My husband’s close friend requested I let her hold her wedding at our place although she cut me out of the celebration the morning before that special event.

The friend of my husband selected our property to become the perfect wedding venue. It made me delighted to provide the venue free of cost for her wedding ceremony. Months were dedicated to decoration tasks and vendor coordination as I also provided assistance in creating the wedding cake. The day before the ceremony she simply UNINVITED me due to an outrageous excuse.

Standing in the backyard I observed how the place would transform into Nancy’s wedding location that would take place tomorrow. All white chairs had been perfectly arranged in rows at the oak tree facing as witnesses during the ceremony while Josh and Nancy declared their love under the rolling hills beside the shimmering lake.

• Peter and I bought the property three years ago and the place was truly unique.
• Peter stood by my side as he said “It looks incredible, Evelyn” while he brought me close to himself. The celebration will make Nancy ecstatic.
• I relaxed against him. “I really hope so. This creation has been my weekly project for months now.
• “You’ve outdone yourself. The majority of people would simply provide space rental services.
• “She’s your closest friend. The perfection of everything I made became essential because Nancy was my closest friend.

As he kissed my head he did it with great tenderness. You attract me because you consistently give priority to others.

The team members will soon arrive to perform the rehearsal. I want to confirm all our preparations.

He took my hand in a comforting way as he stated “I mean it.” “You’ve covered every detail.”

“You really believe that?”

“Absolutely… you’re incredible.”

The vehicle tires created a scratching sound that ended the peaceful atmosphere. Nancy and Josh had arrived.

“They’re here!” My heart started racing as I finished my sentence with an exclamation. The moment fills me with uncontainable desire to introduce her to everything.

Her fiancé followed Nancy from the vehicle as she stepped out of the car while showing signs of constant nervousness.

“There’s my beautiful bride!” I moved toward them while extending both arms.

She provided me with a quick stiff embrace. “The chairs are all wrong.”

I froze, surprised. “What do you mean?”

The arrangement should be in a semicircle format rather than straight rows. Didn’t you get my text?”

I quickly checked my phone. She told me without a word about the semicircle configuration.

An exaggerated heavy breath escaped her lungs. “Never mind. We can fix it. Where are the flowers?”

The chair delivery will arrive tomorrow morning in fresh condition exactly as we had designed them.

Nancy frowned. Her hope rests on their ability to achieve correct color matching this time. The test bouquet never matched up with the customer’s specifications.

Josh stood behind her while he discreetly smiled at me. Little verbal exchange occurred between us upon arrival. The driveway welcomed a delivery truck that made its way followed by a pair of more vehicles.

Nancy explained her displeasure with their delivery system by announcing to receive the flowers from the driveway. Get everything unloaded!”

She directed herself toward me as she switched into a professional demeanor. “We need to talk.”

“Of course, what’s going on?” I asked, keeping my smile.

Nancy forcefully pulled my arm to separate me from the welcoming group.

“What’s happening?” My astonishment led me to ask her for confirmation.

Her cold expression revealed itself to me for the first time. You are keeping the venue provided by you and everything is good I assure you Evelyn. The important thing you need to know is that I refuse to see you attend my wedding tomorrow.

“What?” My stunned expression showed my confusion when I heard what she said to me.

She spoke again with sharpness and distance in her voice to declare her words. “I don’t want you there.”

“I don’t get it. Why?”

She sighed in frustration. “Oh, please! You know exactly why.”

At that moment I became completely confused.

My sister asked in a harsh tone “Why no one informed you about my previous relationship with Josh?”

The news delivered a strong blow to me. A short romantic relationship with Josh during our college days finished soon after its start and we left it at that. The relationship Josh and I shared before paused forever until Nancy made the introduction at their wedding party where our conversation only amounted to basic greetings.

“That? It was nothing. Just a silly college thing from over ten years ago. The relation we had seemed casual because our time together was short and we only shared basic knowledge after college. Such a short relationship held no significance that it deserved to be mentioned.

