**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, effortless in stealing every ounce of attention. I was the quiet one, the background noise, the girl who never learned how to say no.
When the wedding invitation arrived, my stomach twisted. I didnt want to go. Didnt want to watch her in that white dress, hear her laughter, and feel smaller than ever. But Mum insisted: *You have to be there, Emily. Youre family.* That word*family*stung more than I cared to admit.
The venue was grand, just as Sophie wouldve wanted. Elegant roses, chandeliers glinting under soft light, flutes of champagne passed around. She walked down the aisle on Olivers armtall, composed, the man whose eyes had once been fixed only on me.
Yes, you heard right. Oliver and I were together first. We loved each other, truly. Then, one day, he vanished. No explanation. Months later, he reappearedbeside my sister. *Look at me, not her*, his glances pleaded, but I couldnt unsee the betrayal.
Oh, you actually came, Sophie said coolly when she spotted me before the ceremony. Just dont embarrass me by wearing white.
I said nothing. My dress was a muted slate bluesomething meant to blend in, to take up as little space as possible.
Sit at the back where no one will notice you, she added, waving toward the farthest corner.
My jaw clenched. Humiliation was an old friend, but this? This cut deeper.
The ceremony was flawlessvows, kiss, applause. All evening, Olivers gaze kept finding mine, heavy with unspoken words. Then came the speeches. Sophie, glowing, took the microphone:
Thank you all for being here. Friends, family even my sister, who *graciously* showed up despite our history. Funny, isnt it? You always thought youd be the one marrying Oliver. But he chose *me*.
The room went still. A few muffled coughs, shifting chairs. My face burned.
Then Oliver stood. Took the microphone from her.
Im sorry, Sophie, but I cant do this.
Silence. Sophie paled. Mum shot to her feet. Dads grip tightened around his glass.
Emily and I were together for two years, Oliver said, steady. I was going to propose. Then Sophie came to me, claiming she was pregnantthat the baby was mine.
Gasps rippled through the crowd. Sophies breath hitched.
I didnt believe her at first. But she cried, screamed, *manipulated* me into choosing her. And I I let Emily go. I believed the lie.
Oliver, stop! Sophie shrieked, but he didnt.
Turns out, there was never a baby. Just a calculated trick. She ruined what Emily and I had. And today, shes still trying to tear her down. He turned to me. I never stopped loving you.
The room erupted. Guests whispered, phones flashed. Sophie screamed, This is *my* day!
You ruined it yourself, Oliver said calmly before walking to me. 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 pulse roared in my ears.
Sophie stormed out, hurling her bouquet at a bewildered guest. Mum chased after her. Dad sat frozen.
And I? I just cried. But for the first time in years, they werent tears of painthey were relief.
The wedding collapsed. Sophie vanishedblocked numbers, deleted profiles. Rumours swirled: shed fled to Spain, or was holed up somewhere, recovering from the fallout.
I didnt celebrate her pain. But I *breathed* again.
Oliver didnt push. He simply stayedtexts, calls, notes left at my door: *Im here when youre ready.*
Then, one morning, I opened the door. He stood there with my favourite coffee.
Fancy a walk?
I nodded.
We strolled like we had all the time in the world. No grand speeches, no begging. Just him, steady beside me. Like he always shouldve been.
Six months later, I landed a job at a publishing house, even had a short story printed in *Cosmopolitan*. I wasnt Sophies shadow anymoreI was *Emily*.
Oliver proposed by the lake where wed shared our first kiss.
No more lies, he said. Just us. Are you ready?
I looked into his eyes and smiled.
Yes.
Life breaks you. But sometimes, if youre brave enough to reach for it, it hands you a second chance.
I was forgotten. Overlooked. But now? Im a woman who loves, whos loved, who walks in the light.
And Ill never be invisible again.
