**Diary Entry**
*This is yet to be seen…*
No! As long as were living in this madhouse with your mum and Emily, there wont be any wedding!
Katie, must you be so blunt? We could rent the dresstheres still time. Or we could postpone it if you want Cant we just talk this through? Thomas sighed.
You dont understand, Katie crossed her arms. Its not about the dress. Its about feeling like Im in a warzone here. Your sisters practically grown, yet she acts like a spoiled brat. And honestly, your mothers to blame for most of it.
Thomas didnt like her tone, though deep down, he knew she had a point. Somehow, Margaret had turned Emily against Katiewhether by accident or design.
Theyd met at university. Things moved slowly because neither had their own placeThomas still lived with his family, insisting it was just more convenient.
Ive got Grans old flat, but Mum rents it out for now. When we need it, well fix it up, hed say.
A year later, they *did* need it. Thomas decided it was time to take the next stepboth had graduated, found jobsno reason to wait.
Well stay with Mum a few months, then marry and move out, hed said cheerfully. Six months, tops.
Katie had been thrilled at first. It sounded serious, mature. But then doubt crept intheyd never lived together, and now shed be thrust straight into the lions den with her future mother-in-law. Would it ruin them?
Nearly.
Margaret wasnt the typical overbearing mother-in-law. She cooked for everyone, even offered to help with the wedding. No screaming matches, no demands. The problem lay elsewhere.
Her parenting style was unique. Emily, her youngest, was spoiled rotten and needed firm handlingbut Margaret swung between harsh and indifferent.
One evening, Katie overheard them arguing. Margaret was flipping through Emilys schoolbook, scowling.
Another fail? Was the poem *that* hard? She pinched the bridge of her nose. Rightgive me your phone and tablet. No screens until youve memorised it. And the tablet stays gone until you pull your grades up.
Emily rolled her eyes.
Fine. Ill just borrow Thomass.
Margaret smirked. You think hell always be there? Hell have his own family soonyoull be the last thing on his mind.
*This is yet to be seen!* Emily slammed the gadgets on the table and stormed off.
The door rattled in its frame. Katie glanced awkwardly at Margaret, feeling like shed witnessed something private.
Margaret, that was a bit harsh she ventured.
She needs to learn. Life isnt all sweets and holidays.
That lesson backfired spectacularly.
Katie had noticed Emily avoiding herskipping meals, leaving early. At first, she thought it was shyness. Then came the pranks: hiding the AC remote in a heatwave, ruining Katies makeup. When Thomas finally installed a lock after Katie begged, Emily threw a fit.
How am I supposed to do my homework now? she shrieked.
Youll use the computer under supervision, Thomas said calmly.
You never locked things before!
Before, I lived alone. And you never went through my things.
I didnt! Katies lying! I *hate* her!
She locked herself in her room, sobbing. Katie didnt know what to thinkshe loathed the girls behaviour but didnt want to escalate things.
Shes just a kid, Thomas would say.
Shes *twelve*, Katie snapped. Tom, cant we just rent somewhere?
Its only a few more months. Mum says well be out by then.
Four months. To Thomas, nothing. To Katie, an eternity.
She tried bondingbringing chocolates, asking about school. Emily would mutter fine, snatch the sweets, and vanish. Things only worsened.
One morning, rushing to work, Katie realised her keys had vanished from her bag. She *knew* where theyd gone. Margaret retrieved them after a row, but the damage was done.
Then came the final straw.
The night of the wedding rehearsal, chaos reignedlast-minute calls, decorating the car. Katie went to admire her dress only to find it shredded. *Emily.*
Her hands shook. Words failed hershe just dragged Thomas to the wardrobe, where his mothers shrieks erupted.
You little *brat*! Do you know what this cost? Youll pay for every penny!
Emily was grounded, but the dressand Katies patiencewere beyond repair.
Katie, just sleep on it Thomas began.
No. Either we live separately, or we dont live together at all. She exhaled. Im done waiting for your mother to hand over *your* flat. Done with your sister rifling through my things. Relationships take workbut not like *this*. Im not even your wife yet, and Im exhausted.
She packed her charger, hunted for her passport.
Where are you going? The renovations almost
She didnt listen. Every excuse sounded hollow now.
She spent the night at her friends, crying, but the anger lingered. Yesterday, shed been a happy bride. Now? She didnt know where she belonged.
Thomas called a hundred times. On the third day, she answered.
Katie, this is awful. Were all in shock. But dont throw *us* away. Well buy another dresstoday. Just dont leave.
She hesitated. Thomas *was* a good mankind, gentle. Just too soft. She loved him. But
If we marry, its on *my* terms.
Which are?
Just us at the registry. No family help, no crowd. Well host a dinner latersmall, close friends only. And we *rent*. I wont guard my things like a prison warden.
Silence. Harsh? Maybe. But she wouldnt bend.
Alright.
The wedding was quietjust them, a photographer, then three days in the countryside. No fuss, no drama.
Thomass family sulked. Katie didnt care. This day wasnt for themespecially not those whod made her life hell.
At the dinner, Emily sat meeklylikely scolded into silence. Katie didnt call it a win. Shed never wanted a war. But if this was the price of peace? So be it.
Emily might be a child. Margaret might mean well. But some borders were best left closed.
