I was only minutes away from walking down the aisle when something caught my eye—a small folded note tucked carefully inside my bouquet. The second I saw the handwriting, my stomach dropped. Without thinking, I bolted from the bridal suite. My gown swished around me as I hurried past stunned guests, desperately searching for the person who had left me that message.
I was supposed to be marrying Ben, the man I had loved since my college years. He had always been sweet, bringing me coffee in the mornings and leaving me little love notes in my lunch bag. Lately he had been a bit distant, but I had blamed it on the stress of wedding planning. I was looking forward to getting past the chaos and settling back into our comfortable life together.
“Everly, you look breathtaking,” my cousin Emma said as she adjusted the train of my gown for what felt like the hundredth time. She pressed the bouquet into my hands. “Time to marry the man of your dreams.”
I smiled at her, silently mouthing the vows I had prepared. They were simple and heartfelt—Ben, you are my best friend, my great love, my partner in everything. We had agreed that neither of us wanted long, flowery speeches. Just honesty. Just love.
The chapel was perfect, decorated with white hydrangeas, greenery, and satin ribbons. My gown was classic, timeless. Everything had been planned down to the smallest detail.
But then I saw it. That folded slip of paper nestled among the roses. Emma had already left the room, so I was alone when I pulled it free. At first, I thought it might be a sweet surprise—a note from Ben, or maybe even something from my mom to calm my nerves.
I unfolded it, and my smile disappeared. My chest tightened, my hands began to shake, and I had to read it twice to believe the words.
This wasn’t encouragement. It wasn’t love. It was a confession that shattered everything I thought I knew.
The handwriting was unmistakable. The rounded y’s, the crisp t’s. I had seen it countless times—on shopping lists, holiday cards, and notes passed during dull college lectures. It was Susan’s handwriting. My maid of honor. My best friend.
I whispered her name to the empty room. “Susan. How could you?”
Clutching the paper in my hand, I stormed out. I had to find her. Guests and vendors turned to stare as I rushed through the halls, my dress sweeping across the floor. My brother-in-law tried to stop me, but I brushed past him. Emma caught up to me, confused, but when I asked about Susan, she admitted she’d just seen her step outside for some air.
I didn’t explain. I only ran.
Outside, I searched frantically—through the parking lot, along the paths, and finally into the formal garden tucked behind the venue. And there she was. Susan sat on a bench, her face buried in her hands, shoulders shaking with sobs.
I stood there for a moment, torn between comfort and rage. Then I lifted the crumpled note in my hand. “How could you do this to me? We’ve been best friends forever.”
Her tear-streaked face turned toward me, guilt written all over it. “I never wanted to hurt you,” she whispered. “But I couldn’t let you marry Ben without knowing the truth.”
“The truth?” My voice cracked with fury as I unfolded the paper and read the message aloud. “I’m so sorry to tell you this way, but I’m pregnant, and Ben is the father.”
The words were venom on my tongue.
Susan cried harder. “It was only once. An accident. I swear. I didn’t mean for it to happen—”
“An accident?” I snapped. “How do you accidentally sleep with your best friend’s fiancé?”
She admitted she had found out she was pregnant only two days earlier. She had wanted to stay silent, but then realized one day I might notice the resemblance between her child and Ben, and the truth would destroy me even more.
I looked down at the bouquet in my hand. Flowers that were supposed to symbolize new beginnings and eternal love now felt like mockery. I let it drop at her feet and turned away, leaving her crying on the bench.
I walked back into the chapel. Every eye turned to me as I entered. Ben stood at the altar, his face tense with confusion. Emma rushed toward me, but I shook my head.
“The wedding is off,” I announced. My voice rang out, clear and sharp. I met Ben’s eyes. “Ben and Susan had an affair. And congratulations, Ben—you’re going to be a father.”
The color drained from his face. Guests gasped, whispers spreading like wildfire. Chaos erupted—my father yelling, Ben trying to explain, his mother crying out in shock. I didn’t wait for more.
I turned and walked straight out of the chapel. The crowd behind me erupted, but I didn’t care.
Emma caught up to me on the steps outside, slipping her arm around me. “Let’s go, Everly. Come to my place. You don’t have to face this alone.”
For the first time all day, the tears spilled freely down my face.
“Let it out,” Emma whispered. “It’s the only way you’ll ever let it go.”
God, I prayed she was right.