My name is Natasha, and life with my fiancé, Emmet, has been wonderful. We’d been together for three years when Emmet proposed, and I was thrilled. After the death of my father, who left me an inheritance with a note to use part of it for my wedding, planning our big day became bittersweet but beautiful.

We announced our engagement three weeks ago, only for Emmet’s brother, Adam, to announce his wedding just two weeks later. The suddenness was surprising, especially as they had recently asked us for a loan. We attended the wedding at an extravagant restaurant, the most expensive in the city, filled with lobster, filet mignon, and champagne.

During dessert, Nancy, Adam’s fiancée, turned to me and sweetly demanded I cover the $3,000+ dinner. She insisted it was an “amazing present” given my inheritance. Shocked and embarrassed, I calmly refused, stating, “Emmet and I will pay for ourselves. Next time, either choose a place within your budget or warn us ahead of time.”

The room fell silent. Nancy’s face flushed with shock, while Emmet looked supportive. I discreetly arranged for us to pay for our own meals and saw the guests’ confusion as they realized they had to cover their own bills. The tension escalated, and some guests, annoyed, left early.

Later, Nancy apologized, admitting they were out of line. I accepted her apology, hoping we could move past it.

Our wedding day arrived a few months later. It was everything we dreamed of, filled with genuine joy and love from those who truly cared. The ceremony was heartfelt, and the reception was a celebration of our commitment. Emmet and I danced the night away, surrounded by support and happiness, despite the earlier tension with Adam and Nancy.

As we stood under the stars, Emmet said, “This is perfect.” I agreed, feeling content and ready to face our future together.