Just as I was about to say “I do,” the words ready to spill from my lips, the grand church doors burst open with a loud bang. A booming voice resonated throughout the sanctuary, startling everyone from their seats. It was my father, and what he shouted next didn’t just halt my wedding—it broke my whole world apart.
The day started off like something out of a dream. The gentle sunlight streamed through the stained glass windows, casting colorful patterns across the room. I found myself seated before an elaborate mirror in my dressing room, carefully adjusting the soft, intricate folds of my wedding gown. My heart raced, filled not with nerves, but with sheer excitement. This was it—the day I had always imagined would be just beyond my grasp.
“You look absolutely stunning, Celia,” my best friend and maid of honor, Julie, said, her eyes glistening with emotion as she carefully adjusted my veil.
I smiled, feeling the corners of my lips quiver just a bit. “I can’t believe this is really happening,” I murmured, my voice just a soft breath.
“Absolutely, it’s happening,” Julie said with a bright smile. “You and Luke are perfect for one another.”
I nodded, my mind drifting to the man who was waiting for me at the altar. Luke burst into my life like a summer storm—surprising and overwhelming. It was just eight months ago that we crossed paths at a charity gala. He seemed charming, attentive, and kind, or at least that’s what I believed. After so long, I finally felt recognized, understood, and cherished just for being myself.
“You’ve come so far, Celia,” Julie said gently. “You truly deserve this happiness.”
I looked down at my hands, gently running my fingers over the fabric of my dress. I had spent a significant part of my life struggling with insecurities, often feeling like my wheelchair overshadowed who I truly was inside. Having been born with a spinal condition, I encountered numerous challenges throughout my life. However, meeting Luke reignited my belief in love and the possibilities that come with it.
“Alright, let’s get to it,” I declared, feeling my determination strengthen. Julie assisted me into my chair, and together we made our way to the grand church hall where the ceremony was set to unfold.
When the double doors creaked open, a wave of faces shifted to meet my gaze. My father, Edward, stood behind my wheelchair, his hands firm and reassuring as he helped me navigate down the aisle. My breath caught in my throat when I spotted Luke at the altar, his eyes sparkling with love. He appeared to be the ideal groom, and for a brief moment, it felt like the world shrank down to just the two of us.
“You’ve got this,” my father said softly, leaning down as we arrived at the altar. “You look absolutely gorgeous, my dear.”
“Thanks, Dad,” I said softly, holding his hand tightly.
The ceremony started, and I felt a rush of emotion fill my chest. The priest’s words enveloped me like a comforting wave, and I caught Luke’s gaze, his smile radiating warmth and kindness.
“Do you, Luke, take Celia to be your lawfully wedded wife?” the priest inquired.
Luke held my hands more firmly. Just as he was about to speak, a loud crash echoed through the church. The doors burst open, and everyone turned to see my father, his face twisted in anger.
“STOP THIS WEDDING!” he shouted, rushing down the aisle. The audience buzzed with whispers, and I felt my heart sink.
“Dad?” What are you up to? I spoke in a hushed tone, feeling utterly embarrassed. “You’re messing everything up!”
“No, Celia,” he replied, his tone resolute. “I’m here to save you.” This guy isn’t who he says he is.
Luke tensed next to me, his face changing from bewilderment to a protective stance. “Edward, come on, let’s not make a fuss,” he said, keeping his voice calm. “Any misunderstandings can be sorted out after the ceremony.”
“There’s no misunderstanding,” my father replied sharply. “Luke isn’t just deceiving you—he’s been tricking you from the very beginning.”
I stood still, my thoughts swirling in a frenzy. “What do you mean?”
“He’s not who you think he is,” Dad said, his voice trembling with feeling. “I decided to hire a private investigator when I started noticing some inconsistencies.” Everything about him—his name, his story—it’s all a lie. He wants your money, Celia. He’s been known to do this before, going after women just like you.
As I gazed at Luke, my mind felt foggy, desperately looking for any hint of denial or comfort. “Is that really the case?” I spoke softly.
Luke’s face turned pale. “Absolutely not!” Celia, you really know me. “You know our love is genuine.”
“You shouldn’t trust him!” Dad yelled. “I can show you.”
He faced the crowd, retrieving a hefty file from his bag. “Here’s the truth about Luke,” he said, raising the documents for everyone to see. “He’s tricked at least three other women out of their savings.” He’s just pretending.
The atmosphere in the church became thick with unease. I felt as if I was gasping for air. “Luke…” I said, my voice shaking. “Please say this isn’t true.”
