Malcolm and I go way back—our friendship rooted in memories of running freely through his grandmother’s orchard, where we plucked ripe plums and climbed fences without a second thought. Over the years, we grew up, pursued our respective careers, and faced life’s challenges, but no matter where life took us, we always found a way back to each other. Our friendship was easy and dependable, a bond that never wavered.
When Malcolm told me he was getting married, I couldn’t have been happier for him. This was a man who had always said he would never settle down, yet Aurelia had somehow changed that. From everything he shared, it was clear that he had found someone special. I had met Aurelia a couple of times, once at a crowded dinner party and another time after a gallery opening. She seemed polite and charming, though a bit reserved, always hurrying off to the next engagement. Still, I trusted Malcolm’s judgment, and I wholeheartedly supported his decision.
The Wedding Day Arrives
The day of the wedding was as beautiful as I had imagined. The church, lit softly with candles, was filled with a quiet hum of excited whispers. White orchids decorated the pews, and a string quartet played gently, adding to the serene atmosphere. Malcolm stood at the altar with Tristan, his closest college friend by his side. As I took my seat in the front row, a wave of joyful anticipation filled the space.
Then, the music shifted, signaling the bride’s arrival. There was an undeniable excitement in the air as heads turned to the back of the church. Aurelia appeared at the end of the aisle, her gown sparkling like moonlight. She moved with a kind of grace, and for a moment, it was enchanting. Yet, something in her posture felt slightly off. Her movements were stiff, and there was an unnatural rigidity in the way she carried herself. It seemed almost as if she wasn’t fully touching the ground.
Unease Grows as the Bride Approaches
I leaned toward Colette, who sat beside me, and whispered, “Do you notice anything unusual about the bride?” Colette shrugged and reassured me, “You’re just nervous, Adeline. It’s probably just pre-wedding jitters.” But deep down, I knew it was more than that.
As Aurelia continued down the aisle, my discomfort only deepened. Her stiff posture and the way her gown pooled awkwardly at her feet left me feeling uneasy. From the back of the church, I heard someone laugh and mutter, “She’s floating,” echoing my own growing suspicion. Aurelia appeared to glide down the aisle, as if she were levitating.
I looked over at Malcolm, his face beaming with love, completely unaware of the strangeness unfolding. Tristan, standing beside him, briefly glanced my way before turning his attention back to the ceremony. But at that moment, I couldn’t stay seated any longer. Something wasn’t right, and I couldn’t ignore it any longer.
A Sudden Revelation at the Altar
Unable to quell the sense of urgency in my gut, I stood up and walked down the aisle, ignoring Colette’s shocked protests. The eyes of the congregation were now upon me, but I couldn’t back down. As I approached Aurelia, she stopped. Her head tilted slightly, clearly surprised by my approach. With trembling hands, I gently lifted the hem of her dress.
The room went completely silent, followed by a collective gasp. Beneath the bridal gown, instead of delicate bridal heels, there were sleek black men’s shoes. And beneath the dress, instead of the graceful legs of a woman, I saw trousers. It was impossible to ignore now—it wasn’t Aurelia standing before us.
As the dress fell back into place, the man in the gown reached up, removed the veil and wig, and revealed a man’s face. The crowd was stunned into silence as the man’s sly grin spread across his face.
The Betrayal Unfolds
“What’s going on?” Malcolm’s voice shattered the silence, his tone full of confusion and disbelief.
At that moment, I thought Tristan would step forward and explain the situation, but instead, he smiled coldly at the man in the dress. My gut twisted as the betrayal between friends became evident.
Malcolm, dazed and struggling to make sense of it all, rushed forward. “Where’s Aurelia? What’s happened to her?” he asked, his voice shaking with panic. The man in the gown, now calmly removing the veil, responded with unsettling ease. “She’s safe. She left days ago,” he said nonchalantly. “Before she left, she wanted you to understand the weight of betrayal.”
The man’s words hung in the air, and I could barely process the magnitude of what had just been revealed. Aurelia, it seemed, had discovered Malcolm’s affair with Sabine, his colleague. She had planned this elaborate ruse to expose him, using this man as an imposter to publicly shame him on their wedding day.
