My mother-in-law approached me on the day of the wedding and gave me an envelope, telling me to open it before the ceremony. When I did, I was shocked by what I saw.
I had been dreaming of that day for almost five years. The day of our wedding. To get there, we had to go through a lot: arguments, separations, and relocation, but we persevered because we loved one another. Or I believed that we did. I felt like a princess from a fairy tale as I stood there in my white dress. Lights, flowers, music, smiles, and loved ones were all around me. Everything was flawless.
My mom was wiping away happy tears, my bridesmaids were straightening my veil, and the groom was looking at me across the crowd with the gentle grin that always made my heart skip a beat. Then my mother-in-law approached me as though in slow motion. Despite her apparent calmness, she appeared agitated. She caressed my hand tenderly. I turned to face her, hoping for a blessing or some encouraging words. She slipped a thin envelope into my palm and whispered in my ear, “Open this before the ceremony.” I opened the packet with shaking hands and was shocked by what I saw.
I wasn’t sure what was going on at first. It came too quickly. I briefly believed it might be a sentimental present or a wish. Her face, however, conveyed a cold determination instead of friendliness. My heart became constricted. I moved out of everyone’s way and stood near the window. I opened the envelope slowly. There were a number of pictures within. They all showed him. My fiance. My future hubby. And he wasn’t by himself. Other women were with him. Too near. Too personal. Too obvious. I went cold. Like a ringing following a tremendous noise, the world around me started to hum. My hands trembled, and a cold feeling crept into my chest. As though in a dream, I looked up, and our gazes locked.
Grinning, he stood beside the hall’s entrance. However, he appeared uneasy when he saw how I was staring at him. His eyes were filled with a momentary panic rather than bewilderment or surprise. Then I realized. It was accurate. Everything I was holding wasn’t an attempt to halt the wedding or a mean prank from my mother-in-law. My reality was this.
