Adeline, a longtime friend of Malcolm, had known him since they were kids and had shared many memories growing up together. When Malcolm shared the news of his engagement to Aurelia, she couldn’t contain her excitement. Though they had only crossed paths twice before their wedding day, Malcolm found himself utterly captivated by her.
As the wedding day dawned, the church glowed with gentle candlelight and the hum of cheerful chatter. Malcolm stood at the altar, exuding calmness, with his best friend Tristan right beside him. Adeline settled into her seat in the front row, a warm buzz of excitement filling the air as the celebration drew near.
Aurelia stood at the far end of the aisle, wearing a gown that glimmered like silk under the moonlight. Her steps were deliberate, graceful at first sight, but as she approached, an unsettling feeling began to creep in. She held her shoulders tight, and her feet barely showed from under the hem. Adeline leaned in closer to Malcolm’s cousin, Colette, who was sitting right next to her.
Colette mentioned that Adeline should feel nervous, but she made an effort to shake it off. As Aurelia approached, her unease intensified. Her posture seemed overly stiff, and the way her gown draped around her ankles felt off. A gentle laugh echoed from the back pews, and a voice softly murmured, “Floating.”
Adeline felt an unusual flutter in her chest, a sign that something was truly amiss. Malcolm raised his eyes, a broad and hopeful smile on his face, but Tristan simply blinked and turned his gaze elsewhere.
As Aurelia made her way to the middle of the aisle, Adeline felt she couldn’t hold back any longer. Every instinct told her that something wasn’t right, and she understood that Malcolm would expect her to take action if there was any sign of danger or deceit.
As she got closer to the bride, she bent down a bit and carefully lifted the edge of her gown. A collective gasp echoed through the church, and Adeline found herself unable to comprehend what lay hidden beneath the fabric. She noticed sleek black shoes meant for men, not the delicate heels of a bride, along with the fabric of trouser legs.
As she let the dress hem fall, she stumbled back, her heart racing. The bride, shedding her doubts, stood poised and calm, then gently raised her gloved hand to lift the veil with deliberate grace. Below was the face of a stranger, a man with short brown hair and a sly, teasing smile. Gasps filled the air, and Adeline caught Colette’s stunned exclamation along with the sound of guests shifting in their seats to catch a glimpse.
At a wedding, Malcolm finds himself face to face with his friend Tristan, who is caught in a moment of public betrayal. Tristan, a participant in the wedding alongside Malcolm, uncovers the affair between Malcolm and Aurelia, who had once urged them to grasp the pain of betrayal. This discovery prompts Malcolm to reflect on his emotions and the reality of his history.
Aurelia, the bride who wasn’t what she seemed, found out about Malcolm’s betrayal. In a twist of fate, she left a partner in her wedding dress to expose him to the world. The crowd whispers among themselves, and a few guests decide to leave, unwilling to watch any longer. Malcolm attempts to brush it off, but there’s a tremor in his voice. Tristan points a finger at him, claiming that he was the one who wanted Malcolm to hurt him and break her trust.
Malcolm’s face twists in pain, and he leans in to whisper to his friend, Adeline, hoping to somehow fix what’s gone wrong. Adeline feels just as shocked and betrayed as Malcolm does, discovering his deceit and witnessing Aurelia’s revenge up close. The impersonator shook his head slowly, remarking that Malcolm got what he deserved, and then walked down the aisle, parting the guests like reeds by a riverbank.
Amidst the uproar, voices rise as individuals call out for answers and clarity. Malcolm stands frozen in place, shaking, with tears welling up in the corners of his eyes. The officiant stands there, looking lost, gripping his prayer book tightly as if it might somehow bring everything back to normal.
Adeline reaches out and touches Malcolm’s shoulder, a wave of understanding washing over her as she realizes she can’t provide the comfort he needs. He had torn apart the trust of a woman who loved him deeply, enough to say “I do,” and in response, she had opted for this harsh, public act of revenge. After the intruders left, Malcolm lowered his head, his shoulders trembling.
Outside, the author envisions Aurelia as a distant place, liberated from the chains of falsehood. She taught Malcolm a harsh truth: broken trust doesn’t just fade away; it can devastate lives with one merciless turn.
The author let out a sigh and stepped out into the sunlight with the other guests, leaving Malcolm to confront his regrets by himself.
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