Who really killed Wanda Day! - Wedding Bells (DAY! Series Book 2)

Chapter 28 - A Disaster, A Disclosure, And A Delicate Devotion

Leyla Winters made her grand entrance into the world on February 17th, 1985, much to the delight of her parents, Marlene and Fritz. The new parents were positively smitten with their little princess, who wasted no time in establishing herself as the true ruler of the household. From the moment she arrived, Leyla had her doting parents wrapped around her tiny finger, and she made sure they knew it.

The first few years of her life were spent in a wonderful, idyllic family bubble, where Leyla was undoubtedly the center of attention. As is often the life case, children have a remarkable ability to soak up their surroundings like a sponge, absorbing every little detail and nuance. And young Leyla was no exception - she dutifully copied her parents' every move, completely unaware of whether their behavior was considered 'normal' by the rest of the world. After all, in the eyes of a child, her family was the epitome of perfection. Little did Leyla know, however, that the seemingly flawless facade her parents had carefully constructed was far from normal.

Now, Marlene was what one might call a 'professional worrier' - her jealousy issues were so severe, that they bordered on the pathological. She chauffeured poor Fritz to and from work each day as if he might spontaneously sprout wings and fly away the moment she let him out of her sight. Marlene also took it upon herself to meticulously inspect his mail, and heaven forbid the phone should ring without her being the one to answer it. Fritz was essentially on a tight leash, banned from going out, making friends, or even indulging in the slightest hobby. And yet, despite this suffocating level of control, Fritz remained utterly devoted to his wife, loving her more than anything. With this picture-perfect marriage as her reference, young Leyla grew up blissfully unaware of the underlying dysfunction.

At the tender age of 13, Leyla experienced her first taste of love, setting her sights on a classmate named Marty. The boy was initially overjoyed, as the two became the first official couple in their class. However, it soon became clear that Leyla had inherited more than just her mother's good looks - she also seemed to have picked up on Marlene's rather possessive tendencies. Leyla peppered Marty with questions about his day, followed him around like a loyal puppy during breaks, and never let him out of her sight for even a second. Woe betide any other female classmates who dared to engage Marty in conversation - Leyla would swoop in like a jealous hawk, wedging herself between the two with a fiery glare that could melt steel.

After a mere three weeks of Leyla's smothering affection, Marty had enough. He promptly pulled the plug on their relationship, just in time for the summer. While Marty wasted no time in moving on and enjoying his newfound freedom, Leyla was busy hatching a plan to win him back. In her mind, Marty was hers, just as her father belonged to her mother.

Fortunately for Leyla, that fateful summer proved to be a transformative one - she experienced a rather significant physical leap forward, courtesy of good old-fashioned puberty. And so, on the first day of school after the summer break, Leyla strutted through the doors in a miniskirt and a crop top, proudly showcasing her newly acquired assets, including her very first bra. Needless to say, this new and improved Leyla immediately captured the attention of the opposite sex. All except for Marty, who had been too busy canoodling with Cindy Beckenheim for the past three weeks.

Leyla's heart burned with a fiery rage every time she caught sight of Marty and his new girlfriend shamelessly smooching in the hallway. Eventually, she couldn't hold it in any longer and confided in her mother about her woes. Marlene encouraged her daughter's obsession, telling her that if she truly believed Marty was destined to be her future husband, then Leyla had no choice but to fight for him.

And so, Leyla prepared to wage war for the affections of her one true love. She wasted no time in launching her campaign to win Marty back, starting by leaving little love notes in his locker and showering him with an endless supply of chocolates and other sugary treats. But much to her dismay, Marty's reaction was the polar opposite of what she had hoped for. Instead of swooning over her grand romantic gestures, the poor boy became increasingly annoyed and uncomfortable with Leyla's relentless advances.