The morning light filtered softly through the curtains of the wedding venue, where Jane sat in front of a large mirror. It was her big day. As she began to apply her makeup, her movements were reflective, almost meditative. There was a quiet, introspective look in her eyes.

Standing behind her, her mother adjusted the dress on the bed. “Hair and makeup first,” she reminded gently. “And then we’ll slip you into your dress.”

Jane nodded, her hands steady as she applied her eyeliner. “I know, Mom,” she murmured.

“You’re so calm,” her mother observed. “Are you excited to see Anthony?”

Jane paused, the eyeliner hovering. “Yes,” she said softly. “He’s thrown himself into the wedding planning. I never knew he had such a knack for it.”

Her mother chuckled. “That’s my Janey, always full of surprises.”

Jane’s reflection showed a small, wistful smile. “You know, meeting Anthony was like something out of a cheesy romance novel. At the supermarket, of all places.”

Her mother’s eyes twinkled with amusement. “The story of the watermelon meeting. It’s not every day you find love in the produce section.”

Jane’s smile grew as she remembered that day—Anthony’s easy charm, the playful banter over watermelons, and their shared laughter. It all seemed like a distant, beautiful dream. But it was nice to think about as she slipped into her wedding dress.

“But you know,” she continued, her voice trailing off as she applied another layer of mascara, “I’ve always been the one who tries to make others happy. It’s what Anthony loved about me.”

“That’s true,” her mother agreed. “You’ve always been our little people-pleaser. But remember, today is about your happiness, Jane.”

She met her mother’s eyes in the mirror and was about to speak when her phone buzzed, breaking the moment. Picking it up, Jane saw an incoming voice message. Her brows furrowed as she played it in low volume so her mother wouldn’t hear.

The unknown voice filled the room: “You need to cancel the wedding, Jane. This isn’t right for you. There are things you don’t know. Secrets. Trust me, Jane. This is for the best. Cancel the wedding.”

Jane’s hand trembled slightly. Her mother, sensing the change, leaned in with concern. “What is it, honey?”

She shook her head, a storm of confusion brewing in her eyes. “It’s… it’s nothing, Mom. I have to go out for a second.”

“In your wedding dress?”

“Yes,” she said, swallowing thickly.

Ignoring the age-old superstition that it’s bad luck for the groom to see the bride in her dress before the wedding, Jane strode purposefully across the hallway.

She reached Anthony’s room at the venue, her hand hesitating for just a moment before she pushed the door open. Anthony, caught off-guard, spun around, his eyes widening.

“Jane! What are you… you shouldn’t be here in your dress,” he stammered.

Jane’s voice was steady and clear. “We need to talk, Anthony. Now.”

“What’s wrong?” Anthony’s confusion was evident in the lines on his forehead, but there was a flicker of something else in his eyes. Guilt?

“This,” Jane said, holding up her phone and playing the mysterious voice message.

The room fell silent as the voice message ended. Anthony’s expression shifted from confusion to mild amusement. “Is this some kind of joke? Who would send you that?”

Jane’s eyes searched his carefully. “Is there something you’re not telling me, Anthony?”

“No, of course not!” Anthony replied quickly. Too quickly. “It’s got to be a prank.”

Jane pursed her lips, worried. Anthony stepped closer. “Jane, you can’t let this get to you. We have a big day ahead. And remember, tomorrow’s my big business deal. This could all be part of it. You know how important this is.”

She took a step back. “So, this is just about your business deal? Is that all our wedding is to you?”

“No, no, of course not,” Anthony backpedaled. “But think about it. After tomorrow, our lives could change. We could be on our way to becoming millionaires. Don’t let some stupid message ruin everything.”

Jane closed her eyes and muttered, “I need some time to think.”

His face softened. “I understand. But please, think about us, about our future. I’ll go pick up the priest from the airport now. I’ll see you later, waiting at the end of the aisle.” He kissed her hair tenderly and left, making Jane even more confused.

Back in her room, she stood motionless. Having finished her own preparations, her mother entered the room, her expression turning to one of concern upon seeing Jane’s saddened eyes.

“Jane, darling, what’s wrong?” she asked.

Jane attempted a reassuring smile, but it faltered. “It’s nothing, Mom. Just… wedding day jitters, I guess.”

Her mother wasn’t convinced. “You can tell me anything, you know that.”

Jane pondered for a moment. But before she could decide whether to confide in her mother, a sharp knock at the door interrupted them. “I’ll get it,” she said quickly.

She opened the door to find no one there – just a mysterious package on the doorstep. Puzzled, Jane picked it up and brought it inside.

Inside, Jane found a series of photographs that made her heart sink – images of Anthony with another woman, their intimacy unmistakable.

But among the photos was a card with a message that sent a chill down her spine: “Karma will show you the way.”

Her mother gasped in shock. “Jane, what is this? Is that Anthony? Is he being blackmailed?”

Jane nodded silently, not knowing how else to explain this and feeling as if the ground had been pulled from under her feet. With trembling hands, she dialed Anthony’s number, needing to hear his voice.

