It started with a feeling I couldn’t quite shake.
As the days drew closer to the wedding, a lingering restlessness settled in my mind. I figured it was typical pre-wedding jitters, just the usual mix of nerves and excitement. But this felt different.
A shadow loomed over every joyful moment, an expectation not of promises or dances or flowers, but of something else—someone else. Deep down, I knew where the tension was coming from, even though I kept brushing it away, clinging to the idea that Linda certainly wouldn’t dare.
But then again, Linda, my ever-dramatic stepmother, had a way of making herself known when all eyes should be elsewhere. And unfortunately, as my special day approached, it became clearer that her shadow would be impossible to ignore.
“These flowers have to be perfect,” said Linda, arranging them too carefully.
“After all, it’s a big day for the family.
I sipped my tea at the dining table and tried to stay calm.
My father smiled at her. “Linda has a great feel for these things,” he said.
I tried to smile. “They look nice, Linda,” I replied.
When I was ten years old my mother died and I was raised by my stepmother Linda. She has always been the life of the party and today was no exception.
She fussed over the flowers and saw that each petal was placed correctly. She moved dramatically as if she were performing on stage. I wondered what role she would try to play at the wedding.
An old woman holding flowers in a pose
Trying to shift the conversation, I asked, “Are you excited about the wedding, Dad?”
His eyes glistened as he nodded. “A lot, Alexandra. It’s going to be a beautiful day.”
“Yes,” Linda added, “and everything has to be flawless. It’s not every day that we have such a momentous event.”
Even though my thoughts were elsewhere, I nodded. I believed that Linda would somehow make the day her own. She did it every time.
I remembered the holidays and birthdays when she was able to steal the stage and sideline me.
My worries grew as Linda kept digging into the flowers. With Linda around, it was always hard to appreciate the wedding.
“Do you need help, Linda?” Trying to be polite, I signed up.
She dismissed me with a wave. “No, no, honey. I have everything under control.”
“Okay,” I forced a smile. “Dad, I’m going to take a vacation, I have to be somewhere.
My best friend and bridesmaid Sarah and I met at the wedding planner’s office.
She hugged me and said, “Why does the bride look so sad?”
“I guess I’m just nervous.
“You’re going to have the best day so don’t get upset! We’re getting late so hurry up.”
We went to the office of Grace, the wedding planner.
She looked up from her notes and continued, “Well, um, your stepmother asked to sit in the front row and insisted on giving a speech during the reception, Alexandra.”
I was taken aback. I discussed it with Linda. Could she?
“Isn’t it usually reserved for the mother or father of the bride?” Sarah raised an eyebrow in question.
Grace nodded. Yes, the bride’s parents usually sit in the first row. In theory, Linda shouldn’t be there because your father will be there and you decided to keep a place for your late mother in her memory.
We must also respect family customs and maintain a certain level of decorum.
The tribute to your mother at this wedding is especially touching.
I sighed as the old frustration returned.
“Everything she does has to be about her, she’s probably planning a spectacular show.
Sarah leaned closer. “We have to be ready for whatever he plans.
Grace looked at me worriedly. “How would you like to handle it, Alexandra?”
I stopped thinking. “Can we let her know that my parents can be the only ones in the front row? Maybe advise her to choose a seat in the second row.”
Grace agreed and said, “That sounds reasonable,” “I’ll talk to her. What about the talk?”
I shook my head. “I’m not interested in her speech at all, it’s supposed to be both a wedding celebration and a tribute to my mother.
He will only focus on himself.
Sarah nodded. “We can have another speaker if necessary. Perhaps one of us or a member of your mother’s family?”
“That’s a good idea,” I remarked a little more casually. “Let’s make sure the speeches are meaningful and respectful.”
Grace wrote down a few things. “I’ll see to it, we’ll make sure everything goes smoothly.
Sarah squeezed my arm as we walked out of Grace’s office.
“Alex, don’t worry. This is within reach. Linda won’t ruin your day.”
I hoped he was right and nodded.
When I got back to our apartment, I had to tell Tom about my worries.
I put my suitcase by the door and added, “Linda is determined to steal the show,” “She’s giving a speech at the reception and she insisted on sitting in the front row.”
Tom hugged me. “We’ll deal with this together. Don’t worry.”
I frowned as I leaned into his embrace.
I replied, “It’s not just that,” and pulled away from him. He has a talent for making everything look great. Even though she is not my biological mother, she consistently puts herself in the roles intended for my mother. We wish to keep my mother’s place in the front row in her honor. I’m afraid he’ll make our wedding just for himself.
Tom gave a reassuring smile. “Trust me. I have a strategy. Give her a chance. Everything will work out.”
