Standing at the altar, Nathan was brimming with anticipation, eagerly awaiting his fiancée, Jane, to walk down the aisle in the stunning white gown they had chosen together. But to his shock and horror, Jane appeared in a long black dress, a choice that revealed a devastating truth and shattered his world.
The day was supposed to be one of the happiest of his life, but instead, it became a moment that left a deep, painful scar. Nathan had never imagined it would turn out this way.
Nathan and Jane had met through a mutual friend. After just a few dates, they were inseparable. Jane was the vibrant extrovert, always surrounded by friends, while Nathan was the quiet, introverted type who avoided crowds. But with Jane, things were different.
“I was drawn to her because she made me feel loved in ways I’d never known before,” Nathan reflected. Jane cherished his company and never made him feel unworthy of her affection.
A few months into their relationship, Nathan proposed, confident that Jane was the one. She said yes without hesitation, her eyes lighting up at the sight of the ring.
“I can’t believe you said yes,” Nathan told her once. “I don’t know how I got so lucky.”
He truly didn’t feel like he deserved someone as amazing as her.
As their relationship deepened, they decided to get married. Their families met, and everything seemed to fall perfectly into place. They planned a small, intimate summer ceremony, surrounded by their closest friends and family. It all felt like a dream. But on their wedding day, everything fell apart.
Nathan stood at the altar in a tailored black suit, waiting to see Jane walk down the aisle in the beautiful white gown they had chosen together. Instead, she appeared in a long black dress, her face a mix of anger and sorrow. It was the kind of outfit you’d expect at a funeral, not a wedding.
Confused and alarmed, Nathan whispered, “Why are you wearing black? What’s happening?”
“I’ll tell you after the ceremony,” Jane replied, her face cold and unyielding, as though he had committed an unforgivable sin.
“No,” Nathan said, raising his hand to stop everything. “Tell me now. What’s going on?”
The room went silent. All eyes were on them.
With tears welling in her eyes, Jane revealed the truth. “It’s because of your mother. She told me everything.”
Nathan was completely lost. “What do you mean?” he asked.
“She told me about you and Lauren—your best friend,” Jane said, her voice trembling. “She said you’ve been cheating on me and that you planned to leave me for her. I’m wearing black to mourn the love we once had, Nathan.”
Nathan couldn’t believe what he was hearing. “Jane, that’s not true,” he pleaded. “Lauren and I are just friends. I swear I never cheated on you.”
He frantically scanned the crowd, searching for his mother, but she was nowhere to be seen. He needed to confront her, to stop this lie from destroying his future.
“I don’t believe you,” Jane said coldly. “You’ve been lying all along.”
“Please, Jane,” Nathan begged. “Mom never liked you. She’s trying to tear us apart.”
Jane shook her head. “It’s not just about the affair, Nathan. I know your secret. I know you’ve been hiding things from me.”
“What secret?” Nathan asked, his heart pounding.
“You lied about your family’s finances,” she spat. “You hid the fact that your family is bankrupt. You’re marrying me to save your business, aren’t you?”
Nathan froze. Part of what she said was true, but he hadn’t intended for her to find out this way. Yes, his family’s business was in trouble, and he hoped marrying Jane would help. But he loved her—he wasn’t marrying her for money.
“Jane, please let me explain,” he started, but she cut him off.
“There’s nothing to explain, Nathan,” she said, her voice breaking. “Your mother pressured you to find someone wealthy to fix your problems. I can’t believe I was foolish enough to fall in love with you.”
At that moment, Nathan wanted to tell her everything—to explain that he loved her more than anything. But he couldn’t find the words.
“It’s over,” Jane declared, turning away and walking out of the church.
Nathan stood there in silence, watching the woman he loved walk away from him. His friends tried to comfort him, but all he could think about was how everything had crumbled in a matter of moments.
He chased after her, desperate to make her understand. “Jane, wait! Please listen to me.”
She refused to look at him. “I don’t want to hear any more lies, Nathan.”
Nathan stepped in front of her, blocking her path. “I’m not lying,” he pleaded. “I swear I never cheated on you. My mother has never accepted our relationship, and now she’s trying to destroy it.”
Lauren, Nathan’s best friend, stepped out of the church. “Jane, please,” she said. “Nathan and I are just friends. He loves you. You have to believe that.”
Jane looked back and forth between them, unsure of what to believe.
“If I was after your money, why would I have signed the prenup?” Nathan asked, holding her hands. “I signed it to protect you. I would never have done that if I had bad intentions.”
Tears streamed down Jane’s face as she looked at Nathan, torn between anger and heartbreak.
“You should’ve told me everything,” she whispered. “How can I trust you after all this?”
Nathan knew she was right. He should have been honest from the start. But now, it was too late.
“I’m sorry, Jane,” he said, his voice breaking. “I love you, and I wish I could undo everything.”
Jane wiped her tears and shook her head. “I’m sorry too, Nathan. But I can’t marry someone who keeps secrets. It’s over.”
And just like that, the woman Nathan loved walked away from him forever.
Since that moment, Nathan has spent every day wishing he had been more honest, that he had fought harder for the love they once shared. But the damage was done. Lies and secrets had cost him the greatest love of his life.
