My Family Gave My Wedding to My Sister

The wedding I had meticulously planned was happening, but the bride was my sister. With only 3 hours left until the ceremony, I sat in the dressing room, waiting for my sister, Lily Davis, to bring me my wedding veil. She had left in a hurry, leaving her phone on the vanity. When the screen lit up, I noticed a strange group chat. It was called "For Lily's Wedding". The latest message was from Mom. Mom: Is Raven still in the dressing room? Don't let her come out. Edwin's brother replied quickly. Cedric: Don't worry, Mrs. Davis. I'm heading over right now to stall her. Mom sent another message. Mom: Lily has suffered so much since childhood. We owe her this wedding to make up for it. Raven has everything, so she won't mind. Immediately after, she tagged everyone. Mom: The ceremony will be over in 30 minutes. Nobody say a word. Below was a row of familiar profile pictures. My uncle, my cousin, Edwin's parents, and the bridesmaids I had personally invited. Everyone replied with an "okay". I stared at those words, a chill crept into my fingers. My wedding was supposed to be in 3 hours, yet the wedding they prepared for Lily would be over in 30 minutes. Since that was the case, there was no need to go through with this wedding that never belonged to me. Messages kept popping up. One wedding photo in particular caught my eye, sharp and stinging. In the picture, she was wearing my wedding veil, standing under a floral arch by the sea. Edwin Sterling was down on one knee, solemnly taking her hand. Footsteps suddenly echoed outside the door, pulling me back to reality. Edwin's brother, Cedric Sterling, knocked on the door, his tone as gentle as usual. "Raven, the photographer wants to shoot a first look," he said. "Edwin wants you to go ahead and take yours first, and he'll be right over." I didn't answer. It was quiet outside the door for a few seconds before Cedric knocked twice more. "Raven, did you hear me?" I looked at myself in the mirror. My eyeliner was perfectly steady, and my lipstick wasn't smudged, but my eyes had welled up entirely. Unable to wait for an answer, Cedric simply pushed the door open and walked in. He was holding a bouquet of roses. "Raven, why aren't you ready yet?" he asked. He froze for a moment when he saw my glistening eyes, then let out a teasing laugh. "No way. You're just taking some pictures, and you're already crying? You really love Edwin too much." I stared at him without saying a word. He walked closer and placed the flowers on the table. "The photographer is waiting by the beach. Come with me and take some solo shots first. Edwin will be here soon." His wrist was exposed, revealing a silver watch I was familiar with. I was the one who gave it to him. Three years ago, Cedric graduated from college. On the day he received his job offer, he excitedly ran over to my house, rushing up to me and calling me his sister-in-law over and over. I wasn't married to Edwin back then. I had spent a long time picking out that watch. When I handed it to him, Edwin was sitting on the couch looking at his phone. He glanced up and frowned instantly. "Cedric just graduated. He doesn't need such an expensive watch." I told him it was just a graduation gift. Cedric, however, had clutched the watch to his chest, his eyes shining brightly as he thanked me and promised to remember my kindness for the rest of his life. I remembered the sunlight from that day. I also remembered how Edwin later lectured me in the kitchen for wasting money, claiming that Cedric was just his brother, not his son. I didn't argue back. At the time, I treated Cedric like my own younger brother. I had revised his resume, helped him rent an apartment, and drove him to the hospital in the middle of the night when he had a fever. He treated me like family, so I treated him the same. Yet now he stood in front of me, stalling me for Edwin. That watch sat snugly against his wrist, its hands still ticking accurately, but the man wearing it had changed completely. "I'm not going," I said. The smile on Cedric's face faltered. "Stop joking around, Raven." "Tell Edwin to come here." "He's a bit tied up right now." "With what?" He opened his mouth, probably not expecting me to ask. He quickly softened his tone. "It's a destination wedding, and it's bad luck for the groom to show up early. You know the schedule. We take pictures first, and he'll show up for the ceremony." "Fine," I said. Cedric clearly let out a sigh of relief. I watched him relax before adding my next words. "If he doesn't come, then the wedding is off." The color drained from his face instantly. "Raven, don't be like this," he pleaded. "Go get him." "Edwin really has things to do." "Go get him." Cedric tightened his grip on the bouquet. He snapped the stems of the baby's breath, squeezing out a bit of damp green sap. He clearly wanted to say something else but ultimately just forced a smile. "Okay, I'll go get Edwin," he said. He turned and left, his footsteps much faster than when he arrived. The room fell quiet again once the door clicked shut. Lily's phone buzzed once more. I glanced down to see a new message pop up in the group. Cedric: Raven is acting really strange. I think she knows. What do we do?