My pregnant sister arrived abruptly with luggage a week before my wedding, saying she had nowhere to go. Bad timing and familial conflict were my first thoughts, but as time went on, I suspected her genuine motivation for moving in was something else.
I always imagined the week before my wedding would be amazing, like a movie where the bride glows.
I was overwhelmed by 100 lists, ignored emails, and calls from people who assumed my calendar was theirs.
With seven days till the wedding, I was running on coffee and panicking. I adored Daniel. Neither my phone nor my thoughts stopped buzzing.
Have you invited everyone? Mom inquired three times that morning.
“Yes, Mom,” I murmured, reopening the guest list.
“What about Mary Wilson?” she said.
Scrolled and froze. Somehow, I missed her. The name made me tense, envisioning the drama if Mom found out during the reception.
Daniel’s mother called five minutes later, her voice shrill as she read the budget line by line.
“Do you need this photographer? And that cake? Can’t you find something cheaper? She asked.
“Daniel’s paying for it all, not you,” I softly reminded her, my mouth stiff.
She said, “That doesn’t mean you shouldn’t be careful,” before hanging up.
I had spreadsheet-induced eye strain by Daniel’s arrival.
“I’m exhausted,” I said, scratching my temples. “I feel like I’m failing before it begins.”
“How hard can it be?” Daniel replied.
I replied, “Well, you’re not organizing a single thing.”
He grinned and kissed my forehead. Remember we agreed? I cover everything, you plan.”
“But you don’t seem worried at all,” I said.
“I love you, and I’m sure about my choice,” Daniel whispered. “So why worry?”
I wanted to disagree, but I leaned into him and rested my head on his shoulder, letting his serenity wash over me. Both of us jumped when the doorbell rang.
“Who could that be at this hour?” Daniel asked, checking the clock at about 10 p.m.
I said, “I’ll get it,” to the door. Lily stood with two bags and a tote bag under the porch light, her baggy sweatshirt covering her plump belly.
“Lily, you’re pregnant?” I shouted. I had no idea she was dating.
She edged by me into the hall. “I need lodging. Got expelled. You’re my sister, therefore you can’t refuse.”
A look at her baggage. Are you simply moving in? Tonight?”
“Yes. Where’s my room? She asked.
I showed her the guest room and gave her clean blankets and towels. We’ll discuss everything tomorrow, I said gently. She nodded and dropped her purse without looking at me.
I returned to our bedroom to find Daniel leaning against the doorframe, arms crossed. He bluntly stated, “She can’t stay here.
She’s my sister, Daniel. I won’t toss her out at night,” I said.
Shaking his head. How long she’ll be here is unknown. She’s pregnant. More commotion in the house is not needed now.”
“She has nowhere else to go,” I said, chest clenching. “What do you expect me to do, tell her to sleep in her car?”
“I expect you to think about us,” he replied. “Our week. Our wedding.”
His jaw tightened. “This is a bad idea; you’ll see I’m right.”
Our quiet was thicker than the blankets as we went to bed.
I stared at the ceiling and thought about how Daniel and Lily had never liked each other, and now that she was in our house, the tension would only grow.
Daniel departed for work before I woke up. The coffee machine was spotless, the front door chain unlatched, and his bedside was cold.
Standing in the corridor, I listened. The house was quiet save for the fridge’s hum.
Lily was still asleep, so I knocked on her door and urged her to come to the kitchen.
She entered a few minutes later, hair a mess, holding her phone like it was glued to her hand. “What’s so urgent?” she muttered, sitting down.
I offered her a drink of water and added, “We need to talk.” Why are you homeless?
Lily sighed, looking at the table. I was sacked when they discovered my pregnancy. Unable to pay rent. My landlord evicted me.”
I looked at her belly and then her face. “Do you know the father?”
First she paused, then shrugged. “No. I don’t need a lecture before you begin.”
Rubbing my forehead. I’m stressed about the wedding, Lily. I cannot handle another crisis.”
“I’ll try not to cause problems,” she answered hastily. “I’ll help when I can.”
Though skeptical, I nodded. My bag in hand, I left. I must work. Need anything? Text me.”
