The Wedding That Wasn’t
Weddings are supposed to be joyous, but as I watched Shanize walk down the aisle, a strange unease gripped me. Something was wrong. I couldn’t place it—until I lifted her gown and froze in horror.
I had known Dave for thirty years. When he announced he was marrying the stunning, graceful Shanize, I was thrilled. But on his big day, something felt off.
Shanize’s walk was… unnatural. Hesitant. Gliding.
I whispered to Heather, Dave’s sister.
“Do you see that?”
“See what?” she muttered. “You’re overthinking it.”
But I couldn’t shake the feeling.
As she neared the altar, a voice behind me whispered, “She’s gliding.”
A chill ran down my spine.
Before I knew it, I stepped forward, heart pounding, and lifted the hem of her dress.
Beneath the flowing white fabric were men’s shoes. Large. Polished. Unmistakable.
My blood turned to ice.
I crouched lower. Suit pants. A barely concealed masculine frame.
I shot up, staring at Dave, my voice barely above a whisper.
“This isn’t Shanize.”
The church fell silent.
The figure in the gown remained still. Then, with one deliberate motion, the veil lifted.
Gasps rippled through the room as the wig came off, revealing short, dark hair.
It was Dave’s best man.
In a wedding dress.
Dave staggered back, his face pale. “What… what the hell?”
The best man smirked. “Surprise.”
Dave’s voice cracked. “Where’s Shanize?!”
“She’s gone, Dave. Left days ago. But don’t worry—she planned this.”
A stunned hush.
“She wanted you to feel what she felt, Dave. To be blindsided.”
Dave’s breath hitched. “What are you talking about?”
The best man’s smirk vanished. His eyes turned sharp.
“She found out about you and Vanessa.”
The church erupted in whispers.
Dave’s face drained of color. “No… no, that’s not—”
“Oh, but it is.” His voice was venomous. “She found out days ago. You could have told her. You could have ended it. But no—you planned to marry her while sneaking around with her bridesmaid.”
I turned to Vanessa. She sat frozen, pale, gripping her seat.
Dave shook his head frantically. “This isn’t happening.”
But the best man took a slow step forward. “This is happening.”
“You threw away your chance at happiness for a cheap fling. Now, you get to know what that feels like.”
The church exploded into chaos.
Dave turned to me, desperate. “Janice, please! You have to believe me!”
I stared at him, heart sinking. “Dave… what have you done?”
The best man walked away, leaving Dave alone—shattered, exposed, and utterly broken.