From Cocoon to Butterfly: Meeting the Beautiful Self

As the wedding reached its peak, the emcee’s voice came through the microphone. “Mr. Edward Shawn, do you take Ms. Celina Moses to be your lawfully wedded wife? Will you stand by her through thick and thin, whether she’s rich or poor, healthy or ill, for the rest of your life?”

Edward, my fiance, hesitated, scanning the crowd as if searching for someone.

He let out a quiet sigh, his eyes betraying his deep disappointment.

“I …”

Before he could finish, the doors to the auditorium burst open.

I saw Zoey, dressed in a striking red gown, and a wave of dread hit me.

Isn’t she traveling with her wealthy boyfriend?

With tears welling up in her eyes, Zoey looked at Edward. In no time, tears started streaming down her face. She lifted the skirt of her dress and ran over, throwing herself into his arms.

“I’m so sorry. I never realized you were the one who loved me the most. Now I see that I’ve fallen for you,” she confessed.

As she cried and poured her heart out, I looked around and saw everyone in the audience with amused, almost gleeful expressions, which made me even more embarrassed.

But Edward just held Zoey effortlessly, gently patting her back, and said with a soft smile, “Don’t cry. Your makeup will get smeared by your tears.”

It was a tone full of love I’d never heard from him before.

Zoey, my sister, couldn't help but chuckle at his comfort. Her face was still streaked with tears, but her red lips curved into a smile. She looked so heartbreakingly fragile.

Watching them hurt. I looked up at Edward and asked slowly, "Edward, are you still going through with the wedding?"

"Edward, I don't want to lose you again. I can't imagine a future without you. Don't marry her, okay?" My sister snuggled into his arms, acting all helpless. She pointed at me and cried like I was the bad guy ruining their happiness.

Edward hugged her tighter, the veins on his hand standing out. He looked at her with a tenderness I'd never seen before.

He reassured her softly, "Zoey, don't worry. I'll always be here. As long as you want, we won't be apart."

He couldn't hide how happy he was to have her back. Then he looked at me, annoyed. "Zoey isn't in a good state today. Let's talk about the wedding in a few days."

"What? There are so many relatives and friends here. Have you cared about my feelings?" I asked.

I really didn't get it. What does Zoey's state have to do with my wedding?

"Don't you understand? Zoey has always been the only one in my heart. It's always been that way," Edward explained.

A bitter smile spread across my face. I looked up and glared at Zoey. She had been competing with me for everything since we were kids.

Well, you don’t love me. Then I don’t want you.

I took off the veil from my head and placed it on Zoey's head before I announced, "Alright, there won't be another wedding for us. Since you two are in love, go ahead and get married. I wish you both happiness."

Then I turned around and walked out of the auditorium without looking back.

Out of the corner of my eye, I caught a glimpse of Zoey. Her red dress and the white veil, combined with her triumphant smile, looked so strange.

After I left, Zoey didn’t just become the new bride and go on with the wedding—it was called off entirely.

When they got home, my dad was slumped in a chair, looking like thunder, and didn’t say a word.

My mom, barely holding it together, jabbed a finger at me and started yelling, "You just walked out like that? What are we supposed to tell our relatives and friends now?"

Zoey, clinging to Edward and crying her eyes out, said, "Mom, Dad, please don’t blame me. I didn’t mean for this to happen. Edward doesn’t even love Pearl. They wouldn’t have been happy together."

Seeing Zoey’s tears, my mom’s tough exterior cracked a bit. She rushed over to comfort her, saying, "Zoey, it’s okay, don’t cry. No one’s upset with you."

But then she turned to me and snapped, "You can’t even keep a man interested. What good are you?"

I couldn’t catch much of what she said after that. I watched her mouth flap. Through all her words, there wasn’t a single bit of comfort for me, who was left abandoned on the wedding day. She never stood up for me or said anything against Zoey. It was just a constant stream of blame directed at me.

I seriously wondered if I was just picked up off the street.

Fine, let Zoey marry Edward then. Since they’re so in love, just make it happen. I shot everyone a fierce look, my frustration boiling over.

But now, my parents, who once thought Edward was perfect for me, were now full of complaints.“Edward, you’re just a junior employee. How can you provide a stable life for Zoey?”

