Alex’s smile always struck Anna to her core, every detail of his appearance drawing her gaze.
— Hey, why’re you zoning out? — Alex’s question, as he stood in the doorway, shattered Anna’s daydreams of beauty and light. — Is Emily home?
The spark in the girl’s eyes faded, her smile twisting into a scowl.
— In her room, — she muttered. — Come in.
At that moment, a beaming Emily rushed into the hallway and threw herself into her boyfriend’s arms.
— I missed you! — she whispered into Alex’s ear.
Anna rolled her eyes and mimicked her sister. — Makes me sick to watch! — she snapped, turning away.
— Alex, Anna’s got a crush on you, it’s obvious. Look at how she glares at me when we’re together, — Emily started.
— Don’t make things up. She could be upset for any reason. And even if it’s true, remember yourself at her age—weren’t you crushing on teachers and actors? She’ll grow out of it, don’t worry, — Alex said, pulling his girlfriend close. — I love you, silly.
With the wedding fast approaching, the to-do list wasn’t getting any shorter. Anna locked herself in her room, refusing to join her mom and Emily for tea. Her parents didn’t take her crush seriously, all saying the same thing: she’d grow out of it, it was just teenage hormones and youthful exaggeration. It would pass, like everything else.
Sisters often look like two peas in a pod, but not Emily and Anna. The older sister took after their father—tall, with thick blonde hair and striking green eyes. At 24, Emily barely looked 18, outgoing and driven, always the pride of their parents. Anna, nine years younger, was her mother’s mirror image: dark hair, brown eyes, olive skin, and petite. She desperately wanted to be like her sister, lightening her hair regularly, copying Emily’s clothing style, and mimicking her behavior and habits.
Anna’s feelings for Alex began the day Emily brought him home to meet their parents. From then on, he became her standard of beauty, intelligence, and the ideal man. Her jealousy knew no bounds—whenever Alex appeared at their apartment, Anna seemed to transform, becoming sharp, sarcastic, and rude. Only her private diary knew the true reason for her behavior.
As the wedding drew closer, time was running out, but Emily’s dress was finally purchased. Delicate, elegant lace perfectly complemented her figure. Because of the long train trailing on the floor, they decided to hang the dress on the wardrobe door to avoid creasing it. The sight of the dress sent Anna storming out of the room.
The day before the ceremony, Emily went to check on the dress, smoothing out the folds, but when she opened the garment bag, she gasped in horror. The beautiful train was ruined—torn at the sides with a large chunk of fabric cut out. Emily dropped the dress and burst into tears.
— Mom! — she cried. — Anna destroyed my dress, and the wedding’s tomorrow!
— Let’s try to mend it, calm down, we’ll find a way, — her mother soothed.
— Mend it? How? — Emily wailed. — The dress is ruined, my wedding is ruined! When that brat gets home, I’ll wring her neck! She’s old enough to know what she’s doing—she needs to face the consequences!
After calming down, Emily called Alex and told him what happened. His only suggestion was to borrow a dress from a friend’s wife, who’d gotten married six months earlier and was a similar size. With no other options, they went to get it. The dress was beautiful but slightly tight.
— We’re not canceling the wedding over a little discomfort, right? — Emily joked. — Alex, take the dress to your place, just in case Anna decides to ruin this one too.
When Emily returned home, she found Anna pretending to sleep in their shared room. Swallowing her anger, she decided to confront her younger sister.
— Why did you destroy my dress? The wedding’s still happening, and all you’re doing is ruining our relationship.
— I didn’t destroy anything. It was ugly anyway, — Anna hissed through clenched teeth. — It doesn’t matter. You’ll break up anyway. He’ll leave you for someone younger. — She broke into hysterical laughter. — Mark my words!
— You… How dare you? You’re insane! — Emily leapt up and slapped her sister hard across the face. A red mark bloomed on Anna’s cheek, and she began to cry. — Shut up, got it?
— I hate you! I’ve hated you since we were kids! Of course, perfect little Emily gets everything! The family’s pride! Everything’s for Emily, all her whims granted, as long as she’s happy. And what about Anna? The family’s black sheep, right? I hate you! I hope you… I hope you… — Anna stormed out of the room in hysterics, locking herself in the bathroom.
