"The church was silent as the priest guided the couple through their vows, the tension palpable as the groom slowly slid the ring onto his bride's finger. But just as the ring was about to touch her skin, he abruptly pulled his hand away. "I can't do this." He declared, his voice echoing through the silent church. The audience gasped in shock as he turned to the back of the church, pointing to the open door. "I'm calling this wedding off. I'm marrying her instead." All eyes turned to the door as a woman marched gracefully down the aisle, her head held high and a smirk playing on her lips. Dressed in a breathtaking wedding gown that outshone even the bride's, she strode confidently toward the groom, ready to take her place by his side. The shock was palpable as the guests realized that the woman was none other than the bride's younger sister. The younger sister reached the altar, the groom gently took her hand, and together, they moved to stand before the priest. The stunned silence of the guests was punctuated only by the soft sound of the bride's sobs as she watched her groom and sister walk away from her. Even the priest seemed at a loss for words, but he regained his composure and resume the ceremony. "Do you take this woman to be your lawfully wedded wife?" he asked the groom. "I do" the groom replied, his voice firm. The couple exchanged vows, their gazes locked on each other as if they were the only two people in the room. "You may kiss the bride" The priest announced and they embraced, their kiss passionate and lingering,as the real bride, unable to bear the sight any longer, fainted. ***** The story began long before the dramatic wedding day, in a cruel twist of fate, Kayla, the elder sister stole away the Delaney, the younger sister's college boyfriend. Delaney, heartbroken and unable to forgive her elder sister's betrayal, harbored resentment for years. Despite appearances of moving on, the Delaney never forgot the man she had loved so deeply and how Kayla cruelly snatched him from her. Years passed and Kayla announced her engagement to a man from another country, Delaney saw her chance for revenge. She hatched a plan to not just ruin her sister's wedding, but to steal the groom for herself. With careful manipulation and cunning, Delaney managed to win over the groom, setting the stage for the ultimate betrayal. And so, on that fateful day, the younger sister marched down the aisle, ready to claim her sister's husband as her own and exact her long-awaited revenge.
Chapter 1 The Reunion
Delaney stood in the kitchen, her knife moving automatically as she chopped vegetables. The soft rhythm of the blbhhade on the cutting board kept her mind from wandering too far.
She focused on the task at hand, determined to remain composed for Kayla's homecoming. It had been five years since she last saw her sister, and tonight, Kayla was returning home-along with someone Delaney had never met.
The air was thick with anticipation, though Delaney couldn't tell if it was excitement or unease stirring in her chest.
She wiped her hands on a towel as she heard the sound of the front door opening, followed by her mother's voice ringing through the house.
"Kayla! Darling, you're home!"
Delaney took a breath, smoothing her hands over her apron before heading to the living room. As she entered, she saw Kayla enveloped in their mother's warm embrace, her eyes bright and filled with excitement.
Kayla looked the same but more polished, like someone who had left for a grand adventure and returned with stories that outshone the life she left behind.
Delaney's eyes drifted to the man standing next to her sister. Tall, dark-haired, with a calm demeanor. His smile was polite, and he had a confident presence that wasn't overbearing.
It was clear who he was, even before Kayla introduced him.
"Everyone, this is Alexander Kane" Kayla said, her voice practically glowing with pride.
"My fiancé."
The word *fiancé* lingered in the air. Delaney's smile tightened, though she kept it in place. Kayla had mentioned dating someone, but fiancé?
*Was I supposed to know this?* Delaney thought, a flicker of surprise crossing her face.
"Congratulations, Kayla," she said, moving forward to give her sister a hug.
"And welcome, Alex," she added, extending her hand to him.
Alex shook her hand, his grip firm but warm. "Thanks, Delaney. It's great to meet you."
The air between them felt polite, distant-exactly what she expected. As they all sat down, their mother couldn't contain her excitement.
"So, Kayla, tell us everything! How did the two of you meet?" her mother asked, leaning forward eagerly. "And when did this engagement happen? You've kept us in suspense for so long!"
Kayla laughed, tossing her hair back.
"It's a long story. Alex and I met during my first year in California, through a work event. He was there on business, and we just... clicked. The engagement was a bit more recent. He proposed a couple of months ago."
"A few months!" her mother exclaimed, her hand flying to her chest.
"Why didn't you tell us sooner? We could've started planning already!"
Delaney stayed quiet, her hands resting in her lap as Kayla launched into the full story.
Kayla's eyes sparkled as she recounted the details of how Alex proposed-on a cliffside at sunset, with the Pacific Ocean stretching out behind them. Their mother listened in rapt attention, gasping at all the right moments, while Alex sat beside Kayla, nodding along with a gentle smile.
"That sounds like something out of a movie," their mother gushed, glancing over at Alex with approval.
"You must be quite the romantic."
Alex chuckled softly. "I try. Kayla deserves the best."
