Dylan, Graham\u2019s younger brother, was always a source of conflict\u2014disrespectful, arrogant, and continually pushing boundaries. But his actions on our wedding day were inexcusable. He embarrassed me in front of everyone, ruining my most lovely moment. Graham had enough\u2014it was the final blow.<\/p>\n
It felt like an imperfect fairy tale when Graham and I started dating. Unpredictable and full of surprises and emotions.<\/p>\n
Our first date made me cry. Not his fault, but because I was late and everything went wrong. I ran into the restaurant, breathless and embarrassed.<\/p>\n
I cried as I explained the standstill traffic, the coffee that spilled over my top, and the shoe that broke as I sprinted across the street. Graham sat silent and unsure what to say.<\/p>\n
We finished the meal, but he didn\u2019t call afterward. The week passed without anything. I thought my tumultuous entrance scared him away.<\/p>\n
Luck reunited us at a friend\u2019s gathering. I had the confidence to tell him I was naturally emotional, maybe too much. To my astonishment, he seemed unfazed. He admitted being the same.<\/p>\n
After that party six years ago, we were inseparable. Graham cried with me during emotional animal movies. He was mine. I knew I was his.<\/p>\n
We did not linger. We lived together after three months of dating. We were comfortable, pleased, and unhurried for six years. The wedding was never scheduled. It was constantly delayed because Graham or I were going through something more important.<\/p>\n
Graham proposed eight months ago. He planned the proposal so well that I didn\u2019t see it coming, making it more romantic. Not that I needed the ring or ceremony to want him forever.<\/p>\n
No relationship is flawless, and his family was our particular issue. More specifically, Dylan, his younger brother.<\/p>\n
Dylan was bad. Condescending, dismissive, and annoyingly pompous. He pretended to be superior to everyone, especially Graham.<\/p>\n
Dylan always reminded Graham who the \u201colder and wiser\u201d brother was, even though they were only three years apart.<\/p>\n
The first time we met was unforgettable. Graham brought me to his parents\u2019 house, where Dylan\u2014a mature adult\u2014still lived. He wasn\u2019t as impressive as he believed.<\/p>\n
Things started well. Our interactions were courteous and friendly. But then I excused myself to use the restroom, and Dylan was waiting outside the door.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou bored yet?\u201d he inquired, grinning boldly.<\/p>\n
I froze partially. \u201cNo, I\u2019m alright,\u201d I responded, maintaining my tone nice yet firm.<\/p>\n
He chuckled. \u201cLet\u2019s leave. Have some fun.\u201d<\/p>\n
I retreated somewhat. \u201cReally, I\u2019m okay,\u201d I said, my stomach twisting.<\/p>\n
Tilting his head, he leaned in. A woman like you doesn\u2019t deserve my brother.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou\u2019d have a much better time with me,\u201d he said. His words were gentle, but his gaze were unsettlingly chilly.<\/p>\n
He put one arm around my waist before I could retreat. He groped me with his hand.<\/p>\n
Let me go! I yelled, pushing him away and running back into the dining room, my pulse racing.<\/p>\n
Graham\u2019s face brightened up as I approached, but I smiled weakly and grabbed my stomach. Not feeling well. Can we leave?<\/p>\n
He rose promptly. \u201cSure.\u201d<\/p>\n
His parents seemed worried as we parted. \u201cIt was so nice meeting you, Elise,\u201d his mother replied gently.<\/p>\n
Graham looked worriedly at me when we got in the car. Did you eat something that made you sick?<\/p>\n
I inhaled slowly. Dylan moved on me, I said.<\/p>\n
Graham tightened his steering wheel grip. \u201cWhat? That jerk\u2014<\/p>\n
His jaw tightened. \u201cI\u2019ll talk to him.\u201d<\/p>\n
Dylan brushed off Graham\u2019s confrontation, saying he was \u201cjust testing me\u201d like a protective elder brother. Whether touching me like that is justified. I doubted him, but Graham didn\u2019t press the subject.<\/p>\n
I sometimes wondered if Graham feared Dylan. Dylan bullied and degraded him as a child.<\/p>\n
Graham felt inferior to him for years, but he attempted to stay cordial out of habit.<\/p>\n
Dylan\u2019s actions eventually got Graham\u2019s attention.<\/p>\n
The texts started. Inappropriate. Gross. Unwanted photographs. Evil, humiliating things. I blocked his number immediately.<\/p>\n
Graham agreed immediately when I informed him Dylan shouldn\u2019t be at our wedding.<\/p>\n
Graham returned home exhausted soon after. Dropping on the couch, his shoulders sagged.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat\u2019s wrong?\u201d Sitting beside him, I inquired.<\/p>\n
Rubbing his temples. Talked to my folks. Dylan must be invited or they won\u2019t come.\u201d<\/p>\n
My chest ached sharply. \u201cThat\u2019s unfair,\u201d I added, stiffening my hands.<\/p>\n
\u201cI know,\u201d he murmured, staring at the floor.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat he\u2019s done to me\u2026 Why don\u2019t they care about his harassment and vile messages? My voice broke.<\/p>\n
Graham didn\u2019t reply. Dejected, he sat.<\/p>\n
I sighed heavily. \u201cFine. I choked on my words, \u201cWe\u2019ll invite him.\u201d<\/p>\n
Graham\u2019s head snapped. Are you sure?<\/p>\n
\u201cWe have few options. But your folks better keep him away from me. At all.\u201d<\/p>\n
He embraced me. \u201cYou\u2019re amazing,\u201d he whispered.<\/p>\n
The big day arrived. Joy filled my heart. My long-awaited moment has arrived. Finally, I was marrying my soulmate. I felt unstoppable. Not even Dylan could destroy today.<\/p>\n
Or so I thought.<\/p>\n
