A Toast to the Traitors

"Wait, sister," Ivy called out, her voice sickly sweet.

I froze midstep. The microphone was still in my hand as Ivy's bony fingers wrapped around my wrist, pulling me back to center stage. Her grip was surprisingly strong for someone supposedly at death's door.

The wedding guests stared. Their hungry eyes watched this cruel spectacle unfold. I could almost hear their thoughts: _Poor Hazel, publicly humiliated by her own family._

I refused to look weak. Standing tall, I met Ivy's gaze. Her eyes gleamed with malice beneath her mask of innocence.

"I want to thank my dear sister," she announced, clinging to my arm like we were best friends. "Without Hazel's sacrifice, this beautiful day wouldn't be possible."

Sacrifice? I hadn't sacrificed anything. Everything had been taken from me.