Chapter 1 - The Perfect Facade
Daniel and I were the kind of siblings who survived childhood by leaning on each other.
When our parents struggled to keep the lights on, we shared a cramped room and split single portions of pasta.
As adults, we remained fiercely loyal to one another.
If my car broke down, Daniel was there with a toolbox in ten minutes.
If he went through a terrible breakup, I showed up at his door with a pint of ice cream and terrible reality television.
Two years ago, he introduced me to his new girlfriend, Vanesa.
She was stunningly beautiful, armed with a flawless smile and a wardrobe that belonged in a magazine.
When she walked into a room, every single person turned to look at her.
At first, I honestly adored her.
She seemed genuinely interested in my graphic design career and always remembered to bring treats for my dog, Coco.
But as the months passed, the shiny veneer started to crack.
I noticed her making sharp, controlling comments about Daniel’s diet and the clothes he chose to wear.
She would pull him aside and whisper harshly if he told a joke she deemed inappropriate for her pristine image.
Whenever we made family plans, Vanesa would force a last-minute change just to ensure everything revolved around her preferences.
I kept my mouth shut because Daniel looked happier than he had been in years.
Then came the grand wedding announcement.
They gathered the family at an expensive restaurant, and Vanesa proudly flashed a massive diamond ring.
I hugged my brother, genuinely thrilled that he had found someone he wanted to spend his life with.
The celebration felt perfect until Vanesa pulled me into the restaurant's lavish bathroom.
She handed me a thick, perfectly bound folder with my name printed in gold foil.
She told me it was my official bridesmaid contract.
I opened it and saw a strict list of demands, including a mandatory diet plan for all bridesmaids to ensure we looked uniform in photos.
She also demanded I cover up the small, meaningful tattoo I had gotten in memory of our late grandmother.
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When I refused and walked out to tell Daniel, his reaction made my blood run cold.
He looked me dead in the eye and told me to just stop being so difficult and do exactly what Vanesa ordered.