My bridesmaids fixed my gown and hair in the chapel bridal suite while I stood in front of the mirror. Everything was wonderful. Dress, veil, makeup.<\/p>\n
Knocking followed.<\/p>\n
I smiled, expecting the wedding planner.<\/p>\n
Instead, Dylan was in front of me.<\/p>\n
You\u2019re doing what? He hoisted a bucket and spilled it on me before I could finish asking.<\/p>\n
A chilly, sticky liquid soaked my skin, clothes, and hair.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is for turning me down, witch,\u201d he growled.<\/p>\n
Screamed. The overwhelming paint scent hit me first. My gown\u2019s white satin soaked up bright green paint from my arms.<\/p>\n
You insane? Angered and s.h.o.c.k., I yelled.<\/p>\n
Dylan laughed, eyes shiny, and calmly closed the door in my face.<\/p>\n
I broke down on the chair, crying. My bridesmaids ran toward me, horrified.<\/p>\n
\u201cOh my God,\u201d someone exclaimed.<\/p>\n
\u201cGet some towels,\u201d another shouted, snatching tissues and rags.<\/p>\n
They tried to wipe away the paint, but it was absorbed into the fabric. There was no hope.<\/p>\n
Bridesmaid Stacy grabbed me by the shoulders. Stay here. Any white dress will do.\u201d Out the door, she ran.<\/p>\n
I cried more than ever, burying my face in my hands. Not meant to happen. I carefully selected my wedding dress. I imagined myself walking down the aisle in it a thousand times. It was ruined.<\/p>\n
My hair was green with paint stuck to it. The girls quickly pinned it to cover the disarray behind my veil.<\/p>\n
One muttered, \u201cIt\u2019s okay.\u201d
\n\u201cWe\u2019ll clean it later,\u201d another whispered.<\/p>\n
The ceremony was delayed. Stacy hadn\u2019t returned. Time slowed painfully. My bridesmaids wandered the room, checking their phones and seeming apprehensive.<\/p>\n
Next, the door flew open. Stacy returned breathless and red-faced with a stunning white outfit.<\/p>\n
\u201cDylan told everyone you ran away,\u201d she rushed. \u201cGraham panics.\u201d<\/p>\n
Heart fell. \u201cHE SAID WHAT?!<\/p>\n
Stacy nods. \u201cPeople whisper. Graham seemed to be fainting.\u201d<\/p>\n
Something snapped inside me. I rose up, removed my veil, and let my green-stained hair fall. Room went quiet.<\/p>\n
I stormed the chapel without speaking.<\/p>\n
As I came down the aisle in my paint-stained attire, gasps echoed. Guests whispered while watching.<\/p>\n
Graham stood pale and paralyzed at the altar.<\/p>\n
\u201cI didn\u2019t flee!\u201d I shouted, breaking the hush.<\/p>\n
His head turned swiftly. Elise? he gasped, running to me.<\/p>\n
He embraced me. Refused more tears.<\/p>\n
\u201cDylan did this,\u201d I said. \u201cHe painted me. I informed everyone I left.\u201d<\/p>\n
Graham\u2019s face became hard. He faced the pews. \u201cDylan! What\u2019s wrong with you?!<\/p>\n
Dylan smirked while relaxing. \u201cIt was harmless prank.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThat\u2019s no prank!\u201d Graham snapped. Each person is shaken. You ruined everything!\u201d<\/p>\n
Dylan said, \u201cGeez, calm down, bro,\u201d smugly.<\/p>\n
I\u2019m no longer young. You can\u2019t meddle with my life.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cAnd yet I\u2019m still here,\u201d Dylan mocked.<\/p>\n
\u201cNot for long,\u201d I roared. \u201cLeave.\u201d<\/p>\n
I was invited. He responded, \u201cI\u2019m staying,\u201d crossing his arms.<\/p>\n
Graham moved forward. \u201cLeave. Now. Or I\u2019ll remove you.\u201d<\/p>\n
Their mother stood up. Graham, he\u2019s your brother.<\/p>\n
Graham faced her, calmly firm. You can depart if you support him after this.\u201d<\/p>\n
She paused. Her face paled. She eventually remained silent.<\/p>\n
Their parents remained mute. They snatched Dylan and departed without saying a thing.<\/p>\n
Graham looked back at me, softening. He rested his forehead on mine.<\/p>\n
\u201cI was so scared,\u201d he muttered.<\/p>\n
Let the tension go with a gentle breath. \u201cThank you for defending me.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cAlways,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Dylan, Graham\u2019s younger brother, was always a source of conflict\u2014disrespectful, arrogant, and continually pushing boundaries. But his actions on our wedding day were inexcusable. He embarrassed me in front of everyone, ruining my most lovely moment. Graham had enough\u2014it was the final blow. It felt like an imperfect fairy tale when Graham and I started […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-30726","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/newzdiscover.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/30726","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/newzdiscover.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/newzdiscover.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/newzdiscover.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/newzdiscover.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=30726"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/newzdiscover.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/30726\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":30727,"href":"https:\/\/newzdiscover.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/30726\/revisions\/30727"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/newzdiscover.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=30726"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/newzdiscover.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=30726"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/newzdiscover.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=30726"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}