The Big Day
As the time for the ceremony drew near, Christina stood in front of the mirror, her heart racing. She took a deep breath, trying to calm her nerves.
Today was the day she had dreamed of, the day she would marry Adam, the love of her life. Would the nervous bride make it down the aisle?
Up And Early
29-year-old Christina Brighton woke up to the sound of her alarm clock, its shrill tones slicing through the early morning silence.
As she blinked away the remnants of sleep, she realized that this was the day she had been dreaming of her entire life—her wedding day.
Excitement mingled with nerves, and she couldn’t help but feel a surge of energy coursing through her veins.
Lots To Get Done
She rubbed her eyes, realizing that it was finally the morning of her wedding day. Excitement and nerves mingled within her as she glanced at the clock.
It was early, and there was so much to do before she could say “I do.” She had to designate tasks to all her bridesmaids and it was going to be difficult to coordinate.
All About Me
Christina stood in front of the mirror, her heart pounding with excitement and nerves. It was the morning of her wedding day, the biggest day of her life, and she was surrounded by the flurry of activity.
Her bridesmaids, dressed in beautiful matching gowns, were scurrying around the room, helping her get ready. But one of them didn’t seem too happy to help her.
A Bad Friend
Among her bridesmaids was Leighanne, who was usually the life of the party. However, today, she seemed distant and sullen.
Her pregnant belly was prominent, and Christina understood that the hormones were likely playing havoc with her mood.
Despite Leighann’s sulking, Christina brushed it off, focusing on her own preparations. But she hoped that the pregnant woman wouldn’t cause any interruptions for her.
Almost Time
As the hours ticked by, Christina’s anxiety grew. The wedding plans had been a chaotic mess from the start, with mishaps and miscommunications at every turn.
It felt like a miracle that they had managed to reach this point, just moments away from walking down the aisle. Everything seemed to be in order, but Christina knew that anything could go wrong.
Time Is Ticking
In her spacious bedroom, Christina was surrounded by her bridesmaids, all dressed in matching robes. They were a mix of her childhood friends and close relatives, and they were there to help her prepare for the biggest day of her life.
Christina glanced at her best friend, 28-year-old Leighanne, who had a melancholy expression on her face. She was getting moody.
A Bridesmaidzilla
Leighanne, who was eight months pregnant, had been going through a particularly emotional time. The father of her baby was AWOL and she was angry that she had to go through it alone.
Christina understood the hormonal roller coaster her friend was on and tried to be understanding. However, she couldn’t help but notice that Leighanne seemed distant and not as enthusiastic as the others.
A Bad Vibe
Her bridesmaids, clad in matching robes, bustled around the room, creating a lively atmosphere. Christina’s best friend, Leighanne, was still a little off. She sulked in the corner, not participating in the laughter and joy that filled the air.
Christina’s concern grew, but she understood that Leighanne’s pregnancy had been causing her discomfort. But she was part of the wedding now, so she couldn’t ask her to leave.
Some Cheering Up
Despite Leighanne’s mood, the morning progressed in a flurry of laughter, champagne, and hair and makeup preparations.
The bridesmaids kept Christina entertained, making her forget the mounting stress and anxiety she had been experiencing in the lead-up to the wedding.
“Come on, Leighanne, we need your help!” Christina called out, trying to lighten the mood. “It’s my big day, remember?”
Not So Interested
Leighanne managed a weak smile but didn’t join in the preparations. Christina brushed it off, knowing that her friend had her reasons.
She had always been a little quirky. As the time to leave for the venue drew nearer, Christina found herself getting more and more nervous.
She was a perfectionist and had planned every aspect of her wedding meticulously. But little did she know that the universe had some surprises in store for her.
Why Me
The wedding plans had been a disaster from the start. Everything seemed to go wrong, from the caterer canceling at the last minute to the florist delivering the wrong flowers.
Christina felt her inner bridezilla emerging, stressing about every detail. She just wanted everything to be perfect.
But just as she was about to walk down the aisle, a piercing scream echoed through the venue. Leighanne collapsed to the floor, clutching her stomach in pain. Panic filled the air as everyone rushed to her side.
The Worst Happened
Just as Christina was about to make her grand entrance down the aisle, Leighanne suddenly let out a piercing scream. “Help me someone!” she yelled and clutched her belly.
Startled, everyone turned to look at her, and their faces shifted from excitement to concern. Leighanne’s water had broken, and there was no time to reach a hospital.
A Medical Emergency
There was a commotion around the bride as she entered. “Her water broke!” one of the bridesmaids exclaimed in shock.
Panic filled the air as the bridesmaids scrambled to think of a solution. Luckily, one of the bridesmaids, Emily, was a nurse and quickly sprang into action, using her knowledge to assist Leighanne with the impromptu delivery.