Delaney's smile wavered as she listened to them talk. She knew the right things to say, the right way to nod and agree, but her heart wasn't in it. She felt like she was watching a play-one where everyone knew their lines except her.
"And what about the wedding?" their mother continued, her excitement barely contained. "Do you have a date set? Where's the venue?"
"We're thinking about an outdoor wedding," Kayla said, smiling. "We've always loved the idea of something open and natural. Somewhere beautiful. Maybe up in wine country, or near the coast."
"That sounds perfect!" their mother said, already imagining the details. "I can see it now-flowers everywhere, the ocean as your backdrop... When do you think it'll be?"
"Three weeks from now," Kayla said casually, like it was nothing. "We wanted to keep it simple."
"Three weeks?" Delaney finally spoke, unable to hide her surprise. She blinked, glancing between Kayla and Alex.
"That's... soon." She strutters.
"Yeah, we didn't want to drag it out. We just know we're ready, you know?" Kayla smiled at Alex, who smiled back at her.
Delaney nodded slowly, biting her tongue to keep from saying anything else. The rush felt almost absurd, like she had missed something vital. But no one else seemed to feel the same way. She stayed quiet, letting the conversation continue around her.
Their mother's questions came fast, covering everything from honeymoon plans to what life had been like for Kayla in California. Kayla answered each one eagerly, explaining how much she had loved the West Coast, the job opportunities, and the freedom of living on her own.
"You must've been so busy over the years," their mother said, her tone a mix of admiration and longing. "It sounds like you had such an exciting life out there."
"Yeah, it was a whirlwind," Kayla said, glancing briefly at Delaney. "But I've missed being home too. I've missed you guys."
Delaney smiled, but it didn't reach her eyes. She hadn't heard much from Kayla over the years, just the occasional holiday call or text. The distance had always felt deliberate, like Kayla had made her own life far away and never really looked back.
After dinner, Delaney excused herself.
"I think I'm going to head upstairs. It's been a long day," she said, standing from the table.
Her mother smiled. "Of course, dear. We'll catch up more tomorrow."
Delaney nodded and headed upstairs, her footsteps slow as she made her way to her room. Once inside, she closed the door and let out a breath she hadn't realized she was holding. She sat on the edge of her bed, staring blankly at the wall. It wasn't that she hadn't expected Kayla to move on with her life. But a fiancé? A wedding in three weeks?
Her thoughts raced. How had Kayla kept all this from her for so long? She couldn't decide if she felt hurt or just... forgotten.
A soft knock on her door interrupted her thoughts.
"Delaney? It's me."
"Come in."
Kayla entered, closing the door behind her. She looked at Delaney with an easy smile, the kind that once made Delaney feel at ease but now felt... distant.
"Mind if I sit?" Kayla asked.
"Sure."
Kayla sat beside her on the bed, brushing her hair over one shoulder.
"It's been so long, huh? I can't believe how much time has flown."
"Yeah, it's crazy," Delaney said, trying to sound normal.
"I missed you," Kayla said softly. "I know we haven't talked much over the years, but I thought about you. I hope you're happy for me."
"Of course I am," Delaney said, forcing a smile.
"It's just... a lot to take in. But yeah, I'm happy for you."
Kayla grinned, clearly relieved.
"I knew you would be. I'm so lucky to have found Alex. He's been amazing these past five years. Through everything-work, life, just... everything."
Delaney nodded, though her thoughts wandered. *Five years. The same time she left. The same time everything changed.*
Kayla continued, oblivious to her sister's silence.
"He's the one, Delaney. I can't explain it, but I just know. I can't wait to start my life with him. He's been my rock, you know?"
Delaney forced another smile.
"He seems like a good guy."
"He is," Kayla said, her voice dreamy. "And I can't wait for you to get to know him better. I think you'll really like him."
Delaney nodded again, her heart heavy. She wanted to be supportive, to feel something more than this strange, hollow ache. But it was hard. Too hard.
Their mother's voice called from downstairs. "Kayla! Come down for a minute, we need to talk!"
Kayla stood up, smoothing her dress. "I'll catch you later, okay? I'm glad to be back, with you..." Kayla smiled sincerely.
"Yeah, me too," Delaney said, her voice soft.
As the door closed behind Kayla, Delaney lay back on her bed, staring at the ceiling. She let out a long, slow breath, her mind spinning. Kayla was getting married. *My sister, getting married? In three weeks.*
It felt surreal, like something she couldn't quite grasp. She closed her eyes, trying to calm her racing thoughts. But no matter how hard she tried, the unease wouldn't leave her.
Delaney continue staring into the silence, unsure of what the next few weeks would bring, but certain that nothing would ever feel the same again.
As the silence enveloped her, Delaney's eyelids dropped. Tomorrow will bring more revelations,
For now she lets sleep claimed her.
Chapter 1 The Reunion
16/10/2024
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