I was seconds from saying “I do” when the church doors crashed open and my father shouted that the *wedding was off*. His next words shocked me to my core.
The soft gleam of morning light poured through the stained glass, casting colorful reflections across my white gown. I couldn’t stop smiling as I checked my reflection in the long mirror. This was my special day…
“You look absolutely beautiful, Anna,” my best friend and maid of honor, Tia, cheered as she adjusted my veil.
I smiled brightly at her, my heart racing with excitement. “I can’t believe it’s finally here. I’m getting married!”
As Tia guided me into my wheelchair, a hint of nervousness crept in. I’d been born with a leg condition, so I’ve used a wheelchair all my life. But today, I pushed that aside to embrace the joy of the moment.
“Brad loves you just the way you are,” Tia reassured me, holding my hand. “You two are meant to be.”
I nodded, imagining my fiancé waiting for me at the altar. We had met six months ago at a support group. Brad was also disabled, and our connection was instant and deep.
For the first time, I felt truly valued and understood.
“Remember when we were younger?” Tia reminisced, fixing a loose curl. “You said you’d never get married.”
I laughed, thinking of my stubborn younger self. “Guess I just needed the perfect match.”
A knock at the door startled us. “Anna? It’s time, sweetheart,” my mother called.
I took a deep breath and smoothed my dress. “Let’s do this. It’s time to get married!”
The church doors opened, and all eyes were on me. A wave of confidence washed over me as my dad, James, wheeled me down the aisle.
When Brad saw me approach, his grin made my heart flutter.
At the altar, my dad leaned down to kiss my cheek. “You’re stunning, princess,” he whispered.
I smiled at him. “Thanks for being here, Dad.”
He nodded. “Wouldn’t miss it for the world, sweetie.”
As the ceremony began, I glanced at the pews for my dad’s face. He had been there moments ago, but now, I couldn’t find him. Where had he gone?
“Dear beloved,” the priest began, “we are gathered here today…”
I pushed my worry aside, focusing on Brad’s warm brown eyes. This was our moment, and nothing could ruin it.
“Do you, Brad, take Anna to be your lawful wedded wife?” the priest asked.
Brad’s grip on my hands tightened. “I d—”
Suddenly, the doors burst open with a loud bang. “STOP THE WEDDING!”
My dad stormed down the aisle, his face flushed with anger. “THIS WEDDING IS CANCELLED! YOU HAVE NO IDEA WHO THIS MAN REALLY IS!”
“Dad, what’s going on?” I shouted, horrified.
Dad reached us, pointing a finger at Brad.
“Anna, listen to me. He’s been deceiving you. He’s been fooling you since the beginning!”
I shook my head, refusing to believe it. “That’s impossible. Brad loves me!”
“He’s lying!” Dad insisted. “He’s done this before, taking advantage of trusting women like you. It was all a setup… meeting you at the support group, rushing into a relationship. He’s a con artist!”
Brad’s face went pale. “Anna, don’t listen to him. It’s real!”
I looked between them, confusion and disbelief clouding my mind. “Dad, you can’t just say things like that without proof.”
A bitter smile twisted Dad’s lips. “I’ve got proof, alright.”
Dad clapped his hands, and a waiter brought over a cup. “I’m exposing you, fraud!” Dad snarled at Brad.
Before anyone could react, my dad tossed the contents of the cup onto Brad’s legs.
Brad screamed in shock and jumped out of his wheelchair.
The church fell completely silent as I watched in disbelief. Brad was standing on two perfectly healthy legs.
Dad’s laughter echoed through the church. “It was cold water! Now you see the truth, Anna. He’s been faking his disability!”
Tears welled in my eyes as the weight of the betrayal hit me. “Brad… how could you?”
Brad’s eyes pleaded with me. “Anna, please, let me explain—”
“Explain what?” I snapped. “How you lied to me?”
“It’s not like that. My feelings are real!” he insisted.
“Save it,” I retorted.
At that moment, police officers rushed into the church. “You’re under arrest for fraud…”
“Johnson?” I gasped. Everything about him had been a lie… even his name.
I stood frozen as they cuffed him and took him away, my dreams shattering. The last thing I saw was his regretful gaze.
Hours later, I sat in my room, feeling crushed by the weight of it all. A knock came at the door.
“Anna?” It was my mom. “Your dad wants to speak with you. Can he come in?”
I sighed, wiping my tears. “Fine.”
Dad entered, his earlier anger replaced by sadness. He sat next to me on the bed, running a hand through his graying hair.
“I’m so sorry, sweetie. I know this wasn’t how you imagined your wedding.”
I couldn’t look at him. “How did you figure it out? Why didn’t you tell me sooner?”
Dad sighed heavily. “I saw him walking in the garden earlier today. Something didn’t sit right. Then I remembered he asked for money for the honeymoon, but no bookings were made. I became suspicious. I hired an investigator, and in half a day, we uncovered everything. He’s done this to other women, Anna. I wanted to expose him… publicly.”
Tears streamed down my face. “I’m such a fool.”
“No, honey,” Dad said gently, hugging me. “This is on us too… your mom and me. We were so focused on work, we lost sight of what mattered. You.”
I cried into his shoulder. “I felt so alone, Dad. He made me feel special.”
“I know. I’m so sorry. Can you forgive me?”
I nodded, wiping my eyes. “I’ll try. I’m just glad you’re here.”
Dad took my hand. “How about some ice cream? Just like old times?”
A small laugh escaped me. “That sounds perfect.”
Weeks later, I started to heal, piece by piece. One afternoon, I rolled into my art studio, eager to channel my emotions into creativity.
As I mixed colors, my phone buzzed with a text from Tia: “How are you holding up? Need anything?”
I smiled, grateful for her support. “I’m okay. Painting helps!”
“Love you! Stay strong!” she replied.
I dipped my brush into red, and a phoenix began to rise on the canvas.
Mom peeked in. “Anna? Your dad and I were thinking of ordering dinner. Do you have any preferences?”
I turned to her, touched. “How about we cook together? Like we used to?”
Her face lit up. “I’d love that.”
As she left, I looked at my painting. My heart still ached, and my trust had been shaken. But I no longer felt alone.
Later, in the kitchen, the smell of garlic and onions filled the air. Dad chopped vegetables, and Mom stirred a pot. I shaped dough for homemade bread.
“Remember Sundays like this?” Mom asked, smiling.
I nodded, a wave of nostalgia hitting me. “Before everything got so busy.”
Dad set down his knife and smiled at me. “Anna, we’re going to do better. We’ll be here for you.”
“We’ve missed too much,” Mom added, her eyes misty. “We want to make it right.”
My throat tightened. “I want that too,” I whispered.
As we cooked and laughed together, I realized that the love I had been searching for was right here all along. I just had to see it.
With a broken heart and a wedding day that never was, I’m still mending from the betrayal. I’m not fully healed, but I’m grateful my dad saved me from marrying someone who loved my wealth, not me.
