Wedding Cancelled, Empire Reclaimed

When I married a divorced man, everyone warned me that being a stepmother was a thankless, impossible role.

I refused to believe them. I poured ten years of my youth into raising his daughter, pulling her back from the edge of deep emotional withdrawal.

Until her wedding day.

Standing in her bridal gown, my stepdaughter turned toward me, flashing a brilliant, mocking smile.

"Vivian, thank you for looking after my dad and me all these years on my mom's behalf."

"Now that she's back, you can leave."

My husband hung his head, silent.