But then, in our third year, Brittany enrolled at
our school, becoming Chris’s classmate.
She always needed “brother–in–law” to help
her with something, always sought him out
when she was upset, never holding back.
She was so dependent on him, idolizing him,
her eyes full of emotion when looking at him.
I saw them getting closer and closer and I
warned them.
They both denied it with practiced ease.
Chris even proposed to me to show his
devotion.
<
I desperately wanted to have a family of my
own, and I still had feelings for him. So, I said
yes.
But then, on my wedding day, Brittany
appeared.
The Sisterly Betrayal
She came bearing tears and blessings. “Sis,
even though my heart is breaking, I still wish
you and Chris a long, happy marriage.”
I was a little confused.
She called him “brother–in–law” all the time,
but now she called him by his first name!
It was my wedding day. I didn’t want any
drama, so I tried to ignore it.
<
But then she sobbed and fainted!
My parents were heartbroken.
“Mandy, you can’t get married! Give Chris to
Brittany.”
“Yeah, she has depression. Without love, her
condition will definitely worsen. What’ll she
do?”
“You’re the older sister. You should make a
concession. Just say yes!”
They were excitedly trying to persuade me,
just like always. Nobody took my side.
And I was the one who was being wronged.
My eyes were red. “If I had depression, would
you make concessions for me?”
Dad exploded with anger. “What’s that
supposed to mean? Are you making fun of
Brittany? You need to be punished!”
He clenched his fists. If there weren’t other
people around, he probably would have hit
- me.
Brittany suddenly started crying.
She was passed out, but still crying?
Mom’s heart was broken. “Mandy, just let
your sister and Chris be together, I’m begging
you.”
And she went down on her knees in front of
me!
୮
I was so shocked, and I tried to get her up.
But she refused, kneeling there, twisting the
knife in my heart.
Then Chris looked at me, guilt all over his
face. “Mandy, I can’t let anything happen to
Brittany. Let me take her away. I promise I’ll
come back.”
I knew him well enough. If he said something
like that, he wouldn’t be coming back.
Tears streamed down my face.
What else could I do? I could only watch them
leave.
I looked in the mirror.
<
The reflection showed me with makeup,
wearing a beautiful and sacred wedding
dress.
I was supposed to be a happy bride that day.
But now, I was nothing but a clown.
The Wedding Details
There was a knock at the door.
It was Chris.
My whole family welcomed him
enthusiastically and ushered him inside.
He was there to discuss the details of their
wedding, which was set for next week.
L
He looked around, a little confused. “Isn’t
Mandy coming home for the holidays?”
Brittany immediately looked sad and
distraught.
“She’s probably still mad at us. It wasn’t my
fault.”
Chris hugged her, full of tenderness.
“I shouldn’t have said anything. Don’t worry
about her. She’s always been trouble. Just
focus on being a bride.”
Brittany giggled through her tears. “Don’t talk like that! She’s still my sister.”
Her kind and understanding attitude made everyone admire her, and they used it as a
<
stick to beat me with.
Compared to her, I was always stubborn and
difficult, never likeable.
Even the honors I’d worked so hard for were
often stolen by her, never earning me a single
word of praise from my family.
The most memorable was when I won first
prize in a writing contest.
I wanted to invite my parents to the awards
ceremony to share my joy and the event
organizers wanted to interview our family for
a news report.
They said they’d be there.
But on the awards day, they called and said
<
they couldn’t come.
“Brittany is crying again, her limbs are weak.
Probably another bout of her depression. We
have to be there for her.”
Then they hung up, not giving me a chance to
beg.
I took my award alone, made my speech, and
then apologized to the organizers.
Because my parents couldn’t come, the
preplanned schedule had to be rearranged.
They were scowling, making veiled criticisms.
I couldn’t argue, and I had to hold back the
tears that wanted to fall from my eyes.
<
Later, I saw the photos on Brittany’s social
media.
Mom and Dad were playing with her at an
amusement park. She was on the carousel,
laughing happily, with her fingers up in a
peace sign.
Was that what depression looked like?
Why did she conveniently become depressed
every time I needed my parents?