Baby On The Way
Realization hit Christina like a bolt of lightning. There were no hospitals nearby, and Leighanne would have to give birth right there, in the country venue. The day she had been waiting for so long was now at a standstill.
Her wedding had been turned into a delivery. She tried to choke back her tears as she watched her guests rush around Leighanne.
No Time To Waste
Emily quickly took charge, guiding Leighanne through the labor pains. All the guests were asked to go outside and enjoy the buffet while they waited.
Christina watched, her anger growing with every passing minute. Her special day had been hijacked, and she couldn’t help but feel frustrated. She felt like Leighanne planned it somehow, she was very conniving.
Delivery Day
Christina’s heart sank as she stood frozen at the altar, witnessing her friend bring new life into the world while her own dreams were crumbling around her. Was this a sign that things weren’t meant to be?
Anger and frustration began to build within her, fueling her disappointment that this special day had been overshadowed by unforeseen circumstances.
Have To Be Nice
Minutes turned into what felt like an eternity, and finally, the sound of a newborn baby’s cries echoed through the countryside venue. The cries were bittersweet to Christina’s ears.
She felt a mix of relief that Leighanne and the baby were safe and disappointment that her meticulously planned wedding had been derailed. How could she pretend on her own wedding day?
Let’s See The Baby
Christina tried to get a glimpse of the baby. She heard the tiny cry that filled the air and ruined her life. Leighanne had given birth to a baby boy, it was the worst wedding gift ever.
The room fell silent, and Christina’s anger was replaced with shock as she looked at the newborn. The baby bore a striking resemblance to her soon-to-be husband, Adam.
Something Strange
As the newborn baby boy was placed in Leighanne’s arms, Christina couldn’t help but notice the striking resemblance between the child and her soon-to-be husband, Adam.
Doubt and suspicion crept into her mind, casting a shadow over the joyous moment. She began to question the nature of their relationship and whether there had been a betrayal.
A Bad Feeling
Questions swirled in Christina’s mind as suspicion crept in. She had always trusted Adam, but this unexpected turn of events left her doubting. Why did the baby look so much like him? Did Adam cheat on her with Leighanne?
Overwhelmed by a flurry of emotions, Christina made a difficult decision. At that moment, she chose to cancel the wedding. She couldn’t bring herself to exchange vows with Adam until she knew the truth.
Being Lied Too
Christina’s heart shattered, and she made a decision at that moment. She canceled the wedding, unable to go through with it when doubts clouded her mind.
She knew she was doing the right thing. She had to figure out the truth before marrying the man she thought she loved. Adam had a lot to explain, but would he be able to clear things up?
A Painful Choice
It was a painful choice, but she needed time to sort out her feelings and confront the truth. People weren’t happy about her decision, but she needed time to think.
As the guests left, Christina sat alone, her mind racing. She couldn’t help but wonder if her fairytale love story had crumbled before her eyes. She confronted Adam and Leighanne, demanding answers.
What Have You Done
Tears welled up in her eyes as she confronted Adam, demanding an explanation. “Is that your child? Tell me the truth. Have you been cheating on me with Leighanne?”
She saw the look in his eyes. He was shocked by her accusation but was ready to give her an excuse. But the full truth would leave her more than broken.
Denial
Adam started talking, trying to prove that he had nothing to do with Leighanne’s son. Yet each of his words only made everything worse.
He started by recounting the first time Christina introduced him to Leighanne. But that alone had Christina’s mind spiraling out of control. But what happened on that particular day that would make the bride-to-be act this way?
Making New Friends
Well, it all began with a dinner invitation Christina had extended to Adam from one of her best friends. Of course, Leighanne had been in attendance, and Christina had known she’d finally get to meet him.
Christina and Adam had only started going out, and she’d been head over heels in love with him. She wanted everyone to love him as she did, not knowing what it would lead to.
Her Rock
Among the people she wanted to meet Adam was her long-time best friend, Leighanne. Friends since high school, they’d been through a lot together and had always had each other’s backs.
Leighanne had always been the shoulder Christina needed whenever life wasn’t going as expected. She was her rock, and Christina would have given anything for her. If only she knew what her best friend would do to her.
Making Plans
Knowing each other for decades meant that Christina and Leighanne had planned their entire lives together. They wanted to get married in the same month and even have kids on the same day if possible.
But as evidenced by Christina’s wedding and Leighanne’s untimely delivery, it seemed fate had other plans for them. Who would have guessed that it would all trail back to one man?
Reasons
Christina should have seen the signs. When she told Adam she wanted him to meet Leighanne, he acted like he didn’t want to. He gave her several reasons why it would be a bad idea, even stating that he was sick with the flu.
Of course, Christina had listened to him then. She’d also listened when he dodged meeting Leighanne a dozen more times. She should have known that he was hiding something crucial.
