‘What… What the hell is this?’ His voice cracked, filled with disbelief.
The guests began to whisper, their voices filling the room like a swarm of bees.
The man in the dress — the fake Shayne — stood up straight, a smirk spreading across his face. Slowly, deliberately slowly, he reached up and pulled the veil from his head, letting it fall to the floor. Then he removed his wig, revealing short dark hair. The transformation was complete, and the church erupted in confused exclamations.
‘Surprise,’ he said, his voice full of smug satisfaction. ‘You didn’t even notice, did you?’
Dave blinked, his mouth opening and closing like a fish in water. ‘Where’s Shanice?’ he demanded, his voice barely under control. ‘Where is she?!’
The man—Dave’s best man—smiled and shook his head. ‘She left, Dave. She left a few days ago. But don’t worry, she knew about this. She asked me to do it.’
The murmurs in the church grew louder, and I heard people shifting uncomfortably in their seats. I stood frozen, unable to comprehend what I had heard. Dave’s best friend—the one standing there in Shaniz’s wedding dress—was involved in this?
Dave’s face contorted with embarrassment and anger. ‘What the hell are you talking about? What did you do to her?’ His voice rose with panic, and he stepped forward, clenching his fists. ‘Where is she?!’
The best man raised his hand, urging calm, though his eyes sparkled with triumph. ‘Oh, she’s safe. Don’t worry. But she wanted you to feel this moment, Dave. She wanted you to understand what it’s like to be blinded.’
Dave’s confusion deepened. ‘What are you talking about?’
Shafer smiled a cold, sharp smile that didn’t reach his eyes. ‘She found out, Dave. About you and Vanessa.’ His voice dropped to almost a whisper, his words tinged with malice. ‘The bride’s friend you were secretly seeing? Shayne knew.’
The air left the room. Dave’s face drained of colour, his eyes widening in horror. ‘No… no, that’s not… That’s not true.’
‘Oh, but it’s true,’ interrupted the best man, his tone malicious. ‘She found out a few days ago. She could have called off the wedding, but what would be the point? No, she wanted everyone to see what you’re really like.’
My knees buckled, and I grabbed the back of the bench to support myself. My thoughts raced. Dave? Cheating on Shanice with one of the bridesmaids? I glanced at Vanessa, sitting a few rows away from me. Her face was pale, her hands were shaking, and she was staring at the floor, unable to meet anyone’s gaze.
Dave shook his head frantically. ‘No, no, it can’t be.’
But the best man stepped forward, his voice rising with every word. ‘It is happening, Dave! You betrayed her! You threw away your chance at happiness for a cheap fling, and now you’re paying for it.’
Chaos reigned in the room. Guests talked amongst themselves, asking questions, trying to understand what had just happened. Some stood ready to leave, while others stared in bewilderment at the man in the wedding dress, still standing proudly at the altar.
Dave’s eyes were wild with panic, and he looked at me as if I could somehow save him from this nightmare. ‘Janice,’ he gasped, reaching out to me. ‘Please, you have to believe me. It’s not what it looks like!’
I looked at him, my heart breaking. ‘Dave… what have you done?’
Silence fell over the church again, and the cold voice of the officiant cut through the air like a knife. ‘This is your punishment, Dave. For what you did to her.’
With that, he turned on his heel, leaving Dave standing alone — broken, exposed, and utterly devastated.