“I can explain,” he said, his voice shaky as beads of sweat formed on his forehead. “Celia, can I just have a moment to explain?”
Just as I was about to say something, my father moved in closer. “No need to explain.” He picked up a glass of water from the table and, without a second thought, splashed it over Luke’s feet.
A collective gasp echoed in the room as Luke instinctively jumped back, landing on his feet. The wheelchair behind him tipped over, and the church went quiet.
“Do you see?” Dad exclaimed, his voice filled with pride. “He’s been pretending to have a disability all along.”
It felt like the ground was shifting under my feet. I looked at Luke, feeling the sting of betrayal hit me hard, almost like a punch to the gut. “How could you do that?” I gasped for breath. “Was any of it actually real?”
“Celia, please,” he pleaded, taking a step closer to me. “I adore you.” That part was genuine.
“Save it,” I said sharply, my tone icy. “I don’t ever want to see you again.”
Just then, two police officers walked into the church. “Luke Harris,” one of them announced, taking a step closer. “I’m placing you under arrest for fraud.”
As they put the cuffs on him and took him away, I just sat there, completely still, with tears running down my cheeks. What was supposed to be my dream wedding has become a nightmare, and the man I believed I loved turned out to be just an illusion.
That evening, I found myself in my room, gazing at my reflection, my gown wrinkled and marked by tears. The burden of the betrayal felt overwhelming. The sound of a knock at the door interrupted my train of thought.
“Celia?” Dad’s voice echoed from the other side. “Is it okay if I come in?”
“Yeah,” I said softly, feeling too exhausted to add anything else.
He walked in, a gentle look on his face. “I’m really sorry, my dear.” I really didn’t want to spoil your day, but I just couldn’t stand by and let him hurt you.
I nodded, my voice trembling as I whispered, “Thank you, Dad.”
He pulled me into a warm embrace, his arms firm and reassuring. “You’re going to be alright, Celia.” You have more strength within you than you realize.
With each passing week, I started to feel a sense of healing. My father and I became closer, mending the spaces that had once seemed so wide. Though the scars from that day would forever be a part of me, I was determined to come out stronger, prepared to reshape my life the way I wanted.
I deserved nothing short of genuine love—the kind that was impossible to pretend.
Summarized:
Celia, who lives with a spinal condition, is on the brink of marrying her fiancé, Luke, in a beautiful church ceremony. Her best friend and maid of honor, Julie, admires her appearance, saying that she looks like a vision. Celia can’t believe the news, but Julie comforts her, insisting that Luke is the one for her. Luke has been charming, attentive, and kind, making Celia feel truly seen, understood, and loved for who she is.
Edward, Celia’s father, is seething with anger and insists that she must call off the wedding. He insists that Luke isn’t who he says he is and that he’s been deceiving her from the very beginning. Celia’s dad believes they can sort out any confusion once the ceremony is over. Despite everything, Edward firmly believes that Luke is being truthful with her and has even brought in a private investigator to look into his identity. He asserts that Luke has deceived at least three other women out of their savings and is a fraud.
Celia’s father attempts to clarify that Luke isn’t the person he pretends to be and that he has been pretending to have a disability all along. As Luke is taken away for fraud, a hush falls over the church. Celia is heartbroken and has decided not to see Luke anymore. Two police officers walk into the church, and one of them puts handcuffs on him and takes him out. Celia stands there, tears flowing down her cheeks, coming to terms with the fact that her dream wedding has morphed into a nightmare, and the man she believed she loved was merely a figment of her imagination.
In her room, Celia finds herself grieving the loss of her wedding day. Her father approaches her, ready to step in and express his regret for the betrayal. Celia nods and expresses her love for him, affirming that the wedding moment was genuine. She says to him that she will never see him again.
As the weeks went by, Celia started to heal. She and her father are becoming closer, mending the gaps that once seemed so wide. She understands that she will come out stronger, prepared to reconstruct her life according to her own desires, because she deserves nothing short of genuine love—the type that is authentic and cannot be pretended.
To sum it up, Celia’s wedding day takes a turn for the worse when she discovers that her husband, Luke, isn’t the person he pretended to be. Edward, her father, along with the police, shows up to take Luke into custody for fraud. Celia finds herself confronting the harsh truth of her marriage and the deep sense of betrayal that has shaken her world. As she moves forward in her healing journey, she comes to understand that she truly deserves authentic love— the kind that is genuine and cannot be pretended.