Ring… Ring… The phone seemed to echo through the room, each tone hammering her heart. He never answered.

“I know this hotel,” her mother affirmed. “They have the same lamp in each room.”

“Really? Where?” Jane demanded, and her mother reluctantly told her the address. “I have to go. I’ll be back soon.”

“Be careful.”

With a nod, Jane hurried out, the photographs clutched in her hand like a lifeline to the truth. She arrived at the hotel in record time. Her heart raced as she approached the reception desk. “Hi, I need to check on a guest, Anthony,” Jane asked, clearing her throat. “His last name is Sanders.”

The receptionist, a young man with a polite smile, replied, “I’m sorry, ma’am, but we can’t disclose guest information. It’s against our hotel policy.”

Jane insisted, “Please, it’s really important. I believe he’s here, and it’s urgent that I see him.”

The receptionist’s expression remained sympathetic yet unyielding. “I understand, but I really can’t help you.”

Jane turned away, not knowing what else to do. But just then, she overheard the receptionist call out to a hotel maid. “Karma, you’re needed in room 121 for cleaning.”

Jane froze. Karma? The card! Karma will show you the way.

She turned and watched as the maid, a middle-aged woman with a kind face, acknowledged the instruction and turned her eyes to her for just a second. In that fleeting moment, Jane understood – this was her lead.

She followed her down the corridor, dreading each step, but she had to know the truth. As Karma entered room 121, Jane waited a few moments before gently trying the door. To her surprise, it was unlocked.

“Wow. You’re smart. I didn’t know if you would get my message, but it worked,” a woman said, rising from the hotel bed. “Thanks, Karma. You can go.”

The maid passed by Jane, who was still confused at the entrance, and left them alone.

“You’re the woman in the photos,” Jane murmured.

“Anya,” she introduced herself, resigned. “You’re Jane, correct? I suppose it’s time you knew everything.”

Jane whispered, “How long? How long has this been going on?”

“Too long,” Anya replied. “But I only found out about you last week. Can you believe he wanted to keep me as his mistress? That’s when I decided enough was enough. He had to be stopped.”

Before Jane could respond, a noise from the hallway caught their attention.

“Quick! It’s him! Hide and record it,” Anya said, pushing Jane toward the bathroom just as the hotel room door opened.

Anthony’s entrance was calm, as if he owned the place. Anya greeted him with a feigned warmth that made Jane’s skin crawl even if she couldn’t see it. Once she was sure they were closer to the bed, Jane opened the bathroom door slightly, took out her phone, and started recording their conversation.

Anthony’s words, his casual intimacy with Anya, cut through her like a knife. It was all the confirmation she needed – the man she was about to marry was living a lie.

Things were getting more heated, but Jane had enough – both in her soul and the video – and slipped away quickly. But instead of breaking down, she felt a piece of her old self fall away, leaving room for a new version to emerge.

Jane returned to the wedding venue and told her mother everything. Together, they devised a plan that would make Anthony regret his betrayal.

The guests gathered an hour later, and the wedding march began. Jane walked down the aisle and took her place at the altar opposite a smiling Anthony.

The ceremony proceeded, and Jane’s chest thundered as they reached the vows. When the priest signaled for her vows, she signaled to the video technician, who, as instructed, played the recording she had made in the hotel room.

Anthony’s loving words to Anya filled the room as the evidence of his infidelity appeared on the screen. The guests gasped in shock, and Anthony’s face drained of color.

Jane turned to face the crowd, her voice clear and strong. “This wedding won’t happen because my groom is a cheater. I can’t marry a man I can’t trust.”

Anthony began to protest, “No, this is a misunderstanding,” but his words fell on deaf ears. The crowd was in an uproar, but the noise was interrupted when a woman stood up. It was Mrs. Richards, Anthony’s potential business partner, the one who could put them on their way to “becoming millionaires.”

“Mr. Sanders, I cannot work with someone who lacks integrity and loyalty,” she declared. “Our deal is off, and I will make sure everyone in our industry knows about this.”

“No!” Anthony bellowed, his hand rising to stop Mrs. Richards. But she walked out, followed by a stream of grumbling guests.

Jane’s mother tripped Anthony as he tried to chase after the important businesswoman. Jane looked down at him, wrinkling her upper lip and feeling slight satisfaction at his helpless expression. She had to rub it in.

“Karma did her job, Anthony,” Jane said.

With those final words, Jane walked away from the altar, her mother by her side. In the car, Jane’s mother asked, “What now?”

“Now, we go home, pack his things, throw them out, and move on,” Jane said, nodding triumphantly.

They stopped for dinner on the way. Jane felt lighter with each passing moment because she was no longer a people-pleaser but a woman who had faced deception and emerged stronger.

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If you enjoyed this story—here’s another one: On her wedding day, the bride was left heartbroken as her fiancé disappeared, leaving her at the altar. In a surprising turn of events, she received a message request from him, shrouded in intrigue and unanswered questions. Read the full story here.

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