When we were kids, she was the kind of girl who could go about her business with a smile on her face, bat her lashes, and get away with almost anything. The other people thought that I was “more responsible” because I was two years older than they were. The individual who cleaned up Marissa’s mess was the one who deciphered that code. I would be the one to vouch for her in the event that she dishonestly told a teacher. In the event that she fractured the window of a neighbor, I was the one who extended an apology. And if she were to cry to our parents about how “unfair” life was, they would take immediate action to ensure that her requirements were met before anything else.
It turned into a routine: Marissa would take, and I would give.
By the time we reached adulthood, she had already stolen friends, partners, and even job possibilities due to her unquenchable desire to be the center of attention. I reassured myself that this was just the nature of her being, and that if I wanted to have peace in my life, I had to accept it.
To put it another way, I was not prepared for the ultimate betrayal by anything, and I mean nothing.
At the age of twenty-seven, I believed that I had at long last carved out a future for myself that was independent of the manipulations that my sister would engage in. During that time, I was engaged to Daniel Parker, a man whom I considered to be trustworthy, reliable, and most importantly, faithful. Despite the fact that Daniel was not particularly dazzling, he managed to make me laugh. He discussed the possibility of establishing a family together, going on a trip after we had accumulated sufficient funds, and establishing a home that was brimming with warmth.
For the first time in my life, I had the impression that my life was moving on a path that was entirely mine.
In addition, I had been actively saving money ever since I started nursing school. Until I had a total of $23,000, I put aside a percentage of each paycheck until I had accumulated it. Although I did not find it glamorous, I saw it as a form of protection, a cushion for the future that Daniel and I were supposed to spend together.
Marissa, on the other hand, continually vacillated between a number of half-baked schemes. First, she wanted to be a fashion designer, then she wanted to be a yoga instructor, and last, she wanted to be an influencer on social media. Not a single one of them lasted for more than half a year. The ability to attract people was one of her strengths, but she lacked the self-control to maintain anything.
My mother and father insisted that Marissa be my maid of honor when Daniel suggested that we be married. I concurred, hoping that perhaps, just for a change, she might be able to back me up rather than try to hurt me.
A little less than twenty-four hours before my wedding, the truth was gradually revealed.
I went to Daniel’s place to deliver a present that I had specially crafted for him. It was a scrapbook of our relationship, which was full of photographs, notes, and stupid little souvenirs that only the two of us would understand. I silently entered the building by using the key that he had provided to me several months before.
What I discovered is etched indelibly into my memory.
Daniel and Marissa were found in his covers at that very moment. As well as my sister, my fiancee.
At first, I was unable to take a breath. The globe began to tilt. It seemed as if someone had activated a fire alarm inside of my head, and my ears were ringing.
As they scurried around, they mumbled justifications that were quickly forgotten before they had left their mouths. It was too late to undo the damage, however.
Upon my insistence for answers, the truth was revealed, however it was not with any sense of regret. No, they did not express regret. They had an arrogant attitude.
They had been meticulously planned not only their affair but also their future together for a period of seven months. They had a “fusion concept” that Marissa had presented to Daniel one evening, and they planned to create a hip restaurant in Portland under that concept. And what about the initial funding? The money I have saved.
The individuals in question had actually searched through my desk, discovered my bank information, and figured out how to gain access to my account. As part of their plan, they intended to publicly humiliate me during the wedding, and then they intended to utilize the consequences as a clean break as they fled together.
There was not just dishonesty and theft, but also meticulous planning that took place over the course of several months. It was a betrayal on top of betrayal.
My parents gave me the same monotonous phrase when I approached them, anticipating that they would be outraged by my behavior: “Marissa does not always think things through.” Remember that she is your sister, and you must forgive her.
Would you forgive her? Are you responsible for wrecking my relationship, my trust, and my future?
At that very instant, I realized that I could not allow them to prevail.
And here comes Julian, my closest friend.
Since we were both in college, Julian and I had been inseparable. He was employed in the field of cybersecurity and possessed a naughty behavior that served to counterbalance his otherwise steady attitude. After I informed him of what had occurred, he did not only comfort me; rather, he leaned up close to me with his eyes shining and said:
What would happen if we were to make their brief performance into something that they would never forget?
Together, we came up with a scheme that was so ridiculous that it was almost cinematic in nature.
First, the wedding should be allowed to continue. Give Daniel and Marissa the impression that they had triumphed.
The next step is to trade locations. Through the use of crocodile tears, I was able to persuade Marissa that I was too emotionally devastated to continue with the ceremony; yet, I wanted her joy to be the focus of attention. I seemed to be defeated and told her, “You and Daniel are destined to be together.” It is appropriate for you to take my place at the altar.
Unsurprisingly, Marissa was overjoyed by the news. She expressed her excitement at the prospect of becoming the bride herself.