“Yeah, Edward, you don’t even have your own place. If Zoey moves in with you, she’ll be stuck living with your parents. I'm just so worried about the inlaw drama.”

“And don’t forget, Zoey is our little princess. If you’re going to marry her, you need to do better than today’s wedding. You need a proper wedding dress and all that.”

But when I brought Edward home, my parents were all for it. They said being a junior employee was fine because there was room to move up. They said living with inlaws was okay since they could help out. They said the wedding was just a formality and that the real deal was the future.

It was not that my parents didn’t care about their daughters. They just didn’t want to care about me.

Edward was stunned to see his future inlaws, who had always praised him, suddenly turning against him. Every word felt like a stab to the heart, and his face turned beet red with embarrassment.

“Mom, Dad, I really love Edward. We’ll be happy together,” Zoey said, unable to take it anymore. She stood by Edward’s side, staring at our parents.

Mom and Dad, fuming with anger, exchanged glances but didn’t say a word.

Zoey turned to Edward to comfort him.“My parents are just overly protective. Don’t let it get to you. Go back and explain things to your mom. I’ll handle my parents.”

Edward nodded silently and said goodbye to my parents.

After Edward left, Mom pulled Zoey close, looking confused. “Zoey, what’s going on? Didn’t you always think he was just a smalltime worker? What about Charles? What does he think?”

Charles was Zoey’s current boyfriend. He was the heir to a big corporation, which fit perfectly with my parent's dream of a wealthy soninlaw.

Zoey looked at our parents, took a deep breath, and said, “Mom, Dad, his family’s finances are a mess. They’re getting slammed by competitors and might go under.”

“Edward’s different,” she added. “I’ve heard he’s getting a promotion soon because of his brilliant business plan. If I married Charles, I don’t know how hard it’d be. And... Edward’s been in love with me for over ten years. He’ll treat me right.”

She spoke through her tears in my dad’s arms. My mom, looking heartbroken, said, “Oh, sweetie, you’ve finally grown up and started thinking about what’s best for you. It’s okay, it’s okay. Mom and Dad will handle everything.”

What? I was totally surprised. It felt like my mom was trying to make Zoey’s taking my fiancé seem like a noble act.

Watching their warm family moment, I felt like a stranger on the outside, unable to fit in. A bitter smile spread across my face.

When I first graduated from college and hadn’t landed a job yet, my mom told me I was an adult now and needed to move out. She said I shouldn’t rely on them because they were getting older and couldn’t support me much.

During my first Christmas Eve after starting work, I came home to find that my room and Zoey’s room had been combined into one big room for her.

At that time, Zoey pretended to be sorry and said, “Oh, I’m really sorry, Celina. Mom and Dad thought my room was too small, and since you don’t come home much, they merged our rooms. Why don’t we share a bed tonight?”

It was common for sisters to share a room, but I knew it wasn’t going to work with Zoey. When we were kids, she’d beg to sleep with me, only to complain to our parents that I took her blanket or kicked her in my sleep. I could see the smugness in her eyes whenever Mom and Dad scolded me.

So, on Christmas Eve, I went to a hotel alone.

Outside the window, thousands of lights glittered, but none of them were meant for me.

“You say Edward’s been secretly in love with you for years? That’s impossible! He’s been with me for three years,” I interrupted the warm scene, pretending to show concern.

“Don’t believe me?” Zoey shot me a disdainful look after hearing my doubts.

She pulled out her phone, logged into her rarelyused WhatsApp account, and handed it to me. “See for yourself.”

I took the phone and immediately recognized the familiar number. It was Edward’s account.

Scrolling through the chat history, I came across messages from a few years ago.

[Zoey, I saw you at the park today. You were wearing a red dress, standing out in the crowd, so vibrant and dazzling.]

[Zoey, if we could go to the same high school, our time there would be so much more exciting. I’d definitely stand in front of you and tell you how I feel.]

...

[Zoey, today someone was watching me who looks a lot like you. I found out she’s your sister. Since I can’t be by your side, I’ll protect you in my own way, as if I were family.]

What a beautiful, enviable love! But it’s a love built on the pain it causes me.

But wait, this can’t be right! Something is off!

