**Diary Entry**
I arrived early to my own wedding—only to find my sister in a wedding dress standing at my altar.
Hannah had spent years saving for her dream wedding. Every penny, every grueling shift at work had gone into this single moment. But when she walked into the venue an hour before the ceremony to soak in the quiet joy of what was to come, her heart seized with horror. There, in front of the altar, stood a bride in white. And that bride was her own sister—Marianne.
She wasn’t just stealing her place. She was stealing her day, her dream, her long-awaited happiness. But Hannah decided then and there—she wouldn’t let this stand.
That morning, waking in her rented flat, Hannah had felt a flutter of excitement in her chest. Today was hers and Leonard’s day. Years of scrimping, of whispered conversations over spreadsheets, all for this perfect moment.
*”Just think, Hannah, how much we’ve saved by skipping takeaway,”* Lenny had laughed as they pored over another budget plan.
*”All for the sake of health… and our dream,”* she’d replied with a smile.
Now, that dream was about to come true.
She arrived at the church early—wanting a quiet moment alone, to breathe it all in, to walk barefoot on the polished oak floor, to feel the air thick with anticipation before her new life began.
But the second she pushed open the doors, that dream shattered.
There, before the altar, bathed in soft candlelight, stood Marianne—flawless in white lace, adjusting her veil while staff scurried about putting final touches on the seating. Guests were trickling in. Hannah recognised them—her relatives, her friends, all invited for *her* wedding.
For a moment, the world went silent. She pressed a hand to her chest, struggling to breathe. Then Marianne turned—and her face lit up with a smug smile.
*”Oh! You’re early!”* she chirped. *”I thought I’d have this all sorted before you got here… Oh well, the surprise still works!”*
Surprise?
Something dark and heavy coiled in Hannah’s stomach.
*”What surprise?”* she croaked.
Marianne rolled her eyes as if *she* were the one being unreasonable.
*”Oh, don’t be childish!”* she simpered. *”Think of it—two weddings at once! You marry Lenny, I marry Arthur. Think of the savings! The fun! Mum loved the idea, by the way.”*
Hannah’s vision swam. Fragments of words struck her: *”two ceremonies,” “savings,” “Mum approved.”*
*”You… You’re serious?”* Her voice shook with fury. *”You’re hijacking my wedding?”*
Marianne shrugged as if discussing nothing more than what to order for tea.
*”What’s the harm? It’s all set up. The dresses, the guests… Why not make it a double celebration?”*
Hannah’s nails dug into her palms.
All her life, Marianne had taken from her: toys as children, their parents’ approval, teachers’ praise. But this… this was beyond forgiveness.
Her gaze swept the room. The wedding planner—Bella—stood frozen, watching the disaster unfold. Her parents, the guests, even Marianne’s groom looked mortified.
*”Did you tell Arthur I agreed to this?”* Hannah spat.
Arthur wouldn’t meet her eyes.
*”She said it was all arranged,”* he muttered.
That’s when something snapped inside her.
Straightening up, she turned to Bella with a calm smile.
*”Bella, add a second ceremony to the contract. Separate. And invoice Marianne immediately—venue hire, catering, musicians, photographers… everything for *her* wedding. Payment due before she walks down the aisle.”*
Bella nodded as if she’d been waiting for this.
Marianne paled.
*”What? What invoices?! I thought—this was shared!”*
*”No, Marianne,”* Hannah said coldly. *”This is mine. Your wedding is an *add-on.* And it comes at a premium.”*
The room fell silent.
*”You’re insane!”* Marianne shrieked. *”We’re sisters! Family!”*
*”And that’s exactly why you should’ve respected me,”* Hannah shot back.
Their mother, silent until now, finally spoke.
*”You did this to yourself, Marianne. Sort it out.”*
Marianne erupted—screaming, stomping, hurling accusations. Arthur, red-faced, shook his head.
*”I’m leaving. This isn’t the woman I want to marry.”*
And with that, he walked out.
Their father called security. Marianne was escorted out, still sobbing curses.
Hannah and Lenny’s wedding went perfectly. No drama, no theatrics—just quiet joy.
Later, as the last guests drifted away, her mother pulled her close.
*”You did the right thing,”* she whispered.
Hannah smiled through tears.
*”I won’t let her ruin my life anymore.”*
And for the first time, she felt free.
From that day on, she lived for herself. And for those who truly deserved her.
Would you have forgiven a sister like that?