The third step is the surprise at the reception. We were able to create a high-definition film with the assistance of Julian’s technological ability and Daniel’s mother, who was enraged by her son’s acts and ready for justice. Screenshots of texts, hidden camera footage from Julian’s gadgets, and even audio clips in which they laughed about how gullible I was were all included in the collection of recordings that were made of Daniel and Marissa in potentially embarrassing situations.
It was more than just dishonesty. The ridicule, the plotting, and the cruelty were all exposed.
On the big day, the exquisite hall that we had reserved months in advance was full with two hundred guests. Everyone, including family, friends, and coworkers, was dressed to the nines and humming with excitement during the event.
During the time that Marissa was walking down the aisle wearing my wedding dress, I remained hidden behind the scenes. They exchanged vows jointly, despite the fact that Daniel appeared to be both confident and anxious. The boldness caused my stomach to turn, but I made a conscious effort to maintain my composure.
It wasn’t until the reception started that I made my appearance. Taking the microphone while maintaining a calm demeanor caused the crowd to let out a series of gasps.
I started up by saying, “Thank you all for coming.” The celebration of love, trust, and commitment is what weddings are all about. On the other hand, I would like to present the happy couple with a unique wedding gift today—something that is a true representation of their journey together.
After saying that, Julian turned down the lights.
On the enormous projection screen, the video that was being shown started to play.
Initially, there was a frightened hush, then there were murmurs, and then, there was complete and utter anarchy. As the heinous details were revealed, the guests stood there with their mouths covered, some of them left the room, while others gazed with open eyes. There was a lack of color on both Daniel and Marissa’s faces as they sat there transfixed.
While I “cried into my nursing scrubs,” the final tape showed the two of them laughing about how they would use my money to start their new life. I did this while they were laughing.
As soon as the lights were turned back on, the silence was absolutely oppressive. After that, Daniel’s mother stepped up and communicated in a tone that was able to break through the tension:
I brought up a son, not a parasite,” she said. “You have brought shame upon this family.”
It was not applause that erupted from the guests; rather, it was criticism. Through the use of video and whispers from attendance, the hashtag #OurSisterlyLove became a trending topic on social media by the time the night came to a close.
Both Marissa and Daniel’s lives began to fall apart very rapidly.
Within a few days, the restaurant arrangement was no longer viable. As soon as the film was made public, no investor wanted to interact with them. The reason given by Daniel’s employer for firing him was “reputational concerns.” The social media profiles belonging to Marissa were inundated with ridicule until she decided to erase them.
Who are their companions? It’s gone. Who is their financial backer? shattered up.
They had constructed their plan, which was based on lies, and lies fall apart more quickly than anything else.
In the meantime, I made an investment with the very money that they had attempted to steal and put it into something that was significant. Having received support from Julian, I decided to create a nursing consultancy that specialized in providing training to small clinics on how to improve the efficiency of patient care. My ambition to create a future that they could not tarnish was the driving force behind its rapid expansion, which began on a modest scale.
I went on a trip, and for the first time in years, I was able to relax and take a deep breath. When I traveled to Italy, Japan, and New Zealand, I did not experience any betrayals but rather collected memories.
On the other hand, something unexpected began to develop between Julian and I over time.
At first, it was nothing more than thankfulness and a sense of intimacy as a result of everything that we had done together. However, during late-night planning sessions, laughter that helped lighten the burden of the past, and travels when we learned how much we just enjoyed being around each other, our relationship became larger and eventually turned into love.
When we were standing on a peaceful beach one evening, admiring the sunset, Julian took a small box out of his pocket and introduced it to us.
The words “I don’t want to be just the guy who helped you get revenge” were spoken in a low voice by him. My goal is to be the kind of person who spends the rest of his life working to ensure that you never again have a need for vengeance.
I responded with a yes.
As the date of our wedding draws near, I am aware of the irony that has occurred. There will be a significant number of visitors who were present at the disaster that occurred the previous year, but this time they will be there to celebrate something that is genuine.
Starting from the very first day, every single vendor has made their services available at no cost. They informed me that they wanted to assist in rewriting the conclusion. Over time, a new story has been written, one that is not founded on treachery but rather on resiliency, love, and loyalty. This new chapter has been pieced together.
Who are Daniel and Marissa? As of the last time I heard, they are making a living by performing odd jobs in various states and moving about from place to place. The names of these individuals are occasionally mentioned in rumors, although at this point, they are more akin to cautionary tales than actual persons.
When it comes to myself, I have now realized something that I wish I had known a long time ago: the concept of family is not tied to blood. People who are there for you when everything else in the world breaks apart are the ones who define it. Julian is favoured by many. Those individuals, such as Daniel’s mother, who opted for truth rather than blind loyalty. The friends who did not allow themselves to be seduced by Marissa’s appeal are liked by many people.
I promise that this time, when I go down the aisle, I will not be accompanied by uncertainties, worries, or shadows from the past. It will be with absolute conviction, knowing that the life I am about to enter is mine, constructed not on illusions but on love that has repeatedly demonstrated its worth.
That, in my opinion, is the most satisfying form of retribution of all.
