The morning light spilled through the colorful stained glass windows, painting my white gown with brilliant hues. I gazed at my reflection, a wave of excitement bubbling inside me. Today was the day I had dreamed of—my wedding day!
“You look absolutely radiant, Esther!” my maid of honor and best friend, Lia, exclaimed, adjusting my veil with a beaming smile.
“I can’t believe it’s finally happening! I’m actually getting married!” I replied, my grin stretching from ear to ear.
As Lia helped me into my wheelchair, a quick wave of self-consciousness washed over me. I had lived with a leg defect my whole life, but today, I promised myself not to let anything dim my joy.
“Kevin loves you just as you are,” Lia reassured me, squeezing my hand. “You two are perfect for each other.”
I nodded, my mind drifting to Kevin, who was waiting for me at the altar. We had met just six months ago at a support group for people with disabilities. He, like me, had been in a wheelchair, and we hit it off instantly.
As a child, I never dreamed I’d find love, let alone be on my way to getting married. But here I was, ready to defy all my childhood doubts.
Just then, I heard my mother’s voice call from behind the door. “Esther? It’s time, darling!”
Taking a deep breath, I smoothed down my dress. “This is it. I’m ready!”
The church doors swung open, and all eyes turned to me. My father, Matthews, pushed my wheelchair down the aisle, and a surge of happiness filled my heart as I spotted Kevin at the altar, his smile making my heart race.
When we reached him, Dad leaned down and whispered, “You look beautiful, princess. I’m sorry I wasn’t always there for you.”
I squeezed his hand tightly. “You’re here now, Dad. That’s what matters.”
As the ceremony began, I noticed something strange—my dad had vanished from the pews, leaving me feeling uneasy. I focused on Kevin, his warm smile grounding me.
“Do you take Esther to be your wife?” the priest asked, turning to Kevin. Just then, the church doors burst open. My father stormed in, his face twisted with anger. “STOP THE WEDDING!” he yelled.
Gasps rippled through the room as he charged down the aisle, pointing an accusing finger at Kevin. “This man is a fraud, Esther! He’s been lying to you!”
My heart sank. “Dad, what are you talking about?”
Kevin tightened his grip on my hand. “There’s been some mistake, Mr. Matthews.”
But my father was relentless. “He’s using you, Esther. He’s after your money, and he’s done this to other women before. Meeting you at that support group was all part of his plan!”
My mind raced, trying to make sense of his words. Could it be true? Was the man I loved lying to me all along?
“Where’s your proof, Dad?” I demanded, a tremor in my voice.
A cruel smirk crossed my father’s lips as he clapped his hands. Suddenly, a waiter appeared, carrying a steaming cup of water. “Watch this,” Dad said, flinging the boiling water onto Kevin’s legs.
To my shock, Kevin leapt out of his wheelchair, standing on two healthy legs!
The church fell silent, and I stared in disbelief. My father’s laughter echoed through the room. “It was just cold water. But now you see the truth. He’s been faking his disability the whole time.”
Tears filled my eyes as the reality crashed down on me. Kevin—no, Johnson, as the police officers called him when they arrived—was arrested for fraud. I watched in numb disbelief as they led him away in handcuffs. Everything I believed about him had been a lie.
Later that day, back in my bedroom, the pain of betrayal hit me like a wave. A knock on the door brought my mother in, asking if my father could come in. When he did, his anger was gone, replaced by sadness.
“I’m so sorry, sweetheart,” he said, sitting beside me. “I know today wasn’t how you pictured it.”
“How did you find out?” I asked, still in shock.
“I saw him walking in the garden this morning,” Dad explained. “It didn’t sit right with me, so I dug deeper. Turns out he’s done this before, preying on vulnerable women. I couldn’t let you marry a man like that.”
Tears streamed down my cheeks as the weight of everything crashed over me. “I was such a fool.”
“No, Esther,” Dad said, pulling me into a hug. “It’s not your fault. Your mother and I, we weren’t there for you the way we should’ve been. We’re sorry.”
In that moment, I realized that despite everything, I wasn’t truly alone. My parents were here, ready to rebuild the bonds we’d let slip away. It was a small comfort amidst my heartbreak.
As the days turned into weeks, I found peace in my art. I spent hours in my studio, painting through the pain. My friends, like Lia, reached out often, offering support and love. Slowly, I began to heal, focusing on the love that had always been there, waiting for me to recognize it.
Though my wedding day ended in betrayal, it wasn’t the end of my story. I may have lost the man I thought I loved, but in the process, I found something even more precious: myself, my family, and the strength to move forward.
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