I’m Cassandra, and I thought I knew my future husband until six months ago.
It seemed I’d found my forever.

Adam and I met at a friend’s birthday dinner two years ago. He captivated me with his magnetic energy.

His casual smile across the table made me feel like the world had stopped.

From then on, everything went swiftly.

Within six months, we lived together. We made jokes and shared routines in his one-bedroom apartment.

Every morning we had coffee, then we would take quiet nighttime strolls hand in hand, speaking about our day.

He proposed in the mountains on a weekend a year later.

I still see him kneeling near a lovely blue lake, his eyes full of love, asking me to marry him.

Everything felt ideal. Life has finally come together, I knew.
We soon chose a wedding date and began planning.

Simple—a small gathering of family and friends at a gorgeous rural site beneath string lights with a band playing our favorite music.

We chose Sarah, a nice local officiant who got to know us.

She visited us numerous times and asked about how we met, what we loved about one other, and our future goals.

At our final encounter, she cried as Adam told how I changed his life.

The big day came.

My stomach was full with butterflies, excitement, and optimism that morning. New and amazing things began here.

I received a call in the wedding suite while getting dressed with my bridesmaids.

Our wedding planner, Lily.
Hi Cassandra, slight hiccup, she murmured gently. My stomach dropped. Sarah is really sick—high temperature, no voice. No way she can succeed.”

Heart fell. This was what I secretly feared.

But Lily swiftly said, “Don’t worry. Margaret is a replacement. Experienced and progressing. Everything’s under control.”

I inhaled. Okay. Everything would be OK. My lover and I were still married.

Dad halted before walking me down the aisle.

“Sweetheart,” he whispered, “Adam seems off. Pale and nervous. Like he expects horrible things.”

I frowned. “You think nerves?”

Shaking his head. Feels different.”

I looked out and saw Adam stiffly at the altar, fumbling with his tie and nervously looking toward the entrance.

I didn’t know the woman beside him—short gray hair, blue clothing, focused gaze on the crowd. Must have been Margaret.

As the music started and we walked down the aisle, I anticipated Adam’s face to light up.

He looked like he could collapse.
Margaret spoke calmly to start the ceremony. It felt weird.

She said something unusual for a wedding promise.

“Marriage is sacred,” she said.

“Light makes loving easy. True love is shown in darkness when adversity and children arrive. When someone endures illness and terror.”

A small head tilt. Sarah didn’t intend to say this.

Margaret turned to me and murmured unforgettable words.

“Don’t marry him.”

At first, I thought I misheard her. Some perplexed guests laughed.

Adam turned red. Angry, he said, “Shut your mouth.”

I faced him. “You know her?”

Margaret persisted. “You can marry him if you choose,” she added, “but not before knowing what he’s hiding.”

The air calmed. No one laughed anymore.
What’s happening?

Adam grasped my arm. She’s insane. Get her out.”

Margaret continued. Her voice grew stronger and more confident.

“This man has a secret,” she remarked, pointing at Adam. Ask about his wife.”

“His what?” Sh0cked.

“His wife,” Margaret repeated. “And his daughter.”

Heart racing, I looked at Adam. “What’s she talking about?”

Looked away. “She lied. Making up.”

Miss Margaret ignored him.

“He married my daughter three years ago. She had their child. He disappeared the next day while she was hospitalized. No calls. No cash. He abandoned both. Serious illness affects their daughter—his daughter. He never met her.”

People gasped. My world halted.

I looked at Adam again. Is it real?
He paused. “I panicked. She was challenging. My error. I moved on. I selected you.”

I felt queasy at his comments. “You left a newborn?”

“She pushed me away!” he said. “She made staying impossible. Margaret will wreck this.”

Margaret was unmoved. “I’ll stop another woman from falling behind.”

Scanned the crowd. I saw disbelief, disdain, and grief.

My parents looked broken.

Suddenly, everything made sense.

Adam avoided answering about former relationships. He avoids talking about kids. His financial and phone privacy.

What stopped him from leaving another family?

Inhaled deeply. Removed my ring.
«I’m not marrying someone who abandons their child»

Adam reached for me. You’re erring!

I turned to Lily. Call off the reception.”

I walked down the aisle alone, heart pumping, tears threatening.

Noisy voices rose behind me. I was called by Adam.

I didn’t look back.

Later, I discovered Margaret wasn’t chosen randomly. She followed Adam for years. She offered to officiate when she heard he was remarrying.

She told me true. She saved me.

I’m forever grateful.

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