Three weeks earlier, she’d called me, crying about her car breaking down again. She’d already borrowed $1,200 from me in April for repairs. This time, she said she needed a whole new one, claiming it was urgent. I told her no, not because I didn’t have the money, but because I was tired of always being her plan B.

And honestly, she wasn’t even trying anymore—skipping classes, partying with people twice her age, telling our parents she was “finding herself.” She hung up without saying goodbye. I didn’t think she’d carry that resentment into my wedding. I gave her the benefit of the doubt, as I always did.

She waited until the toast. Right when I stood up to thank everyone for coming, to talk about love, about building a life with someone who brings you peace, Bethany stood too. For a second, I thought she was going to make a toast herself. My glass was still halfway to my mouth.