While I was reading those messages, my heart twisted in pain. I even found it hard to breathe.

Zoey looked at our parents, took a deep breath, and said, “Mom, Dad, his family’s finances are a mess. They’re getting slammed by competitors and might go under.”

“Edward’s different,” she added. “I’ve heard he’s getting a promotion soon because of his brilliant business plan. If I married Charles, I don’t know how hard it’d be. And... Edward’s been in love with me for over ten years. He’ll treat me right.”

She spoke through her tears in my dad’s arms. My mom, looking heartbroken, said, “Oh, sweetie, you’ve finally grown up and started thinking about what’s best for you. It’s okay, it’s okay. Mom and Dad will handle everything.”

But how could Zoey and Edward have gone to the same high school?

This doesn’t make any sense.

I shook my head and turned to walk out the door, an idea suddenly exploding in my mind.

In my memory, the first time I met Edward was in my second year of junior high school, back in 2012.

At that time, I was introverted and withdrawn. My parents always favored my sister, making me feel like an outsider at home. Because of this, I often stayed at school late to avoid going back.

I remember that night being very cold. I was walking home alone, and a strong sense of unease heightened my senses. When I realized someone was following me, I panicked and started running.

Tears streamed down my face as I ran, and in my panic, I tripped and fell.

Just when I thought it was all over, Edward appeared.

He was wearing a blue uniform, standing in front of me like a hero from a movie. He gently helped me up and told me not to be afraid. He explained that the strange noise was just a plastic bag caught on my shoe. He also mentioned that the area hadn’t been very safe lately and advised me not to stay out too late.

Edward took off his coat and wrapped it around me. I noticed his school uniform underneath.

That day, he bundled me up and told me not to be afraid. He was about to call my parents to come get me, but they hung up as soon as they heard my name.

As he was about to call again, I stopped him and whispered, "Don't bother. They won't answer. My parents... they don’t like me causing trouble."

Edward gently patted my head, and I looked up at him, confused. He said, "Even if they don’t like you, you have to like yourself. If you don’t stand up for yourself, the people who bully you will just get worse..."

That night, he shared a lot about himself. I found out he went to the neighboring high school and that his dad was a cop. In his spare time, he helped out at the police station.

Edward was such a good man. He pulled me out of my darkest moments. He was my beacon of hope.

For my entire third year of junior high, Edward would quietly walk me home, making me feel safe.

Edward once told me that a butterfly dancing in the air was a worm that had broken free from its cocoon.

"No matter how tough your past or how your family treats you, those are just the cocoons holding you back, Celina. When you become a butterfly and fly high, those things will be in the past and won't be able to hurt you anymore."

I told him my sister’s name is Zoey. She was their perfect gem, carrying all their hopes and dreams. As for me, it seemed like my parents never really paid attention to me, like they never had any expectations for my future."

Edward gently tapped my head. "Celina, you bring so much joy to others, don't you realize that? Just knowing you has been a great joy.

"You have to live a great life and become an amazing person. Let those people see you thriving, and that will be the best revenge on those who don’t love you.

"When the little stream winds through all the twists and turns and finally flows into the sea, that’s when you see its true worth. What I mean is, you need to recognize your own value."

However, after working hard for an entire year, I still couldn’t get into Starlight High School.

On the day of the entrance exam, Zoey insisted on having mango jam and even spread a layer on my toast.

I had never eaten mangoes before, so I had no idea I was allergic. But I wasn’t feeling great and only had a little bit before heading to the exam.

In the exam room, my hands broke out in rashes. Even as clueless as I was, I figured out where Zoey’s evil smile that morning had come from.

Though I quickly went to the hospital for allergy meds at noon, they made me dizzy. The language exam in the morning was already over and couldn’t be changed, and I wasn’t clearheaded for the math exam in the afternoon. In the end, I missed getting into Starlight High School by two points.

And after that, I never saw Edward again.

After college, I landed a job at a wellknown company, just as I’d always hoped.

But on September 21st, while I was meeting with a client, I saw Edward’s name on the list.

When I realized he was from the same small town as me and lived near Starlight High School, I was over the moon. It felt like fate was finally bringing that spark of hope back into my life.

But when I asked about his father, Edward’s expression changed.

