When Alexandra’s stepmother, Linda, arrived at her wedding dressed in a white gown, declaring that she deserved the spotlight, Alexandra could already feel the tension brewing. But what she didn’t anticipate was her husband’s plan to turn the situation upside down in a way that would surprise everyone.
An elderly woman surrounded by flowers | Source: Pexels
“Make sure these flowers are perfect,” Linda instructed, adjusting them with exaggerated precision. “After all, this day is for the whole family.”
I sat quietly at the table, sipping my tea and trying to stay composed. My father smiled at her, seemingly impressed. “Linda has an incredible eye for detail,” he commented. I forced a smile, “Yes, Linda, they do look great,” I replied.
Linda had entered my life when I was only ten, following my mother’s passing. She relished every chance to be the center of attention, and today, it seemed, would be no different. As she meticulously arranged each flower, I wondered what other ways she’d find to make the day about herself.
“Excited for the wedding, Dad?” I asked, attempting to steer the conversation elsewhere. He beamed, his eyes shining. “Absolutely, Alexandra. It’s going to be a beautiful day.”
Linda interrupted. “Yes, everything must be perfect. We only get a day like this once.”
I nodded, but my mind was elsewhere. I knew Linda would find a way to claim the spotlight. She always did. I recalled numerous birthdays and holidays when she found a way to outshine everyone, leaving me to fade into the background.
Linda continued her flower arrangements, her dramatic gestures only adding to my anxiety. I wanted to enjoy the wedding, but with Linda in the mix, it always felt like a challenge.
“Do you need any help, Linda?” I asked, trying to be polite. She waved me off dismissively. “No, no, I’ve got everything under control.”
“Alright,” I said, forcing a smile. “I’m going to take a break, Dad. I’ll be back shortly.”
I met up with Sarah, my best friend and maid of honor, at the wedding planner’s office. “Why does the bride look so down?” she asked, pulling me into a hug.
“I’m just nervous,” I confessed.
“Don’t be! You’re going to have the best day ever. Now, let’s get a move on, we’re running late!”
When we entered the office of Grace, the wedding planner, she glanced up from her notes, looking concerned. “Your stepmother, Linda, has requested to sit in the front row, and she insists on giving a speech during the reception, Alexandra.”
I was stunned. We had talked about this. How could she?
Sarah raised an eyebrow. “Isn’t that usually reserved for the bride’s family?”
Grace nodded. “Yes, traditionally, the front row is for the bride’s parents. Since your father will be there, and you've chosen to honor your late mother by saving her a seat, Linda technically shouldn’t be there.”
I let out a frustrated sigh. “She always finds a way to make everything about her. I bet she’s planning some grand performance!”
“We need to be ready for whatever she’s got up her sleeve,” Sarah whispered, her voice low but serious.
Grace gave me a concerned look. “How would you like to handle this, Alexandra?”
I thought for a moment. “Can we explain to her that the front row is for my mom and dad? Maybe suggest she sits in the second row instead?”
“That sounds fair,” Grace agreed. “And the speech?”
“I really don’t want her speaking. This day is about honoring my mother and celebrating my wedding. She’ll only make it about herself.”
Sarah nodded in agreement. “We can find someone else to speak. Perhaps someone from your mom’s side of the family?”
“That sounds good,” I said, feeling a bit relieved. “Let’s make sure the speeches are meaningful.”
Grace took some notes. “I’ll handle it. We’ll make sure everything stays on track.”
As we left the office, Sarah squeezed my arm. “Don’t worry, Alex. We’ve got this. Linda won’t ruin your day.”
I returned home and shared my concerns with Tom, my soon-to-be husband.
“Linda is trying to steal the spotlight,” I said, throwing my bag by the door. “She’s giving a speech and insisted on sitting in the front row.”
Tom wrapped his arms around me. “We’ll handle it together. Don’t worry.”
“It’s not just that,” I replied, pulling away from his embrace. “She keeps inserting herself into roles meant for my real mom. We want to honor her by keeping her place in the front row. I’m afraid Linda’s going to make our wedding all about her.”
Tom smiled reassuringly. “Trust me. I have a plan. Let her have her moment. It’ll all work out.”
“What kind of plan?” I asked, intrigued.
“It’s a surprise,” he said with a playful smile. “But I promise, it’ll keep the focus where it should be—on us and your mom’s memory.”
I sighed, still nervous but comforted by his confidence. “I hope so. I just want everything to go smoothly. Linda can be so unpredictable.”
Tom squeezed my hand. “I know. But we’ve got this. We’re in it together.”
On the day of the wedding, I was a mix of excitement and anxiety. As I was getting ready in my bathrobe, Sarah burst into the room, her face pale with shock.
“You won’t believe this,” she said, pulling me to the window.
I looked out and saw Linda, confidently striding out in a full-length white wedding dress.
“What the…” My mind raced. How could she?
“Linda, what do you think you’re doing? You can’t wear white to my wedding!” I rushed out to confront her, anger boiling inside me.
“Oh, darling,” she smirked. “You’re still young, Alexandra. This may be my last chance to feel like a bride. I deserve this attention.”
I could feel the rage building within me, but Tom calmly pulled me aside. “Trust me, we’ll sort this out,” he whispered, a mischievous glint in his eye.
“But Tom, how could she?” I protested.
“Trust me, okay?” he said. “We’ll handle it.”
The ceremony began, and Linda took her seat in the front row, soaking up the attention. Grace, the wedding planner, wore a helpless expression. It was clear Linda had succeeded in claiming her spot.
But I held onto my trust in Tom.
As the ceremony unfolded, I tried to focus on the vows, occasionally glancing at Tom, who gave me a reassuring nod. But every time I saw Linda’s smug face, my anxiety returned.
Then came the speeches. Linda stood up, ready to take the microphone. But before she could speak, Tom grabbed the mic.
“Ladies and gentlemen, before we continue, I’d like to share a special tribute to Alexandra’s late mother,” he announced.
The lights dimmed, and a beautiful montage of my mother played on the screen.
Photos, videos, and heartfelt messages filled the room. I wiped away a tear, moved by the tribute, while the guests were visibly touched. Linda’s smugness shifted to surprise and shock.
Once the tribute ended, Tom turned to me with a smile. “This day is about honoring your mother and our love. No one can take that away.”
He then turned to Linda. “Linda, would you join us on stage?”
Thinking she was about to be honored, Linda eagerly walked up. But Tom had other plans.
“Linda has always been a star in her own right,” he said, “so today, we decided to let her shine a little more.”
The projector flickered to life. At first, the photos seemed innocent enough—Linda in her white gown, posing around the wedding venue. But then, the twist came.
The next photo showed Linda sneaking into my bridal suite earlier that morning, trying on my wedding veil and twirling with a bouquet she had taken from the flowers.
The room gasped, and Linda’s face turned crimson.
But Tom wasn’t done.
“Wait, Linda, we’re not finished,” he said, motioning to the DJ.
Suddenly, a recording of Linda’s phone conversation played through the speakers.
“I’ve waited long enough to have my moment,” she was heard saying. “This little princess needs to know her place.”
The crowd was in shock, and a few even booed. Tom pulled me into a comforting embrace. “I told you I had it covered.”
But the surprises weren’t over.
Tom had arranged for Linda’s ex-husband to take the mic next. He shared stories from Linda’s past, exposing her antics for everyone to hear.
The result? Linda, now red-faced and humiliated, quietly slipped out of the hall. Tom and I shared a smile, knowing we had turned the tables on her. Linda had stolen the spotlight, but for all the wrong reasons.
