Then she raised the glass high and smashed it to the floor.
Gasps echoed throughout the venue. People turned to stare at Sandra. Her face had gone white, while her designer dress remained bright and garish.
The video continued. Sandra methodically destroyed every piece. Each crash rang through the speakers. Her laughter followed every broken glass.
“Let’s see her honor her precious mommy now!” Sandra laughed.
I turned back to face the crowd. Sandra looked like she might faint.
“Fortunately,” I said clearly, “the crystal set you just watched her destroy was a replica. The real one is safe, thanks to my Aunt Marlene.”
My aunt appeared from the back of the room. She carried a silver tray holding Mom’s actual crystal glasses. They caught the lights and threw rainbows across the ceiling.
The crowd erupted in applause. Dad stood up from his table. His face showed anger I’d never seen before. He walked slowly to Sandra’s table. Every step echoed in the now-quiet room.
“Pack your things,” he said loud enough for everyone to hear. “You’re done. We’re done.”
Sandra tried to speak. She tried to claim it was all a joke and a misunderstanding. But her words fell flat. No one believed her anymore.
She gathered her purse and fled the venue. People whispered behind her as she left. The heavy doors swung shut on her shame.
That night, we raised Mom’s real crystal glasses in a toast. The weight felt perfect in my hand. The light danced through the crystal just like it had in our kitchen all those years ago.
For the first time since Mom died, I felt her presence. Really felt it. Like she was sitting right beside me, smiling.
The satisfaction wasn’t just about saving the crystals. It was watching Sandra realize she’d been outplayed by the very woman whose memory she tried to destroy.
Several guests had recorded the whole reveal on their phones. By morning, everyone in Millfield would know what Sandra had done. She’d never show her face in our town again.
Dad came over to me as the evening wound down. His eyes were bright with unshed tears.