Nancy spoke through clenched teeth with no patience for his request as she declared “I don’t care about her being there.” Tonight belongs to me and I refuse to let my ex-fiancé’s former lover come near us to create an uncomfortable situation on this day. So yeah, you’re NOT coming.”

Her statement remained suspended in the air as my thoughts struggled to understand what had just been said.

Against all of my hard work during wedding planning she was rejecting my attendance to her wedding at my own property.

“Nancy, you can’t be serious. This is my house.”

The response came with a casual hand gesture as she said “I appreciate that you are allowing its use.” The invitation to attend the wedding remains open for Peter. Just not you.”

You are thankful about all I’ve done for your wedding despite this request?

“I’m grateful, really. A discussion about this matter is not possible.

The head counselor turned her attention quickly to the delivery staff then pointed with her fingers. The team can proceed with unloading the entire delivery.

It seemed absolutely surreal when she jumped into position of command on my property after she had excluded me from the event. I stood there motionless while trying to come up with an appropriate response.

Peter placed his hand on my shoulder at that moment. His hand restored my mental awareness.

The man looked over Nancy and me as he checked in with a polite question about our situation.

After a short moment Nancy flashed her characteristic grin again. “Just some girl talk.”

I announced to him in a direct tone that she planned to keep me away from the wedding.

Peter’s body went rigid. “What?”

Nancy released a deep sigh showing her frustration before she spoke. The discovery that Josh and my ex dated causes me to feel awkward about visiting their wedding together.

Peter interrupted speaking with a strong tone of voice. You can benefit from our house at no cost but your wife has worked countless months on the wedding plans yet you still stopped her from coming to the ceremony.

Nancy displayed eye rolls and placed both hands across her chest. “Don’t be so dramatic. It’s not a big deal. Nancy expects that I respect her demand for my wedding plans without needing any special consideration from her.

Peter released a scary laugh that brought goosebumps to my entire body. Our seven years of partnership had rarely shown him in such a furious state.

You should find another venue for the wedding requirements.

Nancy’s face turned bright red with fury. “You’re JOKING, right? The wedding is tomorrow! Under the circumstances where else would I hold the event? The situation requires immediate resolution because you cannot simply ignore our presence in this way.

Peter replied in a cold tone to his girlfriend that he could really go through with it. “And I just did.”

Nancy’s face turned bright red. The kindest way to describe you both would be that you are the most selfish individuals I have ever encountered in my life. You should be thankful I gave you entrance as I recovered from everything that has happened to me. This isn’t about you! It’s about ME! You owe me this!”

Every word she spoke got increasingly louder making both the delivery team and Josh look toward her direction.

He asked with a worried expression what was happening.

“They’re kicking us out!” Nancy began to wail as tears built hastily in her eyes. Your ex’s jealousy leads them to destroy whatever they find because she’s envious.

Astonishment filled me at hearing what she declared to be true. “That’s not true! You just delivered the message that I was forbidden from attending the wedding event which takes place in my property.

Josh looked baffled. “Wait, what? Why wouldn’t Evelyn be there?”

“Because you two dated!” Nancy shot back. The information about my unwelcome status in my own wedding came exclusively from Willie who informed me first.

The shock on his face changed from puzzled to fully shocked. The brief relationship that existed freshman year seemed to bother Nancy. Before I even met you?”

“This rushed decision will not work at the eleventh hour” Nancy shouted angrily. Anger burst out of Nancy when she targeted her vitriol at Peter and me. Not just anyone understands the financial cost of wedding planning but you appear oblivious to this amount. You cannot sabotage my happy day simply because you’re resentful toward me and my wife.

Seeing it as an open-handed strike against me. “Bitter? ME?! “My entire dedication toward your wedding means nothing?”

At that moment Peter took a defensive stance by inserting his body between Nancy and myself.