He told me his father had passed away. I stupidly assumed that losing his dad had pushed him away from a police career and shaped him into who he had become.

What I missed was that his appearance had changed from what I remembered, and he had once been so determined to become a police officer, no matter how hard it was.

When I told him Zoey was my sister and showed him a photo of us, Edward was so excited, like he’d found something he thought he’d lost. I thought he was remembering our past together.

So, everything seemed to fall into place. We became a couple, dated for three years, introduced our families, and started planning our wedding.

But then, the twist. Edward turned out to be Zoey’s secret admirer.

Zoey told me they had been classmates since middle school and were still in the same class in high school. Edward had been in love with her for over ten years. My sister, who struggled with her grades, went to a private high school, which meant this Edward was not the one I thought I knew.

I realized then that I had mistaken someone for Edward.

I had always thought people change over time, so I made excuses for Edward's neglect and coldness towards me over the past three years. I told myself people's personalities could shift. When he pressured me to work on projects for him, I figured it wasn't his strength. Even when he showed me disdain and dislike, I chose to ignore it.

I had forgotten that my Edward was like a burst of sunshine—he'd never be cold or distant with anyone. His heart was all about justice, so the thought of him showing off my work at the office just didn't fit. What really stood out was that my man, Edward, cared deeply about me. He'd never look at me with such disdain. Whenever he looked at me, his eyes were always warm and full of love.

So it turned out they weren’t the same person after all.

Once I realized that, I felt this huge weight lift off my shoulders. If you’re not the Edward from my memories, then... I can let go and move on.

The next morning, Mom yanked me out of bed to help with breakfast. “Come on, time to get up! You twentysomethings are just like old people. When you’re actually old, no one will stop you from snoozing. Now get up and help me with these veggies.”

But Zoey was still fast asleep.

Just then, there was a knock at the door. I opened it to find Edward and his mom, Stanra, standing there.

Mom had clearly warmed up to Edward after hearing Zoey’s explanation yesterday.

She saw them and immediately thought they were there for Zoey. She rushed to her bedroom and yelled, “Zoe, my sweetheart, Edward and Mrs. Shawn are here! Get up and get ready!”

To my surprise, Stanra said with a sheepish smile, “Mrs. Moses, I’m so sorry. We’re here to apologize to Celina.”

Mom looked puzzled and a bit flustered. “Celina?”

The difference in how she addressed Zoey and me was clear.

As Mom spoke, Zoey, now fresh and dressed, came out of her room. She approached Stanra with a warm smile and said, “Mrs. Shawn, what brings you here so early? Have you had breakfast yet?”

Stanra only gave Zoey a quick glance before walking over to grab my hand. "Celina, Edward really messed up, and I'm here to apologize.

“I laid into him as soon as he walked through the door yesterday. He’s been acting like he’s got one foot in both worlds—eyeing another woman while still enjoying who he has. That’s no way to handle a relationship; it’s just asking for trouble. Celina, for my sake, could you please find it in your heart to forgive him this time?

“Let’s set a new wedding date. I’ll cover the costs, and we’ll book a fancy venue to make sure your big day is everything you’ve dreamed of.”

Honestly, Stanra hadn’t been too keen on me before.

But after I started bringing her gifts, helping around the house, and letting her know that the plan Edward’s boss liked was my work, she slowly warmed up to me. She started to see me as a good potential daughterinlaw.

Now, faced with choosing between Zoey, who only had a high school diploma, and me with my college degree, she clearly had no doubts about picking me.

I smiled and gestured for Stanra to look at Edward, who was gazing at Zoey with such intensity it was almost palpable. They were even holding hands in front of everyone.

Pretending to be hurt, with my eyes a bit misty, I said, “Please don’t. Zoey and Edward are deeply in love with each other. I don’t think Edward would want me to come between them.”

Stanra looked at her disappointing son, her anger almost visible. Her face turned a bit green as she shot Edward a cold, furious look.

Edward’s family was a singleparent household, and Stanra was quite the fiery and dominant woman. Seeing his mom on the verge of losing it, he tried to pull his hand away in fear, but Zoey held on tight.

“Edward, dear…” Zoey’s voice was soft and full of emotion.

I couldn’t help but sneer. What a fool.