Jess was in awe of how perfectly everything had come together for her wedding reception. Upon her eventual solitude, she asked to view a few of the wedding pictures. What she found in those pictures totally caught her off guard.
After a good three years together, Adam and I spoke our vows.
It was a perfect day filled with our favorite food, music, and company. Up until I requested to see a few photos taken by our photographer, I couldn’t fathom anything ruining such an idyllic day.
My favorite time of day to get married is at sunset, so Adam and I made sure to exchange vows while the sun shone on us from all sides.
It was time to celebrate after the wedding. Adam had a vision of our reception as one big celebration where everyone would have a great time.
Even though we put up a photo booth, we hired Jack and Annie to document our wedding day in order to catch every unplanned moment.
I was apprehensive about our expenditures, but Adam reassured me, “We’re doing this once.” “Let us make enduring memories together, Jess,” he whispered, planting a kiss on my hand.
I saw Annie relaxing by herself during the reception, while Adam and his groomsmen enjoyed themselves.
She laughed and said, “I’m just catching my breath,” while sipping a martini. “Everything is under control with Jack.”
Seizing the chance, I took a seat beside her. “May I see a few pictures? I asked to see my outfit from behind since I was fascinated.
Annie said, “Of course,” her cheeks turning scarlet as she took a slower sip of her beverage.
Annie was drinking when I looked aside to survey the space.
“However, you look amazing,” she said, reaching for her camera.
“My mom made a joke about how big my rear looked on the dress,” I chuckled as the warmth of the champagne enveloped me.
Annie began to go through the pictures while supporting the camera on her knee.
The photos, which showed our guests having a terrific time, made me grin.
However, as I looked closely at a vivid picture of my parents and me, I saw something shocking in the backdrop.
I spotted Adam and Annie sharing a quick kiss that was captured in the frame.
To verify my suspicions, I zipped in, and sure enough, there it was.
Annie’s face became a deep purple as she almost choked on her drink.
My breath caught. Only three hours into our union, Adam had already cheated on me.
“Stay put,” I said to Annie. “Speak nothing at all.”
Annie nodded, startled and with wide eyes.
Really however, what was she expecting? When I learned of this betrayal during my own wedding, I was determined to damage her career.
I took Annie’s camera and gave it to the DJ, who was playing hits as we showed off different photos of Adam and me taken over the years.
“Are you sure?” he asked after hearing about my strategy.
“Definitely,” I said.
I struggled to listen as my father talked about love and my decision to choose Adam because I was reminded of the subtle tensions that had existed between Annie and Adam when we first met Jack and Annie.
It seemed unthinkable that Adam could be unfaithful to me because I had trusted him so much.
My father raised his glass to our future, and then it was my chance to give Adam his wedding gift.
Adam had talked about his mystical connection to Iceland ever since our second date.
“Jess, there’s something about the lava caves and elephant rock. It has a magical feeling. He had thought, “Perhaps I was from there in a previous life.”
I had arranged our honeymoon as a surprise because Adam and our families would be splitting the costs of the wedding.
I eagerly picked up the microphone to tell him about his ideal trip to Iceland. Adam was clearly touched by what I said.
I gestured to our DJ, Duncan.
Abruptly, the picture of Annie and Adam appeared on the television.
Annie attempted to hide her expression as Adam’s collapsed. There were murmurs of surprise instead of the happy jubilation that had been the atmosphere.
Adam quickly led me outside, out of the curious sight of our visitors.
“Jess, I’ve known Annie since we were teenagers,” he blurted out. The planning of the wedding brought back memories. It was a transient error.
With tears running down his cheeks, he pleaded for mercy. However, I wasn’t feeling forgiving, especially after our vows.
If the circumstances had been different, my response might have been different. But only a few hours following marriage? Not at all.
I filed for annulment the next day, leaving the shattered pieces of failed promises in our wake.
It was left to Adam and Annie to resolve the issue.
I invited my sister to come instead because I still had my honeymoon to enjoy.
Now, while I sip hot chocolate in our hotel room, I think about what might have happened if I hadn’t seen that picture: a forgotten married existence.
Has an experience as heartbreaking occurred to you before?