When Dad called to invite my 12-year-old brother and me to his wedding, I figured the hardest part would be standing there, watching him marry the woman who tore our family apart. Her name was Dana — the woman he left our mother for. I thought I’d grit my teeth, smile politely, and survive the day. I had no idea my quiet little brother was planning something unforgettable.
I’m Tessa, 25, barely holding adulthood together. My brother Owen was the gentlest soul — until Dad cheated on Mom with Dana, his coworker. Mom had come home with a new houseplant and caught them together in the kitchen. The pot shattered when it hit the ground. So did Mom. She tried to hold on — therapy, long letters, desperate prayers — but Dad left anyway. Moved in with Dana within weeks. Owen once asked, “Does Dad love her more than us?” I had no answer.