10/08/2025
I loved my house and the garden that sat behind it—years of work had turned it into a sanctuary, a place where I’d painted the fence, laid a new walkway, and planted roses to honor my late mother. When Kara, my fiancé’s younger sister, asked me to host her wedding there, I didn’t object. Her parents had always showered her with attention; I didn’t want to interfere, especially since my own love for Colin could never be compromised. Kara had booked a restaurant for the ceremony, but three days before the big day, a burst pipe flooded the kitchen and gutted the venue. With wedding season in full swing, no other locations were available, so Kara and her mother turned to my garden for a last‑minute solution. She beamed, delighted: “This is perfect for my wedding! We only have two days. You’re not upset, are you?” I had a soft spot for my home, having made it mine before Colin arrived, and the yard was a particularly sentimental space. So I agreed and left with Kara to run some errands out of town. When I returned two days later, my heart stopped. The garden that had been a haven was now a ruin—our fence had been torn down, flowerbeds shattered, roots exposed, and the roses I’d planted for my mother had been cut and repurposed to decorate Kara’s arch and tables. Kara stood in the center, tablet in hand, sipping coffee. “ISN’T IT BEAUTIFUL?” she asked. I could barely hear myself. “It’s spacious now! And the roses look great on the arch!” she continued, unfazed. I whispered, “You ruined my yard…” She shrugged. “OH, CALM DOWN! It’s my wedding, and I’ll do whatever I WANT!” Colin added, “Why are you panicking? She can do whatever she wants. It’s just flowers…” I held my tongue. The wedding was too close to spark a scene. At the ceremony, I presented a large red box as my gift. Kara unwrapped it with a bright smile, then her face went pale and the room fell quiet.