He Gave My Wedding Dress to My Stepsister

　　Ivy's POV

　　What's going on with him? He never ignores my messages.

　　I stared at the double blue ticks on the two lingerie pictures I just sent to him.

　　He had seen them and yet didn't reply.

　　I lifted my phone again, tilting it to take another picture, making sure that all my curves were visible in the right places.

　　A satisfied smile graced my lips as I studied the picture. Bet he would come rushing home once he sees this one... even if he's stuck in a meeting.

　　"...You can't resist for too long..." I typed in the caption and hit the send button.

　　My heart leapt with joy as I realized there were only two days left until our grand wedding ceremony. Waiting for that day felt like an eternity. It wouldn't be complete without my husband-to-be, Julian Avery.

　　Technically, he is already my husband. Six months ago, we stood before a judge in a quiet City Hall and signed our marriage certificate in a simple civil ceremony. At the time, Julian's health was too fragile for a large celebration, so we chose to keep our marriage private until he was strong enough to stand by my side at the altar. In the eyes of the law, we were already bound, but to the world, this upcoming wedding would be our true beginning.

　　Julian and I were once the envy of everyone in high school. Our young love grew into a deep and committed relationship that lasted six years. But our fairy tale shattered when he was struck by a debilitating illness.

　　Since then, I have sacrificed everything for him. I put my own life and dreams on hold and became his full-time caretaker. For years, I stayed by his bedside through the darkest nights, nursing him back to health until he was finally strong enough to take over the Avery family business. Our bond was forged in those years of struggle, leading us to that quiet registry and now to this long-awaited wedding.

　　Thinking back on it all makes me happy. More than anything, I am excited to finally wear the wedding dress I made with my own hands.

　　Having learnt how to sew from my mum before she tragically passed, I vowed to make my own wedding dress by myself, a way to keep her memory alive and also console myself that she's still with me even though she is no more.

　　I walked to the wardrobe to take another look at my wedding dress and maybe, try it on for the millionth time, just to see how I look in it.

　　Pulling it open, my mind went dead blank as I stared at a now-empty space where the wedding dress normally hung.

　　What? What is happening?

　　I searched thoroughly again, my heart now pounding hard and loud.

　　Julian walked in just in time and I rushed to him already panicking "My wedding dress Julian, it's gone. I can't find it anywhere. Did you see it?" I asked breathlessly.

　　His smile wavered a bit "...I took it,"

　　"Ohh thank goodness!" I breathed out in utter relief "Why would you scare me like that?!"

　　"There's something I need to tell you, Ivy," Julian said, cutting me off immediately. "Okay, spill already!" I squealed in excitement "I need to check my dress one more time…"

　　"…I gave it to Elise." He cut in abruptly again. For a second, his words didn't make sense. "What… Did you say?" I asked, just to be sure I didn't hear wrong.

　　"Elise," he said again, firmer this time. "I gave her the dress."

　　"And why would you even do that?" I snapped in anger before I could realize.

　　"We've been talking, okay?" He rubbed his temples, trying to explain "She told me she wants her last wish to be getting married before she passes to me. So...I thought this, as the right thing to do."

　　"You thought what?" The words exploded out of me like a volcano. "How could you do something like this without asking me first? That's my dress, Julian! For our wedding, that's in two days!"

　　"I know. But her condition is getting worse. She's dying. The doctors don't even know how long she has left."

　　"That does not give you any fucking right to do this!" I shouted in disbelief. "You didn't even think to tell me!"

　　"That's what I came to talk to you about," he said, reaching for my hand but I yanked mine away.

　　"Look babe," he continued, his tone turning firm "it's just one dying wish. You can't just turn your back on her now even though she's not related to you by blood..."

　　"Elise is my sister!" I thundered. "She's my stepsister!"

　　Julian froze, staring at me in confusion "What do you mean, stepsister?"

　　And just like that, the secret I've kept for years comes pouring out as I rambled in tears..

　　"My dad cheated on my mum with Elise's mum," I cried. "He slept with her and not only got her pregnant but also brought her into our home as his second wife!"

　　"My mum got sick and fell into a depression, watching him choose another woman every single day in her matrimonial home until it eventually killed her. They tore my family apart and now they want to destroy my marriage?"

　　Julian's face grew hard with realization.

　　"I never knew all this Ivy. You told me your dad remarried but never said Elise was actually your sister so I thought her mum moved in with her."

　　"I didn't tell you everything, okay? I was ashamed to let anyone know how broken my family really was."

　　Silence fell between us, heavy and suffocating.

　　Then he sighed.

　　"Well… that shouldn't change things now," he said.

　　"What?" I stared at him in disbelief.

　　"I already promised her and I can't take that back," He continued. "She's dying, Ivy. She needs all the love and support. If I walk away now, it will crush her."

　　"I don't care if she's crushed!" I yelled. "You have to end this bullshit right now!"

　　"Don't you get it? This is the right thing to do. I mean, what kind of person says no to such a request? Common babe, don't be cold-hearted."

　　"And besides," he continued as if his words didn't just land me a heavy blow. "This doesn't change that. You're still my wife and we'll get married after she peacefully passes on."

　　"Can you even hear yourself?" I snapped in disgust.

　　"Yes," he said, without hesitation. "She'll be happy when we do this for her. Look, I'll do anything you want, Ivy. Anything. Just agree to this."

　　At that moment, it became clear that Elise had gotten to his head, just like she does to everyone. And he wasn't going to stop, not until I made him pay a price he can't afford.

　　I looked him in the eye "Anything, huh,"

　　"Yes babe, tell me," he responded eagerly.

　　"Transfer all your company shares to my name and sign the legal agreement immediately."

　　He blinked hard. "What?! That's too much Ivy!"

　　"You heard me!" I stood my ground. "Do it or I won't give up my wedding for her!"