When Alexandra’s mother-in-law arrived at her wedding in a white dress, insisting she deserved attention, Alexandra expected chaos. But her husband had a plan to turn things around in a way no one expected.
“These flowers have to be perfect,” Linda said, arranging them with exaggerated care. “After all, it’s a big day for the family.”
An elderly woman surrounded by flowers | Source: Pexels
I sat at the dining table, sipping my tea and trying to stay calm.
My father smiled at her. “Linda has an eye for this kind of thing,” he said.
I forced a smile. “They look good, Linda,” I replied.
A young woman | Source: Midjourney
My stepmother, Linda, came into my life when I was ten years old, after my mother passed away. She loved being the center of attention, and today was no exception.
She tended the flowers, making sure every petal was in the right place. Her movements were spectacular, as if she were on stage. I wondered what role she would try to play at the wedding.
An elderly woman taking a photo with flowers | Source: Pexels
“Are you excited about the wedding, Dad?” I asked, hoping to change the subject.
He nodded, his eyes shining. “Very excited, Alexandra. It’s going to be a wonderful day.”
Linda added, “Yes, and everything has to be perfect. It’s not every day we have such a big event.”
Wedding Arrangements | Source: Midjourney
I nodded, but my mind was elsewhere. I knew Linda would find a way to make the day center around her. She always did.
I remembered birthdays and holidays where she would make sure she was the star of the show, leaving me in the shadows.
As Linda continued to tend to the flowers, my anxiety grew. I wanted to enjoy the wedding, but with Linda around, it was always a challenge.
An elderly woman | Source: Midjourney
“Do you need help, Linda?” I asked her, trying to be polite.
She shook her head. “No, no, my dear. I have everything under control.”
“Okay,” I said, forcing a smile. “I’m going, Dad. I have to go somewhere.”
An elderly woman confidently taking a photo | Source: Midjourney
I met Sarah, my best friend and maid of honor, at the wedding planner’s office.
“Why does the bride look so sad?” she asked, hugging me.
“I guess I’m just nervous.”
“Don’t be; you’re going to have the best day! Now come on, we’re late.”
Two friends share a hug | Source: Pexels
We entered the office of Grace, the wedding planner.
“Well, uh, your mother-in-law asked to sit in the front row and insisted on making a speech during the reception, Alexandra,” she said, looking up from her notes.
I was stunned. Linda and I had talked about it. How could she?
A worried woman | Source: Pexels
“Isn’t that usually reserved for the mother or father of the bride?” Sarah asked, raising an eyebrow.
Grace nodded. “Yes, traditionally, the front row is reserved for the bride’s parents. Since your father will be in attendance and you chose to honor your late mother by reserving a seat for her, Linda technically shouldn’t be in that spot.
“Furthermore, we must maintain a certain decorum and respect family traditions. This wedding is very meaningful, especially with the tribute to your mother.”
Chairs at a wedding | Source: Pexels
I sighed, feeling the familiar frustration rising. “She always has to make everything about herself. I bet she’s got something big planned!”
Sarah moved closer. “We have to prepare for whatever she’s planning.”
Grace looked at me with concern. “How would you like to handle this situation, Alexandra?”
A wedding planner | Source: Midjourney
I thought for a moment. “Can we explain that the first row is reserved for my mom and dad? Maybe suggest he sit in the second row?”
“That sounds reasonable to me,” Grace agreed. “I’ll have a word with him about it. What about the speech?”
I shook my head. “I really don’t want her to give a speech. It’s supposed to be a tribute to my mother and a celebration of the wedding. She’ll do whatever she wants.”
A mother and daughter kiss | Source: Pexels
Sarah nodded. “We can ask someone else to speak if necessary. Perhaps one of us or someone from your mother’s side of the family?”
“That’s a good idea,” I said, feeling a little more reassured. “Let’s make sure the speeches are meaningful and respectful.”
Grace took some notes. “I’ll take care of it. We’ll make sure everything goes smoothly.”
A woman taking notes | Source: Pexels
As we left Grace’s office, Sarah squeezed my arm.
“Don’t worry, Alex. We’ll take care of it. Linda won’t ruin your day.”
I nodded, hoping she was right.
A woman is consoled by a friend | Source: Pexels
Back at our apartment, I had to share my concerns with Tom.
“Linda is determined to steal the show,” I said, setting my bag by the door. “She said she’s going to give a speech at the reception and insisted on sitting in the front row.”
Tom put his arms around me. “We’ll take care of this together. Don’t worry.”
I frowned, leaning into his embrace.
A couple hugging | Source: Midjourney
“It’s not just that,” I said, pulling away from him. “She has a habit of making everything into a spectacle. She’s not my real mother, but she’s always pushed herself into roles meant for my mother. We want to honor my mother by keeping her front row seat. I’m afraid she’ll make our wedding revolve around her.”
The face of an elderly woman | Source: Pexels
Tom smiled reassuringly. “Trust me. I have a plan. Let her have her moment. Everything will be fine.”
“What kind of plan?” I asked, curious.
