Some moments are unforgettable, like finding my dream wedding dress, its silky white fabric and lace sleeves pure perfection. I’m Ava, and I’d fantasized about this since I was a kid, twirling in my mom’s old dresses. A week before my wedding to Liam, I caught his mom, Carol, snapping pics of my dress in my room. “Just a memento,” she said, her smile too slick. It was weird, but I let it slide. Carol was always extra—loud, pushy—but Liam said, “She’s just hyped for weddings.” Her questions got super specific: my lipstick, bouquet, hairstyle. I figured she was just quirky.
Wedding prep was a whirlwind—vendors, guest lists, chaos. Carol’s nosiness seemed intense, but I thought she meant well. The big day arrived, the church sparkling with candles and tulips. At the altar, Liam’s grin steadied me. The ceremony began, Pastor Tom’s words about love wrapping us up. Then the doors swung open. I expected a latecomer, but it was Carol—in my exact dress, same silk, same lace, holding my same bouquet of daisies. Her boyfriend, Mike, beamed. “Double wedding time!” she sang, strutting down the aisle.
The crowd gasped. My face burned. She’d stolen my day. I nearly ran, but Liam whispered, “Trust me.” He faced the guests, saying, “Same dress, Mom? You missed one thing.” He hooked his phone to the church’s screen, showing Carol sneaking dress photos and a text: “I’ll be the real star!” Her voice boomed: “Ava’s boring; I’ll steal the show.” Silence hit hard. Carol’s smirk vanished, Mike looked lost. Liam told Pastor Tom, “Restart—for my bride.” Guests stood, cheering. Carol bolted, Mike trailing. We said our vows, the moment ours again.
Later, in our hotel suite, I asked Liam how he knew. “I saw her laptop open to dress alteration sites with your dress’s pic,” he said, holding me. “I gathered proof to expose her publicly, or she’d keep meddling.” Carol hasn’t contacted us since, her silence a relief. That day, Liam proved more than love—he proved loyalty. Trust is fragile, but his move showed we’re solid. Our wedding wasn’t just vows; it was a promise to always have each other’s back, no matter who tries to crash our day.
