Weddings are supposed to be filled with joy, a day to remember with nothing but smiles and happiness. But as I watched Shanize walking toward the altar, a strange feeling settled in my stomach. Something felt off, but I couldn’t put my finger on what it was. I watched her closely, trying to brush off my nerves, but it wasn’t working. As I stepped forward to adjust her gown, I saw something that made me freeze.
I’ve known Dave for more than 30 years. We grew up together, went through all those awkward teenage years, and shared our secrets and dreams. So, when he told me he’d finally met someone, I was thrilled.
He introduced me to Shanize—a stunning, graceful woman he’d met only a year ago. She seemed like the one person who could make Dave settle down, and honestly, I was happy for him. Here we were, on his wedding day, a day I thought I’d never see.
Everything about the ceremony was flawless, almost too perfect. The decorations were elegant, the guests were dressed to the nines, and Shanize looked like she’d just stepped out of a bridal magazine. Her gown flowed around her like a cloud, gliding along the aisle as she took each step. But something was wrong.
At first, I thought I was just overthinking it. Weddings make people anxious, right? Maybe I was just a little too emotional. But as she took each step, I noticed her walk wasn’t what I expected. It wasn’t the graceful, confident stride of a bride heading toward her future. Her steps were small, almost unsteady, like she was struggling to keep her balance.
I leaned over to Dave’s sister, Heather, and whispered, “Do you see that?”
She frowned, looking confused. “See what?”
“Shanize,” I murmured, barely nodding toward the aisle. “She’s walking… strangely. It’s not normal.”
Heather glanced quickly in Shanize’s direction, then shrugged with a small smile. “You’re overthinking it. She’s probably just nervous. Let her enjoy her moment.”
Heather’s words were supposed to reassure me, but they didn’t. The odd feeling in my stomach only grew stronger. Something was definitely wrong. As Shanize continued down the aisle, I couldn’t shake the sense that her movements were… unnatural, almost as if she were gliding. And then, I heard it—a whisper from a man in the pew behind me. “She’s gliding…” he muttered, sounding as unsettled as I felt.
Ignoring Heather’s protests, I found myself moving closer to the aisle, my curiosity overpowering any sense of decorum. I couldn’t look away from the hem of her gown. It was almost as if I was being pulled toward it. Before I even realized what I was doing, I leaned down and lifted the edge of her dress.
What I saw underneath made my blood run cold. There, beneath the elegant bridal gown, were large, polished black men’s shoes.
I blinked, struggling to process what I was seeing. My mind raced, trying to make sense of the impossible. Slowly, I looked up and met the eyes of the person behind the veil. Up close, the truth was undeniable. The wig, the veil—these had hidden his face, but now I could see clearly. This wasn’t Shanize. This was a man.
The church fell silent, a wave of shock rippling through the crowd as people began to realize what was happening. My heart pounded in my chest as I stumbled back, looking toward Dave, who stared at me with growing confusion and fear. His once bright smile had faded, replaced with dread. “Janice…? What’s going on?” he asked, his voice shaky.
The man under the veil smirked. Then, with a dramatic flair, he reached up and pulled off the veil and wig, revealing short, dark hair underneath. “Surprise!” he announced, satisfaction dripping from his voice. “Didn’t see this coming, did you?”
A wave of gasps swept through the church, and whispers erupted among the guests. Dave looked like he was sinking, his face pale with disbelief. “Where’s Shanize?” he demanded, his voice cracking with desperation. “Where is she?!”
“She’s safe,” the man replied smoothly, his tone eerily calm. “But she wanted you to experience what it feels like to be blindsided.”
Dave’s confusion deepened, his eyes darting around as he tried to make sense of it all. “What are you talking about?”
The man’s face hardened, and his voice turned cold and sharp. “She knows about you and Vanessa,” he said, pausing just long enough to let his words sink in. “Yes, your little secret with the bridesmaid. She found out.”
Dave’s face turned white as he processed the accusation, horror dawning in his eyes. He glanced quickly over at Vanessa, who was sitting in stunned silence, her face drained of color. Her hands trembled in her lap as all eyes turned toward her. “No… no, that’s not true,” Dave stammered, his voice weak.
“Oh, but it is,” the man replied, his tone dripping with contempt. “Shanize wanted everyone to see who you really are.”
Guests murmured, some standing in shock, while others were too stunned to move. Vanessa looked down, unable to meet anyone’s gaze, her cheeks flushed with shame.
Dave, looking desperate, reached out toward me. “Janice, please… this isn’t what it looks like!” he pleaded, his voice barely a whisper.
I looked at him, my heart sinking with disappointment. “Dave,” I said softly, barely holding back my own emotions. “What have you done?”
The man’s voice cut through the air one last time, cold and final. “This is your punishment, Dave. For betraying her.” With that, he turned on his heel and walked out of the church, leaving stunned silence in his wake.
Dave’s big day, the day that should have been filled with love and celebration, had turned into a nightmare—a nightmare he’d brought on himself.
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