Nathan waited at the altar for his fiancée, Jane, to go down the aisle in their beautiful white gown. He was appalled when she wore a long black dress and explained why she didn’t wear her wedding dress.
My wedding day was supposed to be the finest of my life, but what transpired left a horrible mental scar. I never imagined this outcome.
I met Jane through a friend and became inseparable after a few occasions. She was a lively extrovert with plenty of friends, while I was shy and avoided groups.
With her, things changed.
I wanted to be around her because she made me feel loved in ways I never thought existed. She enjoyed my presence and never made me feel unworthy of her love.
A few months into our relationship, I proposed. I knew Jane was the one, and she accepted my ring without hesitation, grinning.
One day, I told her, “I can’t believe you said yes.” “I don’t know how I got so lucky, Jane.”
I wasn’t sure I deserved someone beautiful like her.
As weeks passed, our relationship strengthened, and we decided to marry.
Everything went well when our families met. We arranged a small summer wedding with our closest family and friends to exchange vows.
Everything appeared ideal, until fate intervened.
I waited at the altar in a tailored black suit for Jane to walk down the aisle on our wedding day. I anticipated her to wear the dazzling white gown we chose weeks before.
But she didn’t.
Instead, she wore a long black dress and veil. Funeral attire.
She did this why? My thoughts. What was wrong with her?
She approached me with wrath in her eyes. The visitors stared at her with wide eyes.
At the altar, I softly grasped her hands and said, “Why are you wearing black?” What’s up?”
“I’ll tell you after the ceremony,” she added, staring at me. He stared at me blankly as if I had committed the worst sin.
“Wait!” I showed my hand.
Silence filled the church.
Tell me. Please explain your black outfit. Now,” I demanded, unaware that her next words would shatter my world.
“It’s all because of your mother,” Jane said. “She told me everything.”
“You mean what?” I requested.
Jane’s eyes filled with tears.
Jane shakily said, “She told me about you and Lauren.” “Best friend.”
“What? My mom said what about Lauren? I squinted and asked. I had no idea what Jane meant.
“She said you’ve been cheating on me with Lauren,” Jane remarked, and the guests gasped. “She said you were cheating and would leave me for her. I wear black because. To mourn our love, Nathan.”
It was unbelievable what Jane stated.
“This is not true, Jane,” I begged. I swear I never cheated on you. Lauren and I are buddies. Why would my mom say that?
I searched the crowd for my mother but couldn’t find her. I wanted to confront her to prove she lied.
“I don’t believe you,” Jane insisted. “I know you’re lying because you always have.”
I begged “Jane, please,” reaching for her hand, but she jerked away. Mom disliked you. Her goal is to sabotage. Please believe me.”
Ah, I see. The affair isn’t everything, Nathan, Jane shrugged. “I know your secret. I know you lied.”
“What secret?” I requested.
Jane glanced around the cathedral before looking at me.
“You lied about your family finances,” she swore. “You hid your family’s bankruptcy and married me to save your business with my money. Is it true?
No, I thought.
Jane was partly right, but I never wanted to expose my secret. My family business was struggling and nearly bankrupt. Yes, I believed marrying Jane would help, but not for the money!
My love for her was the major reason I married her. I had no idea how to tell her.
“Listen, Jane,” I said. “Let me explain—”
“Explain?” I was shut off. “That your mother made you find a rich woman to save the family business? I heard everything from her. I can’t believe I was so stupid to adore you!”
At that point, I wanted to say much. Trying to say I wasn’t lying, I couldn’t talk. I was speechless.
Jane shouted, “It’s over, Nathan,” leaving the church.
The guests whispered as she left. Though my pals raced over, I couldn’t let her go. She needed explanation.
“Wait, Jane!” I ran after her, shouting. “Just listen to me.”
“I don’t want to listen to your lies, Nathan,” she stated without turning.
I walked in front of her, obstructing her route.
“I swear I’m not lying to you,” I said. Mom probably said all this to you because she doesn’t like you. I never told you, because Mom didn’t like our relationship.”
“Why should I trust you, Nathan?”
Lauren left the church before I could respond.
“Jane, listen,” she said. There’s nothing between us, despite what your mother-in-law said. Nathan is your friend and loves you. Trust me.”
Jane looked at Lauren, then me. She doubted our trust.
“Look, if I wanted to marry you for your money, I wouldn’t have signed the prenup,” I told Jane, grasping her hands. “I signed it to protect your money and future. That wouldn’t have happened if I wanted your money.”
“But why did you hide your family’s finances?” she inquired. “What if you hide more? Why should I trust you?
I carefully shook my head and inhaled.
You’re right, Jane. I should have told you about my family, but I was afraid you’d leave me.” I stopped, understanding I had to finish. “Something else I never told you.”
Jane waited for me to speak with folded arms.
“My mom hates me,” I said. “She always has. My college DNA test was years ago. My father was not my biological father. When I confronted her, everything came apart. Dad fled with all the money.”
“That’s why she lied to you,” I said. “She wanted to ruin my wedding because she hates my happiness. She probably feigned to accept you and waited to wreck my relationship. Sorry I kept this from you. I felt ashamed.”
I could tell Jane was calmer then. She looked sorry for me.
You didn’t tell me because you were embarrassed? She asked. Nathan, we were meant to start again. But you hid so much from me. After all this, can I trust you?
I hate to admit it, but Jane was right. I should have told her everything in the beginning.
“I’m sorry, Jane,” I offered, looking down. “I love you despite my mistakes.”
“I’m sorry, Nathan,” she looked aside, wiping her eyes. Maybe this is the end. These are our goodbyes. I can’t live with a secret-keeper.”
The woman I loved most left me.
I cried as she drove away from the church in her automobile. I couldn’t stop her because she was right.
That day changed my life. In addition to confronting my mother and cutting all relations with her, I called Jane a million times but she never responded.
Lying, betraying, and keeping secrets cost me my love.
Inspired by true events and people, this work is fictionalized for creativity. To preserve privacy and enrich the story, names, characters, and facts were changed. Any resemblance to real people, events, or places is unintentional.
The author and publisher neither guarantee event authenticity nor character characterization and are not liable for misinterpretation. While this work is presented “as is,” the characters’ viewpoints do not reflect those of the author or publisher.