10/17/2025
I (27F) am getting married this fall to my fiancé, Evan (29M). Our wedding's in my aunt's backyard, under string lights, with barbecue and a bluegrass band. Cozy, not flashy. My dad (55M) has been dating Janine (42F) for two years. She's nice… but she's the kind of woman who makes everything about herself. Loud laugh, louder opinions—the "MAIN CHARACTER" in every room. She already stole my engagement announcement once, but last week she did something I'll never forget. During dinner, she suddenly says, "SO… I ALREADY FOUND MY DRESS FOR THE WEDDING!" and whips out her phone like she's revealing a masterpiece. I look—and my jaw literally DROPS. It was white. Long, lacy, tight-fitting, with a train. A full-on wedding dress. "Janine," I said, forcing a smile, "I'd really appreciate it if you didn't wear something that looks like a wedding gown." She waved me off. "OH, RELAX, SWEETIE. YOU'RE WEARING THAT SIMPLE, CASUAL DRESS, RIGHT? THIS WILL LOOK TOTALLY DIFFERENT!" I FROZE. How did she know what my dress looked like? She smirked. "YOUR DAD SHOWED ME THE PHOTO YOU SENT HIM! IT'S CUTE—VERY ORDINARY, VERY YOU!" My blood ran cold. My dress was custom-made—cream, ankle-length, soft lace. Inspired by my late mom's wedding photos. Then my seamstress called. Janine had contacted her—asking for a copy of my dress "BUT MORE GLAMOROUS." She wasn't just wearing white. She was trying to UPSTAGE ME. I didn't yell. I just smiled, nodded, and made a few quiet changes to my wedding plans. So when Janine strutted into the ceremony in her ivory mermaid gown… and saw WHAT me and all the guests were wearing—her face turned BRIGHT RED.⬇️⬇️⬇️