traveled to my father’s house the next morning in order to return some decorations. Not only did my knees hurt, but my heart hurt much more—the place where I had previously found hope.
While I was in the kitchen, my stepmother was reading the newspaper. “Good morning, my little one. And how are you feeling?
“That’s fine. Is your father here?”
“His office is located on the upper floor. Around ten minutes ago, he asked Nythea to come along with him. Said that he required a private conversation.”
In order to deliver the centerpieces, I went up to the second floor. With a voice as icy as ice, I heard my father’s voice through the office door that was only partially closed.
Please take a seat, Nythea.
“Dad, if this is really about the day before…
“I told you to sit down.”
On the landing, I became completely immobile. Prior to then, I had never heard him speak in such a manner.
Would you believe that I was oblivious to what you did? The tone of his speech was subdued, commanding, and menacing. Do you believe that I failed to see your foot leaping out? That grin you had on your face as she fell?
“It was quite a coincidence! It was her clothing that she fell on.
Stop telling lies.
The void of silence grew.
It was Dad’s chair that made the creaking sound. Is it possible that you are aware of what you have done? Her efforts to earn your favor have been ongoing for years… foolishly hope that you would treat her as if she were a member of your family.”
“She is a member of the family!”
It is not. In a family, members do not degrade one another. In a fit of envy, family members do not wreck the most significant day of someone’s life.
Jealousy? “” To what end?”
“She is everything that you will never be,” the speaker said.
The stillness continues. In an effort to calm my racing heart, I placed my back against the wall.
Dad said, “I had something for you,” and he said it. A present for the wedding. It is $155,000. It’s time to stop looking for that apartment you’ve been admiring.
As Nythea took a strong breath in, I was able to hear it.
“Had,” Dad said once again. “The past tense. Now, the cheque is going to be given to Zinnia. For the reason that she was the one who shown grace the day before. The one who fell and got back up without making a fuss is the one who did it.
“Dad, could you…”
Are you trying to make her seem more diminutive? You are very welcome. You instead made yourself seem to be a pitiful person.
As the door to the office opened. With mascara smeared over her cheeks, Nythea staggered out of the room. It was as soon as she noticed me standing there that her face became utterly contorted.
She mumbled, “This isn’t over,” but her voice was completely devoid of any kind of resistance.
The doorway was suddenly opened by Dad. His eyes were more clear than I’d seen them in years, despite the fact that he seemed to be younger. An envelope was given to me by him.
The tone of his voice was heavy with remorse as he remarked, “Kiddo, I should have done this sooner.” As children, I ought to have provided you with a higher level of protection. Because I was so preoccupied with bringing our families together, I failed to remember to protect my own daughter.
The envelope was opened by me. “For the daughter who never stopped hoping, never stopped trying, and never stopped being kind,” the message read in the handwriting of the father, which was included in the package along with a check.
At that moment, the tears began to fall. It wasn’t the furious ones from the previous night; rather, it was something more profound. Perhaps some relief. Or the healing process.
“Dad, it’s not about the money,” the son said.
“I am aware.” I was encircled in an embrace by him. “The story is about someone finally coming to terms with what she done to you. The issue is one of justice.
After a period of three months, I am now writing this from the living room of the home that Thane and I purchased with the present from my father. Almost immediately after the wedding, Nythea relocated to a different state. It has been a while since we last communicated.
I am sometimes asked whether I am feeling guilty about the way things have turned out. if I might have wished for a different conclusion.
An important lesson I’ve picked up is that you can’t love someone and expect them to love you back. When it comes to changing a person’s heart, you can’t rely on hope alone. And there are instances when the individuals who are supposed to protect you are unable to do so.
My wedding was not without its flaws. It was my stepsister who made sure of that.
And what about that occasion at Dad’s office? Is that a quiet taking stock? Something inside me that I was unaware was still bleeding was healed as a result of it.
And what is the most exciting part? I no longer have to wish for Nythea’s approval at any point in the future. I never.
