At my sister-in-law Tiffany Clark's lavish Napa Valley wedding, my mother-in-law, Brenda Clark, was spreading vicious rumors that I was promiscuous—that I’d even contracted an STD. The moment I heard, I went to confront her.
However, Tiffany stopped me, tearfully begging me not to ruin her special day. I bit my tongue for the sake of her wedding, waiting until the reception was over to confront my mother-in-law.
Afterward, she just laughed it off, claiming the champagne had made her forget everything.
But the rumors spread like wildfire. Neighbors pointed at me. Colleagues ostracized me. I was treated like a walking biohazard.
The emotional toll was relentless, and I was utterly ground down. One day, driving home from work in a daze, I was hit by a truck and died.
When I opened my eyes again, I was right back where it all started: the day Brenda first told everyone I had an STD.
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1
"Scarlett, can you help me with my zipper?" a voice asked.
I opened my eyes and looked around. My sister-in-law, Tiffany Clark, was changing in front of me. It took me a moment to realize… I was back. I’d been reborn.
I ignored Tiffany's request and stormed out of the dressing room, striding toward the banquet hall. There, I saw my mother-in-law, Brenda, holding the hand of Tiffany's future mother-in-law and boasting, "I was always so careful raising Tiffany. She's such a wonderful, kind-hearted girl. You're so lucky to have her as your daughter-in-law!"
"Unlike my own daughter-in-law," she said, her tone souring. "She sleeps around with who knows who and has even caught an STD. What did I do to deserve this?"
The guests at the table stared at her in disbelief.
A neighbor who knew me spoke up, "That doesn't sound like Scarlett at all. Brenda, are you sure you haven't gotten something wrong?"
Brenda immediately retorted, "You only see the surface. In reality, she often comes home in the middle of the night. God knows what she's been up to. I bet she's been cheating for a long time! Besides, why would I air my own family's dirty laundry in public if it wasn't the absolute truth?"
Hearing this, my blood began to boil. In my past life, it was these very lies that destroyed me. This time, I had to make her set the record straight!
However, Tiffany appeared just in time and grabbed my arm. "Scarlett, Mom's just had too much champagne. She's talking nonsense. I'll get her to stop, I promise. Today is my wedding. Please, for my sake, don't make a scene."
I’d been married to her brother, Ryan Clark, for two years, and our relationship had always been strong. That’s why, in my past life, I’d given in to her pleas. But now, I knew my innocence—my life—was more important than her wedding.
I shook off her hand and walked straight toward Brenda, who was still spinning her lies.
"I just don't understand how Ryan fell for such a shameless woman. What am I going to do if she gives the disease to my son?" she wailed, dabbing at her dry eyes.
"Brenda, who are you accusing of having an STD?" I demanded sharply.
My voice startled her. She turned, saw it was me, and immediately clutched her chest. "Scarlett, are you trying to scare me to death?"
"If you haven't done anything wrong, you've got nothing to fear. Or is that a guilty conscience I see?"
She rolled her eyes at me. "I have a clear conscience. As for you…"
Tiffany rushed forward to cut her off. "Mom, everyone is here to celebrate my wedding. You've had too much champagne, so please, that's enough!"
Brenda finally stopped, composed herself, and then said to me, "I didn't say anything. I was just chatting with Tiffany's in-laws."
Tiffany breathed a sigh of relief and turned to me with a smile. "See, Scarlett? Mom didn't say anything. Let's talk about this after the wedding, okay? We can sort it out as a family."
