To test his bride, the rich groom dressed up in a shabby suit and arrived at the wedding in an old junk car. The bride’s reaction shocked everyone

I’m a terrible daughter. I am unable to learn properly, earn money or get married. From that day on, Melanie didn’t just work part-time at the family store.

She started trying harder than ever. She worked with Greta for several days and Rebecca for several days. She only took one day off per week.

Melanie served customers in the store, sorted and steamed clothes in the warehouse, dressed mannequins and monitored the size grid of the most popular models. But most importantly, she took on the responsibility of promoting the store on the internet, which Vanessa used to do alone. Melanie didn’t understand marketing or PR, but her strong desire to bring the family business back to its former level was stronger than her doubts.

She began actively maintaining the store’s social media page, posting photos of clothing, describing product characteristics and answering customer questions. Vanessa saw how hard her daughter was trying, how politely she communicated with customers, how she got into all the intricacies of working with the cash register. Despite all the sad events in their family lately, mum was happy about this belated adulthood.

Melanie no longer sent a thousand and one voice messages to her friends, no longer endlessly scrolled through the newsfeed, no longer snorted at every request and spent her only day off with her father. Vanessa regretted insisting on Melanie’s hasty marriage, not letting her date this guy and not getting to know his parents. Then the marriage seemed to her like the perfect solution to knock all the nonsense out of her daughter’s head and turn her into a serious person.

First there would be responsibility for the family and then God willing for the child. How wrong she was, thinking that someone could fix someone. No, only a person can fix himself or circumstances.

Several more months passed and Nicholas began to gradually feel the left side of his body. Full recovery was still a long way off but this fact was already incredible happiness in Melanie’s family. The efforts of the doctors and Vanessa’s care paid off.

The woman was thrilled but at the same time she realised with sadness, would Melanie have changed for the better if such trouble had not come to their home? One Monday Melanie and Greta were working at the store. The morning was unhurried with no customers yet. The girls were picking out outfits for the mannequins and laughing.

An elderly woman walked into the store and smiled sweetly. The sales people answered almost in unison. How good that you work from nine.

I’ve already had insomnia for a few nights. I wake up at five in the morning. I don’t know what to do with myself.

I’ve decided to go for a walk, find what I need and calm down. What would make you feel better? A blouse, a dress or a warm cardigan? Greta approached the customer and stopped not far from the woman. You know, I have a problem.

I need to pick out a dress for a wedding. The size is XXL. I already looked for a dress yesterday here next to you.

The woman nodded her head towards the neighbouring shopping centre but they offered me all dark colours. Please tell me what kind of dress styles do you usually wear? What would you like to show off and what to cover up? The elderly woman laughed. Oh girls, at your age you need to open everything.

You’re young and slim but at my age it’s better to cover up. I want something light and pleasant. After all, my only grandson is getting married.

If you find a dress with a light wrap I will be happy. The saleswoman showed the elderly woman all the fancy dresses in the store in her size. The shopper looked at everything they offered her with great interest.

Understanding that the process would be long, Melanie decided to have an easy conversation with her. So, your wedding is coming up soon and is the bride pretty? No, still three weeks until the celebration but I like everything to be ready in advance. My grandson’s name is Adrian.

As for the bride, I haven’t seen her yet. I just arrived three days ago. I live far from here.

My son brought me a plane ticket. He said, Mum, you’ll celebrate your grandson’s wedding and stay with us for a month. So I came.

The woman tried on all the dresses but couldn’t decide which one suited her best. Girls, I’ve already tortured you enough. I’m sorry but I haven’t bought anything for myself in so long.

There’s not much occasion to dress up in old age. My son told me that the wedding will be at the highest level. The bride is from a very wealthy family.

We’re not rushing you at all, Melanie smiled. It’s good that the bride is well off. There will be fewer problems in married life.

Oh dear, money is not always a guarantee of a happy marriage. Take my son for example. He used to be a calm and reasonable person.

But now I don’t understand what’s happening to him. He became nervous and agitated. His wife squeezes everything out of him for a luxurious life.

Caitlin loves to go to the most expensive resorts and wear expensive clothes. But one thing is good. My grandson is a decent guy.

He helps his father in business and does what he can. Melanie’s eyes blurred. It can’t be a coincidence.

I’ll take this one. The pink colour refreshes well and the fabric is pleasant to the touch, decided the elderly woman, looking satisfied in the mirror. Melanie felt as a pounding ache overwhelmed her and the elderly woman looked at her suspiciously and asked, Are you feeling OK? Melanie couldn’t hide her tears and quietly sobbed, I’m sorry, just tired.

Don’t cry dear. You’ll have your own celebration in life and you’ll get married, the woman comforted. You know I was supposed to have a wedding, but it fell through because of me.

Melanie continued to sob. The woman took Melanie’s hand and said softly, Don’t cry. Let’s process my purchase now and we’ll go outside and you can tell me everything.

Ten minutes later, Melanie was already telling Adrian’s grandmother about everything that unfortunate day. Then she talked about her father’s stroke, how her mother was devoting all her strength to taking care of her husband and how she was working as a saleswoman in a store to help her parents. My dear, to say that I’m shocked is an understatement, Mrs Sullivan said.

I’m very sorry about your father, but tell me honestly, did you really cheat on Adrian? No, of course not, Melanie’s voice sounded desperate. I’m telling you all this not because I want to get Adrian back. It’s too late.

He’s getting married. I’m just upset that I was slandered in front of all my relatives, friends and my father, who couldn’t bear such shame. My parents always thought of me as not serious and I couldn’t convince them that I didn’t confess my love to a stranger.

It was just some idiotic coincidence. I agreed to go out with the person who needed my designer advice. I didn’t see anything wrong with that…