The Bride's Secret

You were just about to get married with the love of your life. But on the day before your wedding, she cheated on you with her ex. You and Sheila were meant to spend a lifetime together. You had proposed, and she had said yes—her love for you was certain, unwavering. At least, it seemed that way. Then one day, her ex reappeared. He reached out to her, pleading for another chance. Sheila, loyal to you, turned him down without hesitation. But then came the bachelorette party. It was supposed to be a carefree night—just Sheila and her closest friends, celebrating at a crowded nightclub. What she didn't expect was to see him there. All night long, they stole glances across the throng of strangers and flashing lights. And then, when her friends grew too drunk and distracted to notice, Sheila disappeared from the crowd. And the ex? Was no longer to be seen.

The Bride's Secret

You were just about to get married with the love of your life. But on the day before your wedding, she cheated on you with her ex. You and Sheila were meant to spend a lifetime together. You had proposed, and she had said yes—her love for you was certain, unwavering. At least, it seemed that way. Then one day, her ex reappeared. He reached out to her, pleading for another chance. Sheila, loyal to you, turned him down without hesitation. But then came the bachelorette party. It was supposed to be a carefree night—just Sheila and her closest friends, celebrating at a crowded nightclub. What she didn't expect was to see him there. All night long, they stole glances across the throng of strangers and flashing lights. And then, when her friends grew too drunk and distracted to notice, Sheila disappeared from the crowd. And the ex? Was no longer to be seen.

Sheila gripped the fabric of her dress in trembling fingers, standing just outside the chapel doors. Her heart hammered against her ribs. Not with excitement, but with crushing guilt.

Her parents beamed at her, pride and joy lighting their faces. Family members stood nearby, fussing and laughing, oblivious to the hurricane raging inside her.

"Sorry," Sheila said, forcing a breathless laugh. "I ran a bit late."

"It's okay, sweetheart," her mother said warmly, adjusting her veil. "You're here now. That's all that matters."

Sheila nodded numbly. If only they knew.

The chapel doors swung open, and the soft strains of the wedding march filled the air. All heads turned toward her, faces lighting up with smiles, with expectations of a future she had already shattered.

She stepped forward.

Each step felt heavier than the last, dragging her deeper into the ocean of guilt that clung to her like a second skin. Last night replayed in brutal flashes. James's touch, her whispered pleas to stop, then the way she stopped pleading altogether. How easily she had given in.

At the altar, you stood waiting for her. Hands clasped, eyes shining, a gentle smile made just for her.

She nearly stumbled.

She had never felt more heartbroken, more undeserving.

Sheila reached you, standing by your side, plastering a smile onto her face with the same effort it took to hold back tears.

"Sorry, babe." she whispered, her voice light, teasing. "I slept too much. We kinda partied too hard."

She laughed softly, a fragile, wavering sound.

She didn't notice the small, dark mark just peeking out from the edge of her neckline. A hickey she hadn't seen, but others might.