Telha
Morning light poured through the stained glass windows, filling the room with vibrant colors that danced across my white wedding dress.
“You look stunning, Esther!” said my best friend and maid of honor, Lia, with a wide smile as she adjusted my veil.
I couldn’t stop smiling
“I can’t believe it’s finally happening! I’m really getting married!”
Lia helped me into my wheelchair, and though I felt a bit self-conscious, I was determined not to let anything cloud my joy. Living with a leg defect all my life, I knew today was meant to be perfect.
“Kevin loves you exactly as you are,” Lia reassured, squeezing my hand. “You two are perfect together.”
I nodded, picturing Kevin waiting for me at the altar. We’d met six months ago at a support group for people with disabilities. Like me, he used a wheelchair, and we instantly connected.
I never imagined marriage would be part of my future
But today, I was ready to show that I could pursue my dreams.
Just then, my mother’s voice called from outside the door. “Esther? It’s time, darling!”
Taking a deep breath, I smoothed my dress. “This is it. I’m ready!”
The church doors opened, and all eyes turned toward me. My father, Matthews, guided me down the aisle, and my heart soared when I saw 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, feeling grateful
“You’re here now, Dad. That’s what matters.”
The ceremony began, but a sense of unease crept in when I noticed my father had suddenly left his seat. Trying to focus, I looked at Kevin, his warm smile anchoring me.
Then, just as the priest asked Kevin if he’d take me as his wife, the church doors burst open. My father stormed in, his face filled with anger. “STOP THE WEDDING!” he shouted.
Gasps echoed around the room as he marched down the aisle, pointing at Kevin
“This man is a liar, Esther! He’s been deceiving you!”
My heart sank. “Dad, what do you mean?”
Kevin squeezed my hand, trying to reassure me. “There’s a misunderstanding here, Mr. Matthews,” he said firmly.
But my father pressed on. “He’s using you, Esther! He’s after your money and has done this to other women. Meeting you at the support group was all part of his plan!”
My mind reeled, struggling to make sense of his words. Could it be true? Had Kevin, the man I loved, been lying to me all along?
“Where’s your proof, Dad?” I asked, panic rising.
A twisted smile spread across his face as he clapped his hands
A waiter stepped forward, holding a cup of hot water. “Watch this,” Dad said, throwing the water onto Kevin’s legs.
To my shock, Kevin jumped up from his wheelchair, standing on two healthy legs!
The room fell silent as I stared in disbelief. My father laughed. “It was just cold water! But now you see the truth. He’s been pretending to be disabled!”
Tears filled my eyes as the awful reality set in. Kevin—or rather, Johnson, as the police called him when they arrived—was arrested for fraud. I watched in a daze as they led him away in handcuffs. Everything about him, even his name, was a lie.
Later that day, back in my bedroom, I felt the heavy pain of betrayal
A knock at the door signaled my mother’s presence, and she asked if my father could join us. When he did, his anger had faded, replaced by regret.
“I’m so sorry, sweetheart,” he began, sitting beside me. “I know today wasn’t what you imagined.”
“How did you find out?” I asked, still grappling with everything.
“I saw him walking in the garden this morning,” Dad explained. “It felt wrong, so I investigated. He’s done this before, targeting vulnerable women. I couldn’t let you marry someone like that.”
Tears flowed as the weight of it all crashed down on me. “I was such a fool.”
“No, Esther,” Dad said softly, hugging me. “It’s not your fault. Your mother and I weren’t there for you as we should’ve been. We’re sorry.”
In that moment, I realized that despite the heartbreak, I wasn’t alone. My parents were there, ready to mend the bonds we’d neglected. It was a small comfort in the midst of my pain.
As the days turned to weeks, I found peace in my art
Spending hours in my studio, painting to heal. Friends like Lia reached out, surrounding me with love and support. Slowly, I began to rebuild, focusing on the love that had always been there, waiting for me to embrace 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 I found something far more valuable: myself, my family, and the resilience to move forward.
