My Father Married My Aunt After My Mom’s Death – Then at the Wedding, My Brother Said, ‘Dad Isn’t Who He Pretends to Be’

Instead, I sat there, frozen.

Laura squeezed Dad’s hand harder. “We love each other.

And we’re getting married.”

The words landed wrong. Too fast. Too rehearsed.

I remember nodding. I don’t remember deciding to. My brother didn’t say anything.

He just walked out of the room.

Later that night, he called me.

“It’s grief,” I replied automatically. “People do strange things.”

I don’t know who I was trying to convince.

***

Over the next few weeks, everything moved quickly. Quietly.

No big announcements. No engagement party. Just paperwork, appointments, and whispered conversations when they thought we weren’t listening.

Laura tried to include me.

“Do you want to help choose flowers?”

“I thought you might like to see the venue.”

I always declined.

“I’m fine,” I said.

“Do whatever you want.”

Dad pulled me aside once. “You’re okay with this, right?”

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