He Chose Her Over Me So I Chose Myself Chapter 05
The day before the wedding, the entire house was busy preparing for Camille’s celebration dinner.
While lights were tested and speeches were rehearsed downstairs, I packed alone in my room.
A few stained-glass design sketches. An old laptop.
I owned so little that it all fit easily into one bag.
Cheers suddenly erupted from the stairwell.
Camille came out in a silver evening gown. My mother’s eyes turned red. My father praised her again and again. Grant stood under the lights and looked at her for a long moment before smiling.
“Everyone’s going to remember you tonight.”
Camille frowned lightly.
“Do you think the media will find it inappropriate? Holding my celebration during my sister’s wedding weekend?”
“They won’t,” Grant answered at once. “I’ll take care of it.”
Not long after, he pushed open my bedroom door.
“June, I want you there Saturday night, too. As her sister, could you go on stage and say a few words about how proud you are of Camille?”
My hand was on my suitcase zipper. For the first time, I honestly wondered if I’d heard him wrong.
Grant kept explaining. “If you say it yourself, the media won’t have anything negative to write, and Camille can relax.”
My mother stepped in behind him, her tone leaving no room for refusal.
“It’s only a few words. Be sensible. Don’t embarrass the family in public.”
So stealing my wedding wasn’t enough.
They also wanted me on stage, smiling, proving that all of it had happened with my blessing.
I closed the suitcase.
“Okay.”
The last of my hesitation was gone.