“What plan?” he asked, interested.
He kissed my forehead. “Just trust me. It’s unexpected. But I can assure you it will keep the focus right—on your mother’s memory and ours.”
Feeling a little better but still nervous, I sighed. “I hope so. I just want everything to go smoothly. Linda can be so unpredictable.”
Tom shook my hand. “I see. However, we have this. We have this in common.”
I tried to calm myself down by nodding. “I’m grateful, Tom. Thank you very much.”
His smile gave me comfort. “Anytime, love,” he said. “Now let’s enjoy the evening and not worry about Linda.
I smiled and appreciated his encouragement.
Soon the wedding day arrived.
I felt both anxiety and excitement.
Sarah came into the room with a pale face while I was still getting ready in my bathrobe.
Her words, “You won’t believe this,” drew me to the window.
I noticed that Linda was coming out in a full-length white wedding dress.
“What the…” Okay, I didn’t expect this. How could she?
“What are you doing, Linda? You must not attend my wedding in white. I can’t control my anger, so I rushed to her.”
She smiled and said, “Oh dear,” without any remorse. “Alexander, you are young. You have your whole life ahead of you. I may never have the chance to feel like a bride again. I am worthy of this attention.”
My temper flared, but Tom pulled me back. He smiled mischievously and muttered, “Trust me, we’ll figure it out later.”
“But Tom, how could she?”
He said, “Trust me, okay?” and I succumbed.
As the ceremony continued, Linda sat in the front row, enjoying the attention she had stolen. It was obvious that Linda got what she wanted because Grace had a helpless look on her face.
Despite my inner turmoil, I trusted Tom.
During the ceremony, I tried to focus on the vows and the presence. Tom looked at me and nodded reassuringly. But my confidence in Tom’s strategy faltered every time I saw Linda’s arrogant look.
I held my breath until the speeches began. Linda stood up, ready to take charge. But Tom grabbed the microphone before she could say anything.
“Ladies and gentlemen, before we continue, I’d like to share a special video honoring Alexandra’s late mother.
When the lights went down, a beautiful montage of my mother appeared on the screen.
The room was full of loving messages, videos, and photos. The guests were obviously moved and I started to cry. Linda’s face changed from smug to surprised.
Tom gave me a knowing smile as the bow drew to a close. “Today is dedicated to paying tribute to your mother and our beloved Alex. That cannot be taken away.”
Then he turned to Linda. He said, “Linda, could you join us?”
Linda looked arrogant and believed that she would get credit.
“Today we decided to let Linda shine even more,” added Tom as she entered the stage. “Linda has always been a star in her own right.
The second presentation began. The first few photos of Linda at the wedding in a white dress from different angles were very innocent. Then it was Tom’s turn.
Linda snuck into my bridal suite that morning as seen in the next picture.
She was seen twirling around with a bouquet she stole from the flower arrangements as she tried to put on my wedding veil for the camera.
Linda blushed as the room gasped.
She tried to stay calm, but Tom wasn’t done.
He pointed at the DJ and remarked, “Wait, Linda, we’re not done yet.”
Suddenly, a recording of Linda bragging about her plan to shadow me on the phone with her friend came over the speakers.
“This little princess needs to discover her role.
Her voice echoed down the hall, “I’ve waited long enough to have my moment.”
The audience was in disbelief and some even jeered. “I told you I had it covered,” Tom muttered as he hugged me.
However, the surprise was not over yet.
Tom arranged for Linda’s ex-husband to be the guest speaker. He took the stage and told everyone about Linda’s previous mischievous behavior, revealing her true self.
Result? Red-headed and cornered, Linda walked out of the hallway as stealthily as she could.
Tom and I smiled knowing we had taught her a lesson. Although she was wanted, she was in the news for all the wrong reasons.
Did you also have to pass on knowledge to someone at the wedding?
The spotlight disappeared from Linda as Tom’s plan brilliantly restored the joy and sincerity that was to define our day. Guests were left with a story not only of our love but also of resilience and the importance of honoring those we hold dear. The tribute to my mother, the meaningful vows we shared, and the support of friends and family overshadowed the disruption Linda was trying to cause.
After all, a wedding is about starting a new chapter with love and sincerity. When Tom and I looked around, we didn’t see Linda’s theater, but the faces of those who were really happy for us. The lesson Linda walked away with – and one that was clear to all – was that real joy and love comes from people who really care, not attention seekers at any cost.
As the evening wore on, we celebrated surrounded by love, laughter, and gratitude. The challenges of the day only underscored how strong our bond truly was, and Tom’s quick thinking saved the day. With a smile, I knew that together we could face whatever life threw our way. And after all, that’s what marriage is supposed to be about.