A Hidden Truth
Leighanne could never have guessed that her best friend and boyfriend had already met. More than that, she could never have assumed that they had a history between them.
Wearing him down every day, it reached a point where Adam finally agreed to meet Leighanne. But he agreed to do so under one condition that, thinking about it now, Christina realized was an odd request.
What He Wants
The condition was that none of Christina’s friends should be around when Adam met Leighanne. More than that, he requested the dinner to be at a local bar and grill on a Friday night. That way, the three of them could enjoy a few beverages of the alcoholic variety without worrying about waking up early for work.
At first, Christina had concluded that Adam had something against Leighanne. It was clear he didn’t want to meet her. She was happy that he was at least making an effort to see her. But she should have been keen on the two of them.
A Great Time
The meeting went as expected, and Leighanne pretended to meet this mysterious man her best friend finally wouldn’t stop talking about for the first time. Adam was on his best behavior, ensuring he was respectful and equally charming.
Christina worked well as a buffer, ensuring the dinner saw no dull moments. The night was going well until everything suddenly went black.
Black
Christina couldn’t explain it. All she could remember was laughing at the dinner table, happy that the most important people in her life had finally met. One minute she was tipping back her third glass of sauvignon blanc, and the next, darkness was consuming her.
She woke up the next day in bed with a mind-splitting headache, unable to remember how she got there. But that wasn’t the worst part.
Saturday Morning
Christina had been living with Adam when this happened. Since it was a Saturday morning, she called for Adam, who wasn’t in bed with her.
But she soon discovered that he wasn’t home. She tried his phone, getting his voicemail instead. Where was he, and what had happened that previous night?
He’s Back
Adam came back a few minutes past noon. He explained that after bringing Christina home, he’d returned to the bar and grill to drive Leighanne to her house.
Afterward, he came home and slept, leaving early in the morning to hang out with a friend. Christina listened carefully, her mind still banging against her skull. But even in her state, she could tell something was terribly wrong.
Something’s Off
For one, Adam hated leaving the house on Saturdays. For him, those were meant to sit in bed and eat while watching movies. So why had he left in the morning?
Secondly, he still had his clothes from the previous night, although he quickly took them off as soon as he got into the house, thinking that Christina was too tired to notice. So what did she do?
Everything’s Fine
Nothing. Christina didn’t even take her time to ponder over what had happened. Leighanne called her that afternoon, saying she had a good time meeting her boyfriend.
That alone made Christina forget about the questions that had popped into her hurting mind when Adam came home. She didn’t know what a terrible mistake she was making.
Just Friends
What followed was several months of Adam and Leighanne building their relationship as friends. Christina was delighted, seeing all this unveil right before her eyes.
When she told Leighanne that she wanted to spend the rest of her life with Adam, she saw a shadow of a frown pass by her face. But she didn’t fixate on it because this was her best friend. There was no way she would be out to ruin what Christina and Adam had. Or was there?
I Want The Truth
Life continued, and for the remainder of the time Adam and Christina were together, they went through all the motions couples go through.
There were good times and bad, each fortifying their relationship. Sitting at her ruined wedding now, Christina wondered if she’d missed something before. She looked at Adam in the eyes, hers swallowed by tears. “I want the truth,” she said.
Denial
He denied any wrongdoing, pleading his innocence. However, Christina couldn’t shake the nagging feeling that something was amiss.
She had intuition on her side and just knew something was off. He was lying about something and the evidence before her eyes was too strong to ignore.
You Lied To Me
Amidst tearful confessions, Christina tried to discover the truth. Finally, she was about to get the truth out of her soon-to-be husband.
But something could have easily happened between the two, and Christina could never have known. The only way to know the truth would be to get it out of him. But she had no idea what consequences would follow.
How Could It Happen?
“Adam, how could this happen?” Christina’s voice trembled with a mix of anger and sorrow. “This baby, he looks just like you. Is there something you haven’t been telling me?”
The bride-to-be had tears rolling down her cheeks. She couldn’t believe what was unfolding in front of her. But her husband’s explanation would be less than satisfactory.
Denial
Adam’s eyes widened, shock and confusion etched across his face. “Christina, I swear to you, there’s nothing between me and Leighanne.”
Her husband continued his excuses, “I would never betray you like that. This is as much a surprise to me as it is to you.” But was he telling the truth?
Anger And Doubt
Christina’s heart wavered between anger and doubt, desperately wanting to believe her husband’s words. “But the resemblance, Adam. It’s uncanny. How can you explain that?”
Earlier that day, she would never have believed her whole world would be crumbling down like this. But she didn’t know how deep the lies went.
Big Fat Liar
Adam stepped closer, his voice earnest. “Sometimes, children just bear a striking resemblance to others, even when there’s no blood connection.
He continued pleading with her, “I promise you; I have been faithful to you. Leighanne and I are just friends.” But she couldn’t accept that in light of the circumstances.
