**Diary Entry**
I never thought my own sister would humiliate me in front of everyone at her wedding. My name is Emily. Im 29, the older sister of Sophiethe one who was always the golden child. Growing up, I was the quiet one, the responsible one, until Sophie was born. Then, suddenly, I became invisibleovershadowed by her charm, her laughter, her effortless way of stealing every spotlight.
Sophie always knew how to draw attention. She had a presence that filled the room, while I was just there. Easy to overlook, too soft to push back. When her wedding invitation arrived, my stomach twisted. I didnt want to go. I didnt want to see her in that white dress, hear her triumphant laughter, or play the fool again. But Mum insisted.
You have to be there, Emily. Youre family.
That wordfamilycut deeper than Id expected.
The wedding was held in a grand hall in Londonluxurious, just as Sophie had dreamed. Crystal chandeliers, towering floral arrangements, champagne flutes clinking. She walked down the aisle on our fathers arm, beaming at Thomas, her groom. Tall, confident, with those same warm eyes that had once looked only at me.
Yes, you heard right. Thomas and I had been together. Truly in love. Then, one day, he vanished without a word. Months later, he reappearedbeside Sophie.
Look at me, not herthats what I saw in his glances back then.
Oh, youre here, Sophie said coolly when she spotted me before the ceremony. Just dont even think about wearing white.
I stayed silent. My dress was a muted navyplain, unnoticeable. The kind that wouldnt steal her thunder.
Sit at the back, she added, nodding toward a corner. Out of the way.
My jaw clenched. Humiliation was an old friend, but thisthis was sharper.
The ceremony went flawlesslyvows, kiss, applause. All evening, I caught Thomas staring at me, his expression unreadable. Then came the toasts. Sophie took the microphone, glowing.
Thank you all for coming, she began. Friends, family even my sister, who somehow managed to show up despite our history. After all, Emily, you were the one who wanted to marry Thomas, werent you? But he chose me.
The room went still. A few shocked gasps, awkward glances. My face burned. I wanted the floor to swallow me whole.
Then, Thomas stood. He took the microphone from Sophie, his voice steady.
Sorry, Sophie. But I cant stay quiet anymore.
Silence. Sophie paled. Mum shot to her feet. Dads grip tightened on his glass.
Emily and I were together, Thomas said. For two years. We had plans. I was going to propose.
He looked straight at me, pain in his eyes.
Then Sophie showed up at my flat. Said she was pregnant. That it was mine.
A murmur rippled through the crowd. Sophie gasped.
I didnt believe her at first. But she cried, screamed, demanded I do the right thing. So I I left Emily. I believed Sophies lie.
Thomas, stop! Sophie shrieked.
I found out the truth recently, he continued. There was never a baby. Just a calculated lie to tear us apart. And today, at this wedding, shes still trying to hurt Emilythe woman I never stopped loving.
Dead silence.
I wont go through with this. Im not marrying you, Sophie.
Chaos erupted. Guests gasped, phones came out, some tried to calm him down. Sophie stood frozen, then exploded.
You cant do this! This is my day!
You ruined it yourself, Thomas said quietly.
Then he walked to me. Stood beside me, openly, in front of everyone.
Emily, forgive me. I was weak. But if youll let me Ill spend the rest of my life making it right.
I couldnt speak. My heart raced, my hands trembled. It felt surreal.
Sophie stormed out, hurling her bouquet at a guest. Mum chased after her. Dad just stared at the floor.
And I? I cried. But not from painfrom relief.
The wedding collapsed. Sophie vanishedblocked me, deleted her socials. Rumours said shed fled to Spain or was recovering from a breakdown. I didnt gloat. But for the first time in years, I breathed freely.
Thomas didnt push. He just stayed closetexted, called, left notes at my door: *Im here. When youre ready.*
Then, one morning, I opened the door. He stood there, holding my favourite coffee.
Fancy a walk? he asked.
I nodded.
We strolled along the Thames, slow, unhurried. No grand speeches, no begging. Just him, beside me, like he used to be.
And that was enough.
Six months later, I started a job at a publishing house, even had a short story printed in *Cosmopolitan*. I wasnt Sophies shadow anymorejust Emily.
Thomas stayed. Not out of guilt, but because he wanted to.
He proposed by the Serpentine, where wed shared our first kiss.
No more lies, he said. Just us. Are you ready?
I looked into his eyesand smiled.
Yes.
Life can shatter you. But it can also give you a second chance.
I was forgotten. Humiliated. Left behind.
Now? Im loved. Im seen.
And Ill never be invisible again.
