An online user described how her stepmom aimed to spoil her brother's engagement party. But the Original Poster (OP), with the help of the event staff, flipped the script on the stepmom, treating her in a way that she deserved.
A couple in love | Source: Getty Images
A user shared on Reddit how her big brother had finally found happiness with a lovely fiancée, a fact that filled the Original Poster (OP) with immense joy. The OP revealed that her brother had endured a series of tumultuous relationships. So, it was heartening to see him with someone who truly made him happy.
The brother and his fiancée were looking forward to their engagement party. However, there was one dark cloud looming over the impending celebrations – the stepmom. This stepmom was one of the terrible girlfriends the brother had dated in the past.
A woman plotting | Source: Getty Images
The family wasn't thrilled that the brother's awful ex-girlfriend married their dad. The stepmom had a history of making every event about herself, and the news of her ex's engagement was no exception.
First, she complained about not being informed about the engagement at the same time as the rest of the family. The stepmom went on to openly criticize the bride-to-be and seemed determined to steal the spotlight on the day of the engagement party. "She talked openly about how this new girl isn't as pretty or sociable as a certain past girlfriend of his," the OP narrated.
An angry woman on the phone | Source: Getty Images
The stepmom also phoned the brother's fiancée to vet her suitability and dubbed herself "stepmom-in-law-to-be." She insisted on having a role in the engagement party's planning. She also wanted to deliver a speech, something that discomforted the brother and his fiancée greatly.
As plans for the engagement party took shape, the OP became very involved, and eventually, the stepmom nagged her to let her take part in the arrangements as well. The OP reluctantly agreed because of her father. The dad had already asked her brother to involve their stepmom in the planning to keep peace.
A middle-aged man looking annoyed | Source: Getty Images
OP's growing resentment toward the stepmom's intrusive behavior, led her to come up with a mischievous plan. She deliberately assigned the stepmom menial tasks, ensuring she had no real influence over the event's proceedings, while the OP took charge of the important decisions.
"I had this woman choosing between eight near-identical shades of taupe for the ribbons to go around vases," the OP shared. Still, the OP conveyed to stepmom her dislike for her. She told her that her invitation to the engagement party was merely a formality, suggesting that if she had any manners, she'd feign illness to avoid attending.
Two women arguing | Source: Getty Images
Unsurprisingly, the stepmom still attended the engagement party. She arrived wearing a white gown and the OP mentioned that she wasn't sure if it came with a headdress. Determined to protect her brother and his fiancée from further discomfort, OP enlisted the help of friends and the event staff to execute a clever plan.
A woman in white gown | Source: Getty Images
Throughout the day, friends and event staff prevented the stepmom from talking to the couple. They also made her day difficult. The bartenders discreetly served her non-alcoholic drinks and accidentally spilled beverages on her not once, but twice. In turn, the wait staff also seemed to avoid her, ensuring she missed out on the delicious canapés and other refreshments circulating the room.
Wait staff serving drinks | Source: Getty Images
Throughout the evening, the stepmom found herself sidelined at every turn. The photographer conveniently missed capturing her in any of the photos and when the stepmom attempted to deliver a speech, sudden feedback and music drowned out her words. Presumably, she gave up after the microphone stopped working.
A woman speaking at a wedding | Source: Getty Images
Despite the stepmom's complaints about the event's shortcomings, everyone else seemed to have thoroughly enjoyed themselves, especially the happy couple. As the night came to a close, OP couldn't help but feel a sense of satisfaction knowing that her brother and his fiancée were able to celebrate their love without any further disruptions from the meddling stepmom.
A happy family at a party | Source: Getty Images
Redditors praised OP for how she dealt with the stepmom. "You are an elite master," one person said, adding, "well played." Redditors called the OP's plans "fantastic," noting, "My grin/smirk got wider the more I read. I tip my hat to you, well played."
A happy couple at a garden party | Source: Getty Images
Another person bashed the OP's father, "I’m stuck on your father marrying his son’s ex. And, crossing his boundaries to keep the peace. Ironic." "What a horrible, entitled person," said a person in reference to the stepmom. People urged the OP's family to stay alert, saying that if the stepmom tried to ruin the engagement party, she could have much worse plans for the wedding.