Behind the White Dress

In the fifth year of my spiritual practice, my phone suddenly exploded with messages.

[Aria, why aren't you replying? Are you really that petty?]

Puzzled, I opened Messenger, and froze. My cousin, who never seemed to measure up to me and always went out of her way to oppose me, was getting married, and she expected me to attend.

"Sorry, I've been busy lately. I won't be able to make it," I replied politely.

However, my courteous response only fueled their ridicule.

"Stop pretending! You haven't kept in touch with your family for years. Are you too embarrassed because your life is such a mess?"

"She won't even come to her own cousin's wedding? How heartless!"

"Let me guess, the real reason she can't come is she can't afford a wedding gift."

One cutting remark after another appeared, until Betty Stewart stepped in, feigning concern.

"Come on, don't be so harsh on Aria. We're family, after all."

"If she's really struggling, I could ask my husband to help her get a cleaning job."

Then she sent me the digital invitation, the gold lettering gleaming.

When I saw the groom's name, my pupils constricted in shock.

Joseph Clark?

Wasn't he the short-lived husband who had spent three years sucking up to me just to extend his life?

I was just about to set my phone aside when a message from Joseph Clark buzzed in.

[Hey there, wifey. Missing me yet?]

[Don't push yourself too hard with your spiritual practices, okay? That lucky charm you gave me? I've been keeping it close all the time.]

His message, dripping with sweetness, made my heart sink.

Up until that day, I had been convinced that my husband was the world's most hopeless romantic. He was always so full of love for me, constantly checking in, sharing every little detail of his day.

However, in a mere moment, it all turned into a cruel joke.

I packed my bags in a daze and headed to the wedding hotel.

As I stepped into the banquet hall, my eyes immediately found Betty Stewart, radiant in her white wedding gown.

She was the center of attention, encircled by relatives.

The relatives were fawning over her, their faces plastered with ingratiating grins.

"Betty, you've always been more mature than Aria, and now, you've made such a splendid match. You've really made us proud!"

"Absolutely! The Clarks is one of the most prestigious families around, and Joseph's a real go-getter. You'll have to look out for us now!"

"Betty's always been bright and quick-witted. I knew she was destined for big things."

"Please, you're making me blush," Betty purred, her head dipped in feigned modesty, but her lips betrayed a triumphant smile.

"Joseph has been wonderful, indeed. The wedding venue alone set us back over a hundred and fifty thousand dollars."

A collective gasp rippled through the crowd, eyes wide with surprise and envy.

"A hundred and fifty thousand dollars?! Wow, talk about a lavish affair..."

"Joseph promised me the