Silence
Leighanne kept silent the whole time, but her face looked like she had something important to say.
She just had to muster up the courage to confront her fiance head-on. If she didn’t, then she would never find out the truth and how far everything was from the truth. Was he loyal or not?
A Life Of Lies
Tears welled up in Christina’s eyes as she grappled with her emotions. She wanted to believe Adam, she really did. But she knew that wasn’t the truth.
Confusion and hurt clouded her judgment, torn between the evidence before her and the love she had once shared with Adam. Was it all a lie?
Didn’t Know What To Believe
“I don’t know what to believe anymore. This wedding was supposed to be the start of our life together, but everything has gone so wrong.”
The bride had no idea what to do anymore. Adam had always been her rock, but now it felt as if he could have been taking advantage of her love the entire time.
A Casanova
Adam reached out, gently taking Christina’s trembling hands into his own. “I know this is a lot to process, but please, trust me.”
He always managed to reassure her, even at the worst of times, but this was different. His usual charm wasn’t as effective as it normally was, and the bride still had plenty of doubts in her mind.
Work Through Things
We can work through this. Let’s take some time to figure things out, to find the truth together. I love you, Christina, and I would never jeopardize our relationship.”
She looked around her at the empty wedding seats. If she was right, then he had caused this, even if it wasn’t directly. That’s when the anger bubbled up inside her again.
Looking Into His Eyes
Christina looked into Adam’s eyes, searching for the truth. She knew that he was lying. Leighanne had decided to keep the baby a secret, hoping to spare Christina from pain.
But fate had other plans, revealing the truth at the worst possible time. Christina felt a whirlwind of emotions—betrayal, anger, and heartache.
Interrogating Him
Christina interrogated her husband, hoping to finally get the truth out of him. She had seen his charismatic charm used on countless occasions, but it wouldn’t work this time.
All she needed to know was the truth, then she could move on with her life. But she didn’t know how much the truth would hurt her in the end.
The Truth
Chritina’s sad face turned to one of anger and fury. She was going to get the truth out of him. Clearly, Adam wasn’t ready for her to show her stern side, thinking she’d roll over.
Under the pressure of her up in his face, he finally caved and told her the truth. But it would have Christina glad she never went through with the wedding.
Uncertainty
A tear rolled down his cheek as he told Christina what had happened a few months before he and Christina met. He’d met Leighanne at a party and spent the night with her.
At the dinner party where he pretended to meet her for the firs time, the same thing happened after he took Christina home. He’d wanted to tell her what he’d done, and hated himself for it. But why didn’t
An Affair
Adam feared Christina would leave. But nine months ago, he had a moment of doubt and felt uncertain about marrying her. That’s when he made another stupid decision, he went to Leighanne for advice, but it didn’t end in talking. Adam ended up having an affair with Leighanne that night.
They decided it was a mistake, but there were unforeseen repercussions. Christina’s heart broke into a thousand pieces. But she was glad she finally got the truth out of him. But she had no idea what he had already decided to do now that she knew he was unfaithful.
All A Lie
Betrayal and heartbreak tore through Christina’s soul, but she found strength within herself to move forward. She knew she had to start thinking about herself instead of as a couple as she had done for years.
But Adam was so sleazy that he wouldn’t even stick around now that the truth was out. He didn’t want to be embarrassed and told her something that put her at her lowest point.
Abandoned
He got up and walked away from her before saying, “Leighanne treats me better, and now I have a kid to look forward to so goodbye!”
She couldn’t believe how cold he could have been. She felt like she was abandoned because Adam decided to be with Leighanne instead. She knew it was because of the baby but it still hurt.
Her Self-Worth
The canceled wedding became a turning point, a moment where she realized that her self-worth didn’t depend on anyone else.
She decided to embark on a journey of self-discovery and healing. If she didn’t do that, then she would have gone crazy with the grief of learning who her love really was. But things started looking up.
On Her Own Terms
Days turned into weeks as Christina wrestled with her feelings. It was a difficult journey, but she knew she needed to confront the past to move forward.
She met with Adam and Leighanne, acknowledging the mistakes and hurt caused but things were never the same between them. The two selfish people seemed uninterested in trying to make amends, so she left them behind and decided to never look back.
Slowly Mending
As time passed, Christina’s wounds slowly began to mend. She surrounded herself with a support system of friends and family, who uplifted her when the weight of her broken dreams threatened to overwhelm her.
Through therapy and self-reflection, she learned to let go of the bitterness and find forgiveness within her heart. She would take the higher road and be better off because of it.
Disclaimer: To protect the privacy of those depicted, some names, locations, and identifying characteristics have been changed and are products of the author’s imagination. Any resemblances to actual events, places, or persons, living or dead, are entirely coincidental.