“No, Nancy. You destroyed your wedding ceremony the instant you tried to mistreat my wife within her family home.

Nancy scoffed in an exaggerated way before facing Josh. “Do something!”

Josh moved uneasily while watching the floor beneath him. He made it completely clear he refused to participate in the argument.

“JOSH?!”

He proposed speaking about our issue in a calming manner with a soft and uncertain tone.

Peter spoke firmly when he declared there was nothing to discuss. “I want you off our property. NOW.”

Nancy’s face twisted with fury. “Fine! I’ll SUE you for this! You can’t do this to me! Together you will surely live to regret this decision.

“Good luck with that. Now, get off our property.”

A sudden fear rose that Nancy would hit any of us at that instant. The anger within her body made her fists squeeze tightly because she struggled to control herself.

Josh approached her gently before speaking his words. “Nancy,” he started.

The sudden twist in her tone made her ask him “Why are you on their side?” while she turned her body toward him.

“I’m not taking sides. Pelton kept his voice smooth as he responded.

Nancy hurriedly surveyed the trucks which were only halfway unloaded together with both chairs set up and the boxes containing decorations which were scattered around. I stand completely lost in front of this situation. The wedding is TOMORROW!”

A tiny shred of compassion passed through my thoughts even though I faced such treatment. The quickness of her decision to remove me from my house came back into my mind.

The situation was no longer our concern according to me.

Absolute chaos took over the next sixty minutes. She erupted in nonstop wild screaming and continuous swearing while having a violent outburst. In that instant she grabbed a tableware box from the floor while angrily tossing it toward the ground resulting in broken plates crushing the concrete at the edge of the driveway.

“You’ll regret this!” she screamed. “Both of you!”

Josh ultimately succeeded in guiding her to the car, softly saying something that seemed to calm her, at least for a moment. As they departed, the delivery team remained uncomfortably, uncertain about their next steps. 

“Return everything,” Peter commanded them. “The marriage is canceled.” 

The remainder of the day flew by as I contacted vendors to cancel orders and obtain refunds for all our arrangements. The cake, flowers, and catering were all arranged with just a few brief discussions. 

That evening, Peter and I were seated on the porch swing, looking at the wedding decorations that were partly taken down.

“I apologize,” I whispered.

He looked at me, confused. “What for?”

“For all this excitement.” “If only I had mentioned Josh to you…” 

“Hold on,” he interrupted gently. “You are not responsible for any of this.” It was a minor occurrence, and it took place long ago. Nancy revealed her true self today, and that isn’t your responsibility. 

I leaned my head against his shoulder. “Do you believe she will actually attempt to take legal action against us?” 

“Allow her to attempt,” he stated, his tone calm. “We haven’t signed any agreements.” This was a kindness for a friend… a friend who ended up not being one at all.”

“I still can’t comprehend how fast everything disintegrated.”

“Certain individuals are only kind when they achieve their desires, Evie.” “The instant you defend yourself, the facade disappears.” 

A week later, we discovered from mutual friends that Nancy and Josh had gotten married in a rushed ceremony at a nearby hotel. The pictures showed a significantly smaller occasion than the elaborate gathering initially organized at our home. 

Unexpectedly, Josh contacted Peter several days later. 

“Nancy is still feeling hurt, but I wanted to express my regret for how everything transpired.” “I ought to have expressed myself more.” 

Peter displayed the message to me but did not reply. Certain bridges, when burned, were not worth reconstructing.

Honestly, I don’t feel regret for anything that occurred. That day revealed an important lesson: never compromise your self-worth for those who wouldn’t reciprocate. 

Some might argue that we exaggerated by calling off Nancy’s wedding right before it was set to occur. However, I must say what really constitutes an overreaction is expelling someone from their own house due to a trivial college romance from years back. 

Ultimately, it wasn’t concerning that remote history with Josh. It centered around respect. And if there’s one lesson I’ve learned from this entire experience, it’s that I am worth at least that much. Everyone does.