Stunned, Emily looked at their mother.
— Why does she hate me so much? — she sobbed.
— You know she was so young when your father died. She sees Alex as the protection and support she never had. She’ll grow up and understand, you’ll see, — her mother reassured her. — Go to bed, you need rest. You don’t want to fall asleep at your own wedding, do you? You can sleep with me tonight.
During the ceremony, Anna didn’t say a word, only glaring at Emily with eyes full of hatred before disappearing. They could only hope she wouldn’t cause more trouble. When it was time to cut the cake, the newlyweds began slicing pieces for the guests. Suddenly, Anna walked into the venue, wearing Emily’s shredded wedding dress, which hung awkwardly on her smaller frame. The train dragged across the floor, her tear-swollen eyes stared blankly, and her bright lipstick was smeared. A heavy silence fell—no one laughed.
Guests whispered among themselves as Anna lifted the dress and approached the couple.
— Got a piece for me, dear sister? — she asked in a mockingly polite tone, tears glistening in her eyes, her face twisted with disgust.
— Of course, here, — Alex said, handing her a large slice.
— Thanks! — Anna sneered, then flung the cake straight into Emily’s face. — Enjoy your day!
Emily, unprepared for such brazenness, didn’t even have time to shield herself. Frosting dripped down her face and hair onto the dress, bits of cake falling to the floor. The day was utterly ruined. Guests murmured and began to leave. Someone nervously joked that a wedding without a fight isn’t a real wedding, but no one joined in.
Their mother rushed around, apologizing to departing guests. When Emily and Alex returned, the venue was empty, with waiters clearing dishes and decorations.
— Em, she’s still a kid. She doesn’t understand what she’s doing, — Alex tried to comfort her.
— Stop defending her! She ruined our wedding—she’s not a kid, she’s a monster! Got it? — Emily rested her head on his shoulder, her hair sticky and wet, tears streaking her ruined makeup. — Why didn’t I throw that dress out? I’m such an idiot.
Time passed, and married life consumed Emily and Alex. The disastrous wedding faded into memory. Their mother visited often, saying Anna had calmed down. Still, Emily had no desire to see her sister after her antics.
A couple of months later, Emily felt ill at work and stopped by a pharmacy for a pregnancy test. Two red lines confirmed her suspicions. She left work early and rushed home to share the news with Alex. As she climbed the stairs, weakness hit her again, but her excitement was stronger. Bursting into the hallway, she froze at the sight of Anna’s coat on the rack. A lump rose in her throat, dread washing over her. Stepping over Anna’s scattered shoes, Emily flung open the bedroom door and stopped dead.
On their bed lay Anna, her arms wrapped around Alex’s neck as he leaned over her.
— What’s going on here? — Emily managed to choke out, struggling to breathe.
Alex spun around, shaking off Anna’s arms, and rushed to Emily. Anna glowed with triumph, already claiming victory.
The room began to spin, and Emily fainted. When she came to, Anna was gone, and Alex sat beside her, eyes wide with fear.
— Don’t tell me I imagined it, — Emily whispered, her voice so faint it seemed it might break.
— You didn’t. Anna came to ‘make up.’ I think she planned it all. She came over, we sat down for tea, then she suddenly went pale and started to collapse. I panicked and carried her to the bed. Then she grabbed me, I tried to push her away, and that’s when you walked in. She’s a brilliant actress.
Emily believed him—she knew her sister’s tricks all too well.
— Is Anna gone? — she asked quietly.
— I kicked her out. Should I not have?
A few hours later, Emily calmed down and decided to have a serious talk with Alex.
— Alex, listen, Anna won’t leave us alone. Let’s move away, start fresh somewhere else…
— Isn’t that a bit extreme? — Alex interrupted. — She’ll grow up, fall in love, get married, and forget all this.
— We don’t have time to wait! I’m scared for our baby! — Emily blurted out.
— Baby? — Alex choked. — Really? You’re pregnant? Forget everything I said! Where do you want to go? I’m ready right now!
Soon, despite family protests, they moved to Seattle. They rented an apartment, Alex found a job through friends, and Emily prepared for motherhood.
Perhaps, in time, the sisters will reconcile and forgive past grievances—who knows.
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