Weddings are meant to be joyous, but as I watched Shanize glide toward the altar, I couldn’t ignore the unease gnawing at me. Something was off, and I was about to uncover the truth that would leave everyone in shock.
Dave and I had been best friends for over three decades. We shared childhood secrets, teenage antics, and countless memories. When he told me he was marrying Shanize, a radiant and confident woman he had met a year ago, I couldn’t have been happier for him. For someone like Dave, who swore he’d never settle down, this wedding felt like a dream come true.
On the big day, the ceremony was picture-perfect. The church was adorned with flowers, soft music filled the air, and Shanize looked like a goddess in her pristine white gown. But as she walked down the aisle, something about her movements didn’t feel right.
At first, I thought I was imagining it. Weddings make everyone nervous, right? But as Shanize approached, I noticed her steps were small and hesitant, far from the graceful strides you’d expect. The dress moved oddly too, almost as if it wasn’t flowing naturally.
I turned to Dave’s sister, Heather, and whispered, “Do you see that? Something’s wrong with Shanize’s walk.”
Heather glanced toward the aisle and shrugged. “You’re overthinking, Janice. It’s probably just wedding jitters.”
But I couldn’t shake the feeling. The closer Shanize came to the altar, the more apparent it became that her movements were unnatural. Whispers began to spread among the guests, adding to my growing unease.
“She’s gliding,” someone murmured behind me.
That word struck a chord. It was exactly what I was seeing — she wasn’t walking like a bride, but gliding as if something concealed beneath her dress was controlling her movements.
When Shanize reached the altar, the unease in the room was palpable. Dave stood there, his face glowing with love and happiness. But my instincts screamed that something was terribly wrong.
Unable to resist, I stepped forward, ignoring Heather’s sharp warnings. My hands trembled as I reached out to lift the hem of Shanize’s gown. My heart raced as I slowly revealed the truth hidden beneath.
What I saw stopped me in my tracks. Instead of delicate bridal shoes, I found large, polished men’s shoes. My breath hitched, and I knelt lower to get a better look. That’s when I noticed the outline of suit pants beneath the gown.
This wasn’t Shanize.
I looked up at the figure before me and froze. A veil covered most of the face, but now that I was closer, I could see the sharp angles of a man’s jawline. My stomach dropped.
“Janice, what are you doing?” Dave’s voice cut through the silence, his joy replaced with confusion.
I didn’t know how to answer.
The figure before me stood tall and smirked. Slowly, he reached up to remove the veil, letting it fall to the ground. Gasps filled the church as the wig came off, revealing the short, dark hair of a man.
It was Dave’s best man, standing there in Shanize’s wedding dress.
“Surprise,” he said, his voice dripping with smug satisfaction.
The church erupted into chaos. Guests whispered furiously, some standing to leave while others stared in stunned disbelief.
“Where’s Shanize?” Dave demanded, his voice trembling.
The best man’s smirk widened. “She’s gone, Dave. She left days ago.”
Dave’s face crumbled. “What? Why? What is this?”
“She found out about you and Vanessa,” the best man said coldly, his tone cutting through the noise. “The bridesmaid you’ve been sneaking around with? Shanize knew. She asked me to do this — to expose you for the liar you are.”
The room fell silent. All eyes turned to Vanessa, whose pale face confirmed the truth.
Dave staggered back, his face ashen. “No… this isn’t happening,” he muttered.
“Oh, it’s happening,” the best man replied. “Shanize wanted everyone to see who you truly are.”
The weight of the revelation hung in the air. Dave looked at me, his eyes pleading for understanding. But I had none to offer.
“Dave,” I whispered, shaking my head. “What have you done?”
The best man turned and walked away, leaving Dave standing at the altar — broken, exposed, and utterly alone.