A woman sitting on a chair and taking a photo | Source: Pexels
He kissed my forehead. “Trust me. It’s a surprise. But I promise it’ll keep the focus where it belongs—us and your mother’s memory.”
I sighed, feeling a little better but still anxious. “I hope so. I just want everything to go well. Linda can be so unpredictable.”
Tom squeezed my hand. “I know. But we have everything we need. We’ll work together.”
A woman holding a man’s hand | Source: Pexels
I nodded, trying to relax. “Thanks, Tom. I really appreciate it.”
“You’re welcome, my love,” he said, giving me a reassuring smile. “Now let’s enjoy our evening and not worry about Linda for a while.”
I smiled back, feeling grateful for his support.
The wedding day soon arrived.
A bride smiling at her wedding dress | Source: Pexels
I was both excited and nervous.
While I was still in my bathrobe getting ready, Sarah burst into the room, her face pale.
“You’re not going to believe this,” she said, pulling me toward the window.
I looked outside and saw Linda in a long white wedding dress.
An elderly woman in her wedding dress | Source: Midjourney
“What the…” Okay, this is something I didn’t see coming. How dare she?
“Linda, what are you doing? You can’t wear white to my wedding!” I stormed toward her, unable to hide my fury.
“Oh, darling,” she smiled, not showing even a hint of regret. “You’re young, Alexandra. You have your whole life ahead of you. This may be my last chance to feel like a bride again. I deserve this attention.”
A smiling elderly woman in a wedding dress | Source: Midjourney
I felt my anger rising, but Tom pushed me aside. “Trust me, we’ll sort this out later,” he whispered with a mischievous smile.
“But Tom, how could she?”
“Trust me, okay?” he said, and I relented.
A newly married couple | Source: Pexels
The ceremony proceeded, with Linda sitting in the front row, basking in the spotlight. Grace had a helpless look on her face, so it was clear that Linda had gotten what she wanted.
I was boiling inside, but I trusted Tom.
As the ceremony continued, I tried to focus on the vows and the present moment. I looked at Tom, who gave me a reassuring nod. But every time I saw Linda’s smug expression, my faith in Tom’s plan wavered.
A worried bride | Source: Pexels
When it was time for the speeches, I held my breath. Linda stood up, ready to take over. But before she could speak, Tom took the microphone.
“Ladies and gentlemen, before we continue, I would like to share a special video tribute to Alexandra’s late mother.”
The lights went out, and a beautiful montage of my mother played across the screen.
A bride looking at a screen | Source: Midjourney
Photos, videos, and heartfelt messages filled the room. My eyes filled with tears, and the guests were visibly moved. Linda’s expression went from smugness to shock.
At the end of the tribute, Tom looked at me with a knowing smile. “This day is about honoring your mother and our love, Alex. No one can take that away from you.”
Then he looked at Linda. “Linda, can you join us here?” he asked.
A groom speaking into a microphone | Source: Midjourney
Linda looked smug, thinking she was going to be honored.
As she walked toward the stage, Tom continued, “Linda has always been a star in her own right, so today we decided to let her shine even brighter.”
Another slideshow began playing. The first few photos were innocent enough, showing Linda in her white dress from different angles at the wedding. But that’s when Tom’s twist came.
A happy married couple | Source: Midjourney
The next photo showed Linda sneaking into my honeymoon suite earlier that morning.
She was filmed trying on my wedding veil and twirling around a bouquet she had taken from the floral arrangements.
The room jumped and Linda’s face turned red.
She tried to stay calm, but Tom wasn’t finished.
A gray-haired woman wearing a veil | Source: Pexels
“Wait, Linda, we’re not finished,” he said, signaling to the DJ.
Suddenly, the speakers played a recording of Linda on the phone with her friend, bragging about her plan to outdo me.
“This little princess needs to learn to take her place. I’ve waited long enough for my moment,” her voice echoed through the room.
An angry elderly bride | Source: Midjourney
The crowd was stunned, and a few people even booed. Tom put his arms around me and whispered, “I told you I’d take care of this.”
But the surprise wasn’t over.
A happy newlywed couple | Source: Midjourney
Tom had arranged for Linda’s ex-husband to be the guest speaker. He took the stage, sharing stories about Linda’s past antics, showing everyone her true colors.
The result? Linda, flushed with anger and cornered, slipped from the room as quietly as she could. Tom and I shared a smile, knowing we’d taught her a lesson in her own way. She found herself in the spotlight just as she wanted, but for the wrong reasons.
An elderly woman in tears | Source: Midjourney
Have you ever had to teach someone a lesson at your wedding?
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This work is inspired by real events and people, but has been fictionalized for creative purposes. Names, characters, and details have been changed to protect privacy and enhance the story. Any resemblance to real persons, living or dead, or to actual events is purely coincidental and not intended by the author.
The author and publisher make no claims regarding the accuracy of events or character portrayals and are not responsible for any misinterpretations. This story is provided “as is,” and all opinions expressed are those of the characters and do not reflect the opinions of the author or publisher.
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