“Yeah, sure,” she murmured, browsing her phone again.
I heard piercing, low, tight sounds from the living room when I got home that night. I froze outside the doorway.
“Why give you money?” Daniel insisted.
“You know why,” Lily replied coldly.
“I can’t be sure about that,” he said.
Movement followed a pause. Lily bumped Daniel’s arm after seeing me in the doorway. His eyes met mine, flattening his expression.
“What’s up?” Stepping inside, I inquired.
Dan said, “Nothing,” too hastily.
“Just a misunderstanding,” Lily said, smiling artificially.
I gazed at them, suspicious, but neither responded.
I assumed this was another fight since they had never liked each other. Something about how they both averted my eyes knotted my gut.
I felt more restless as the wedding approached. Seating charts, late deliveries, and Daniel and Lily’s stress made my stomach turn.
She vowed not to cause problems, yet she left her clothing on furniture, ate my work meals, and watched TV for hours.
I bit my tongue, remembering that stress was bad for pregnant women, but it was exhausting.
I transferred dollars onto a travel card from our honeymoon account two days before the nuptials.
Catching my breath. The balance was 0. I read through the statement and saw one withdrawal for the amount we saved.
I remembered that uncomfortable exchange between Daniel and Lily.
I entered the guest room with clammy hands after she left to meet a friend.
I thought I was only seeking for an explanation, but under her pillow was a folded check stub with Daniel’s name and our account balance.
A white medical lab envelope was next. My heart raced at the sight. Even though I didn’t know everything, I knew what was happening.
I summoned them to the kitchen that night. Daniel sat against the counter with his arms folded, while Lily slouched in a chair, bored like I’d interrupted something she didn’t care about.
I responded, “I know what’s going on,” voice calm but frigid. “And I’m done being fooled.”
Daniel frowned. “What are you discussing?”
Lily looked between Daniel and myself with crossed arms. “Why don’t you just spit it out?” she challenged.
I looked at Daniel again. “Our honeymoon fund is gone, and I know you gave it to her,” I stated slowly.
Daniel tensed, but Lily leaned forward before he could respond. “You want to know why he did it?” she asked.
I watched her. “Go ahead. Inform me.”
After a moment, she lifted her chin. Because he’s my baby’s father, not simply your fiancé.
“Lily, stop!” Daniel snapped, red-faced.
“It’s true!” she replied. “We had a brief affair seven months ago, and he owes me and this child his presence.”
“You think this is the way?” I hissed, holding the table edge. Moving into my house, emptying our savings, and then bombing me?
Raising her voice, Lily I hadn’t planned this! But I deserve aid!”
My heart raced as I walked between them. “Enough. Both of you.”
“Oh, I understand,” I interrupted, staring at him. “I know why you did it. I have proof you both lied to me.”
The envelope was taken from my pocket and placed on the table. “You want to continue your story? Fine. But this contradicts.”
Lily’s face was colorless. What’s that?
“DNA test. “I found it in your room,” I responded evenly. “And it proves Daniel isn’t the father.”
Daniel sharply exhaled, shaking his head. “So you’ve been playing me?”
I just needed some security!” Lily yelled, her voice cracking. I thought—”
“Enough!” My shouts echoed in the kitchen. Get out. Both of you. I finished my house.”
They both protested, but I ignored them. I opened and waited at the door.
Daniel followed, hands up. “Can we calm down and discuss this? This need not explode like—”
“It has!” My hands shook as I interrupted. “You let her move in here knowing what you did, but you still wanted to marry me. Was I expected to walk down the aisle clueless?
“That’s not fair,” Daniel gritted. “I tried to shield you.”
“Protect me?” Bitter laughter. From the truth? From discovering my fiancé and sister slept together? Leave now. I never want to see you in this house again.”
Daniel made one last attempt on the porch. “Do you know how much I spent on this wedding?”
“I don’t care,” I responded, removing the ring from my finger and throwing it to him. “Take it and leave my life.”
Leaning against the door, I closed it before he could respond and heard their footsteps fade.
Despite my constricted chest, I knew I had made the proper option. Choosing myself.
