My sister-in-law, Beth, had ruined my $8,700 dress, I found out the day before my wedding. My wedding day’s fate hung in the balance when the truth came to light during the excitement of the ceremony, thanks to an unexpected encounter and a covert video that exposed Beth’s horrifying motivation.
My stomach was churning with worry as I stood in front of the mirror. The wedding gown I had been dreaming of for years had appeared flawless in the bridal boutique. It felt strange now, hanging on my bedroom door, enclosed in a delicate white crepe.
“Grace, how’s your dress looking?” From downstairs, Jack called.
“Almost dressed!” Shouting back, I stroked the cloth with shaky hands.
My soon-to-be sister-in-law Beth had weeks earlier offered to change my outfit at no charge. Although she had a prior reputation as a talented seamstress, something seemed unnatural about her offer. But because our wedding fund was completely spent, I said yes.
“I still find it hard to believe Beth is helping you,” Mom had sarcastically said.
“Yeah, it’s very generous,” I had said, trying to hide my suspicions.
I started to zip up the dress after slipping into it, but something didn’t feel quite right. The bodice’s seams were gaping and ill-formed. The beautiful lace had been clumsily cut, leaving loose threads. My joy gave way to fear.
“Oh my God,” I said to myself as tears started to form.
“Grace, what’s wrong?” Jack inquired from the lower level, sounding worried.
“The dress is ruined,” I blurted out while attempting to contain my crying.
“What are you trying to say? I’ll see. He started to climb the stairs, saying, “I want to check it myself.”
“You can’t, Jack. Seeing the dress before the wedding is unlucky.
“Are you certain? Pausing at the entrance, he urged, “Maybe it’s not as bad as it looks.”
“Yes, it is. It’s ruined. How did she allow this to occur?” With a broken voice, I spoke.
“Are you sure it wasn’t a mistake?”
“No,” I said in a barely audible whisper, both to Jack and to myself. This is not a coincidence. She slaughtered it.”
Jack’s tone became softer. “Alright, let’s sort it out. We must.
With shaky palms, I dialed Beth. “Beth, what happened to my dress?”
She seemed to be innocent as she said, “What do you mean?”
“It’s ruined. How did you allow this to occur?”
“Please, just relax. It’s probably not that horrible. Perhaps you’re exaggerating.”
I’m not exaggerating. It is not suitable for wearing.”
“Look, I’ll come over and fix it.”
“Not at all, Beth. You’ve accomplished enough.
I hung up, feeling torn between desperation and rage. How was she able to accomplish this? I recalled our tense exchanges and her crude comments. Now everything made clear.
With trembling in my voice, I added, “I need to call my mom.”
Through the door came a forceful voice from Jack. Grace, we’ll get through this. She can’t spoil our day, we promise.”
Not long after, my parents came over, horrified at the condition of the clothing.
My mother assured me, “We’ll find a way,” even if her worries were mirrored in mine.
The following several hours seemed never-ending, a swirl of emotions and frantic attempts to figure out what to do. It was planned that the day after would be the happiest of my life. Rather, it was like a bad dream from which I was unable to awaken.
The next morning, when dawn rose, I made up my mind to reveal Beth’s deception. This could not get away from her. Not on the day of my nuptials.
I made the decision to act on my own behalf. This could not spoil my wedding day. I had no alternative but to run to the closest bridal store and get a new outfit. Although it wasn’t my ideal outfit, it would do.
The planning for the wedding accelerated. Excitement and the aroma of new blossoms filled the air. I felt nervous and determined as I put on my new outfit. It still hurt to think about the damaged outfit, but this was my day.
When the guests came, they kept glancing at my outfit with curiosity. Among them, I noticed Beth, whose shocked eyes widened. I noticed the flare of fury in her, but she immediately covered it up.
We gathered for the official pictures while the ceremony went on. My entire family stood in line to take the “all-family photograph,” grinning at the camera. With a stiff smile, Beth stood next to me. The photographer set us up and told us not to grin.
“Grace, why didn’t you wear the dress I altered for you?” Beth never faltered in her smile as she mumbled between gritted teeth. “Do you not appreciate all the hard work I put into it?”
I maintained a steady grin and a hushed voice. “Beth, you couldn’t wear that dress. It was utterly destroyed.”
“Ruined?” With malicious glints in her eyes, Beth muttered. “I worked on the outfit for hours! Clearly, you don’t think my work is worth it.
“Beth, since you thought the altered dress was so well done, why don’t you wear it to your own wedding?” I asked calmly, despite my insides churning. Think of it as my present to you.”
Beth’s cheeks flushed scarlet, but she forced a grin for the camera. After the photographer took the picture, everyone calmed down, and Beth hurried out with her fiancé, Adam, to find a spot among the spectators.
I looked over at the wedding videographer who was taking unscripted shots. “Could you film over there?” I asked, gesturing to Adam and Beth. “I want to remember everything about today, even the behind-the-scenes moments.”
With a nod, the cameraman approached them and took a covert look at his camera. A few minutes later, he casually walked over to Jack and me. He showed us the film on his camera and added, “I think you’ll want to see this.”
Adam could be heard on the video asking Beth, “Why are you so upset? It’s wonderful news to receive a complimentary $8,000 wedding gown!”
Beth hissed something low and harsh in return. “No, I did my best to make it look bad, but she handed it to me, so it’s mine now. With a wedding dress that is destroyed, what should I do?”
As I absorbed the confession, my pulse raced. Feeling both vindicated and devastated, I turned to face Jack. With support in his eyes, he gave me a squeeze on the hand.
Jack stated, “We have to show this to everyone.”
With the pastor assisting us with the legalities, we made our way to the vestry to sign the marriage record. There were close friends and family members crammed into the cozy, compact space. The tension and expectation in the air seemed heavy.
Carefully placing himself, the cameraman was prepared to record everything. I inhaled deeply as the clergyman gave me the pen. “There’s something everyone needs to see before we continue,” I said, maintaining a steady tone and giving the videographer a nod.
The recording was played by the cameraman. Asking Beth why she was unhappy over receiving a costly outfit for free, Adam’s voice filled the room. With evident displeasure in her voice, she said, “What am I supposed to do with a ruined wedding dress?”
Voices in the vestry gasped. My family was shocked and looked at Beth, their amazement turning to rage. Adam turned away from Beth, a look of bewilderment and shame across his face.
My mother trembled and cried, “Beth, how could you?”
Beth’s gaze flew about, but she saw nothing to comfort her. Her confidence slipping, she whispered, “I just… I wanted a dress as nice as that for myself, but there’s no way in hell my family could afford it.”
“I’m so sorry, Grace,” my father murmured, guilt weighing heavily in his voice. “We should have believed you.”
I said, “It’s okay, Dad,” with a sense of relief.
The clergyman cleared his throat, returning us to the present. “Should we go ahead?” he inquired softly.
We signed the register with a fresh sense of unity. The warmth of our family and friends supporting us removed the weight of Beth’s treachery.
With her reputation in ruins, Beth stood by herself. I felt a sense of finality when we looked back at her as we headed out of the vestry to carry on the celebration.
Jack and I had a wonderful wedding day, full of love and support, despite the stress. We were stronger, more resilient because of the experience.
How would you have responded in the situation?
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