My Stepsister Asked Me to Sew Dresses for Her Six Bridesmaids – Then Refused to Pay Me for the Materials and My Work
Tuesday morning, I was bouncing four-month-old Max when Jade called. She was getting married next month and couldn’t find bridesmaid dresses for six women. Remembering my sewing skills, she begged me to make them.
I hadn’t worked professionally since Max was born, and money was tight, but I agreed. Three weeks of sleepless nights followed—each bridesmaid had endless, conflicting requests. I sewed while nursing Max, spending $400 of our baby fund. Rio warned me I was overdoing it, but I pushed on.
Two days before the wedding, I delivered six perfect dresses. Jade barely looked up. “Just hang them somewhere,” she said. When I asked about payment, she laughed. “This is your wedding gift! You’re home all day anyway.”
At the wedding, everyone raved about the dresses, and I overheard Jade whisper that she’d used me for free labor. Rage boiled inside me. Then, twenty minutes before the first dance, her expensive gown split completely down the back. She begged me to fix it. I knelt on the bathroom floor and patched it perfectly.
I demanded honesty. “Tell people I made those dresses.” She left silently.
During her speech, Jade admitted her selfishness, apologized, and handed me an envelope with payment—and extra for Max. The room applauded, but all I felt was relief. Justice didn’t need drama—just recognition of your worth.
