I was sitting quietly at a table with my 5-year-old son at my sister’s wedding. Suddenly, he grabbed my arm and whispered, «Mom…

She knew it came from love, but sometimes it felt burdensome. By the way, did you tell them about Jacob’s shrimp allergy? Emily asked for confirmation, and Margaret nodded. Of course.

I’ve already informed both the wedding planner and the head chef. A special children’s menu has been prepared, so don’t worry. Jacob began immediately running his new toy car across the table.

He wasn’t particularly interested in adult conversations and tended to immerse himself in his own imaginative world. This was the same powers of concentration he had inherited from his late father. Guests were steadily arriving at the venue.

Sophia’s friends, the groom’s family, and relatives they hadn’t seen in a long time. Emily continued making social conversation while constantly keeping an eye on her son. She wanted to make sure he didn’t get bored and, more importantly, that he stayed safe.

Since the accident three years ago, Emily thought she might have become overprotective. However, having experienced losing someone she loved in an instant, protecting her remaining son had become her top priority. Today was her sister’s happy day.

If they could just get through it peacefully without incident, that would be enough. Jacob ran his red toy car while occasionally looking up at his mother with a reassured expression. He too, in his young way, understood the sadness of losing his father.

At 2 p.m., the wedding ceremony began. When the venue doors opened, first appeared the bride’s father, Emily’s stepfather, Robert. He was Margaret’s remarriage partner and Sophia’s biological father.

Emily’s relationship with him was good, but the fact that they weren’t blood-related sometimes created a subtle distance. Then all eyes focused on one point. Sophia appeared in a pure white wedding dress with beauty that seemed to have stepped out of a painting.

The dress, decorated with lace and beads, perfectly accentuated her slim figure. Sophia was the complete opposite of Emily, she was always a glamorous presence who drew everyone’s attention. Beautiful, Jacob whispered softly.

Emily, like her son, was captivated by her sister’s beauty. It wasn’t jealousy, but pure admiration. Sophia had been beautiful since childhood, and she was also sociable.

While Emily was introverted and focused on her studies, Sophia had the charm to attract people. David, the groom waiting at the altar, had tears in his eyes when he saw Sophia. At 35, he was a financier working at an investment company, tall with a trim build.

He had met Sophia at a mutual friend’s party a year ago, and their marriage had come after just six months of dating. Emily had initially worried about this sudden development, but seeing the loving way the two behaved together, she was beginning to think her concerns might have been unfounded. The minister’s words echoed through the venue.

Beloved friends, thank you for gathering today for the wedding of David Harrison and Sophia Chambers. Emily was remembering her own wedding three years ago. Her ceremony with Michael had been smaller, a warm gathering of just family and close friends.

In contrast, today’s ceremony was glamorous affair with over a hundred invited guests. Neither was better than the other, but each reflected the couple’s choice. Vows were exchanged and rings were traded.

Sophia’s voice trembled with emotion. David, I’m truly happy to have met you. I’m grateful from the bottom of my heart that we can walk through life together from now on.

David’s response was also heartfelt. Sophia, you’ve brought light into my life. No matter what difficulties arise, I promise to protect and continue loving you.

Emily wiped the corners of her eyes with her handkerchief. Next to her, her mother Margaret was also crying. Jacob seemed to sense the solemn atmosphere of the ceremony and quietly placed his toy car on his lap, watching the altar with a serious expression…