On my wedding day, I found the main table replaced — 9 seats taken by my husband’s family while my parents were left standing.

Victor frowned immediately. “Elena.”

I kept smiling.

“Now.”….

Part 2
The planner handed me the microphone as carefully as if it might explode in her hands. Victor grabbed my wrist tightly.

“What are you doing?” he hissed under his breath.

I lowered my eyes to his hand until he slowly let go.

Celeste laughed brightly, poison wrapped in elegance. “Oh, let her speak. Maybe she wants to thank us for accepting her.”

Victor’s cousins snickered. His uncle lifted his phone, already recording.

Perfect.

I stepped onto the small stage beside the wedding cake. The ballroom dissolved into glittering chandeliers, flowers, and rows of waiting faces. My parents still stood near the wall, trying desperately to make themselves invisible.