**Betrayal at the Wedding Table**
Margaret Wilson knocked hurriedly on her son and daughter-in-law’s flat door, her heart swelling with joy. She couldn’t wait to show them the photos from her youngest daughter’s lavish wedding last weekend. When the door swung open, there stood her daughter-in-law, Emily. Her face was drawn, her eyes red from crying. “Oh, it’s you. Come in,” she muttered coldly. Margaret’s stomach twisted at the tone. “Emily, love, what’s happened?” she asked cautiously, stepping inside. “Happened? Your son and I are getting a divorce!” Emily burst out, her voice cracking with hurt. “A divorce? Why?” Margaret gasped, disbelief setting in. “You mean you don’t know what he’s done?” Emily spat bitterly. “No! What’s he done?” Margaret’s heart pounded as she stared at Emily, dread creeping in.
Two months earlier, in a cosy riverside town, an argument had flared between Emily and her husband’s sister, Charlotte. “A wedding’s a once-in-a-lifetime event! Why won’t you celebrate it properly?” Charlotte had huffed when she learned Emily and her brother, James, planned to skip a grand affair. “Feels like a waste of money,” Emily replied calmly. “Better to put it toward something worthwhile.” “Like what?” Charlotte narrowed her eyes, suspicion dripping from her voice. “A holiday, a car, or a down payment on a house,” Emily listed. “So you *have* the money—you just won’t spend it on a wedding?” Charlotte pressed. Emily didn’t answer, but her silence said enough.
James and Emily settled for a quiet registry office ceremony and a modest dinner with close family—including Charlotte and her fiancé. Charlotte had initially refused to come, then changed her mind last minute. She had a surprise that would steal the evening.
After the ceremony, the newlyweds and their guests gathered at Emily’s parents’ spacious home on the town’s outskirts. The spread was generous—twelve guests, but the table groaned with home-cooked dishes.
As the toasts began, Charlotte suddenly stood, glass in hand. “To the happy couple,” she announced, voice trembling but loud. “But I’ve got news too—Oliver and I are getting married!” The room erupted in cheers. Emily forced a smile as Charlotte basked in the attention, boasting about her extravagant plans—a celebration the whole town would remember.
The bitterness lingered all evening. What should’ve been Emily’s special day had been overshadowed. “Why did she *do* that?” Emily vented to James later. “To rub it in? To prove her way’s better?” “Forget it,” James shrugged. “At least we’ve still got our savings for something important.” “Then let’s book a holiday,” Emily brightened. “Somewhere far from this mess.” “We’ll talk tomorrow,” James hedged. Exhausted, Emily let it drop.
Two weeks later, Charlotte handed them a wedding invite. “I’m not going,” Emily muttered, flipping the envelope. “Then we won’t,” James agreed. “Let’s go abroad instead,” Emily pressed. “After what she pulled, I can’t stand the sight of her.” James grew uneasy, sweating. “We’ll go later. I can’t miss my sister’s wedding.” “Then why pretend you’d skip it?” Emily snapped, pulling away.
Reluctantly, Emily attended. The wedding was staggering—a limousine, a five-star banquet, fireworks, professional photographers. “This is *insane*,” Emily muttered. “That dress must’ve cost a fortune. All for *one day*.” James mumbled something ambiguous.
The next morning, Emily brought up the holiday again. “I found cheap flights—let’s go!” James sighed. “We can’t. The money’s gone.” “Gone?” She laughed nervously. “We saved £50,000!” “I… lent it to Charlotte,” he admitted, avoiding her eyes. “She’ll pay it back.” Emily’s blood ran cold. “You *lent* it? Without asking? We saved that *together*!” “She begged me,” James muttered. “It’ll come back in bits.” “I don’t *want* bits! I want it now!” Her voice shook; the room spun.
Then Margaret knocked, clutching wedding photos, beaming. “Did you know your son paid for Charlotte’s wedding?” Emily accused. “Of course,” Margaret said airily. “Brothers help sisters.” “Unbelievable!” Emily choked. “We *skipped* our wedding to save, and he handed it to *her*! You *betrayed* me, James!” “Making a scene over *money*?” Margaret scoffed, stepping between them. “Half that money was *mine*,” Emily seethed. “Return it by Friday, or I’ll sue.” She stormed off, leaving them stunned.
“Ungrateful cow!” Margaret called after her. “Married five minutes and already causing trouble!” But Emily wasn’t bluffing. She filed for divorce and sued, demanding her share. The court ruled in her favour—James had to repay half.
With the money, Emily flew to Spain. There, under warm sun and the sound of waves, she met a man who became her second chance. By the time she returned, she wasn’t alone. And for the first time in months, her heart felt light—ready for a new beginning.
