They say blood is thicker than water, but nobody tells you what happens when that blood turns toxic. My sister’s wedding should have been a celebration—but it became the day everything fell apart. I’m Kylie, thirty-five, a mom living in a small town. My sister Lily was always the golden child—perfect in our parents’ eyes. She was marrying Adam, the mayor’s son, and I’d poured all my energy into helping plan her dream wedding.
The morning of the wedding, I was struggling with my son Matt’s bow tie when he asked, “Is Dad coming?” Josh, my husband, claimed he had a “client emergency.” I didn’t argue. I was used to his excuses. As Lily walked down the aisle, looking absolutely stunning in her gown, I swallowed my mixed emotions. I was happy for her. At least, I thought I was—until Matt tugged my hand and whispered, “We need to go. Now.”
He pulled Josh’s second phone from his pocket—the one Josh swore was “just for work.” A video had popped up. My heart sank. It showed Josh kissing Lily in a hotel lobby. Yesterday’s date. The same hotel where the guests were staying.
Then came the text message underneath: “Meet me at 5. Don’t try to act smart or you’ll face consequences. – Josh.”
The ceremony blurred around me. The priest’s voice cut through the noise: “If anyone objects to this union, speak now…”
I stood up and walked to the altar.
“Adam, you need to see this,” I said, holding up the phone.
Gasps filled the room as the video played. Adam’s face fell apart. Lily stammered, “It’s not what it looks like!”
But Adam had seen enough. “The wedding’s off,” he said, and walked out.
Lily collapsed, sobbing. My mother turned on me, accusing me of ruining everything. But I didn’t back down.
“She betrayed me,” I said. “And so did Josh.”