The Push No One Could Pretend Not to See
The engagement party was at Colin’s parents’ lake house — string lights overhead, white linens on the tables, a pool in the middle of the stone patio reflecting the sunset. It was beautiful. For a while, it even felt peaceful.
Guests arrived, hugging us, admiring my ring, telling us how perfect we were together. I started to relax, to actually enjoy the night.
Kira showed up late, of course, dressed to turn heads. She hugged me too tightly and said, loud enough for people nearby: “Wow, you definitely picked a dress that guarantees no one will look at anyone else tonight.”
I smiled, walked away, and refused to bite.
After dinner, everyone drifted outside around the pool — talking, taking photos, drinks in hand. I was standing near the water’s edge chatting with a couple of friends when I heard Kira’s voice behind me.
“Megan!”
I turned, expecting another snide remark. She stepped toward me like she was going in for a hug.
And then she shoved me. Hard.
I didn’t have time to react. My heels slipped. My arms flailed uselessly. I hit the pool with a massive splash.
The cold knocked the breath out of me. I came up gasping, mascara running, my beautiful champagne dress plastered to my body.
The entire backyard went silent except for a few horrified gasps.
Kira stood at the edge of the pool, laughing like she’d just nailed the joke of the century.
“Oh my God!” she said, hand over her mouth in fake shock. “I barely touched you! You’re so dramatic. It was an accident!”
But her eyes were bright with satisfaction. She wasn’t sorry. She was thrilled.
Colin rushed over and hauled me out. “Megan, are you okay?” he asked, furious.
My dad looked pale. “What happened?”
“Ask Kira,” I said quietly.
My stepmom, shaking, snapped, “Kira, did you push her?”
Kira laughed. “Oh my God, relax! I barely touched her. Maybe the dress is cursed or something.”
People shifted uncomfortably. No one really laughed. They just stared — at me, dripping and humiliated… and at her, still smirking.
That’s when something in me flipped.
I wasn’t going to run inside and hide. I wasn’t going to let her turn my night into her performance and then leave me to disappear in shame.
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