The morning of my wedding felt like a dream come true. Everything was perfect—the dress, the flowers, the venue filled with the people I loved. I had spent months planning every little detail, ensuring that my big day would be unforgettable in all the right ways. But as it turned out, the day would be unforgettable for a reason I never could have imagined.

I was about to marry the man I had loved for five years. Mark and I met through a mutual friend, and from the moment we started talking, it was as if we had known each other forever. He was charming, kind, and had this way of making everyone around him feel special. What I loved most was how he respected others, always treating people with kindness and never hesitating to lend a helping hand.

We became inseparable quickly, spending weekends exploring new places, binge-watching sitcoms, and dreaming about our future.

“Har,” he would tease, “if you weren’t such a good cook, I’d probably starve.”

“Good thing I love feeding you,” I’d laugh, watching him polish off another plate of lasagna.

Mark worked as a software developer, often pulling late nights at his job, but I never minded. I admired his dedication. As for me, I was living my dream as a teacher. My students were my little rays of sunshine, and despite the chaos, I loved every moment of my job.

When we got engaged, we wanted our wedding to be a celebration filled with love and fun.

“Let’s make it a wedding people will remember forever,” Mark said.

I grinned. “How about we add some fun games? Things that get everyone involved?”

“That’s perfect,” he said, his eyes lighting up. “Trivia, charades, maybe even a karaoke battle.”

We even asked my sister, Melissa, to help with ideas, but she didn’t seem particularly interested.

“You guys figure it out,” she had shrugged. “Just tell me what to do.”

Still, with or without her help, Mark and I put together the perfect wedding.

“This is going to be the best day of our lives,” I told him.

“It will,” he promised. “I can’t wait to see you walk down the aisle.”

I believed him. I believed in us. We were the perfect team, and nothing could go wrong.

I couldn’t have been more wrong.

The morning of the wedding was filled with excitement. I stood in front of the mirror, smiling at my reflection, trying to soak in every moment. Everything felt surreal.

As I arrived at the venue, the atmosphere was electric. Everyone was chatting, laughing, and soaking in the beautiful day. Mark greeted me at the entrance with a kiss on my cheek.

“You look stunning, Har,” he whispered.

“And you look incredibly handsome,” I replied, taking in his crisp suit and the way his eyes sparkled.

Everything felt magical—until my sister grabbed the microphone.

“Alright, everyone!” Melissa’s voice rang through the reception. “I have a little surprise for the happy couple! I’ve been planning this for weeks, and I promise it’s going to be so much fun!”

I turned to her, confused. “Melissa, what are you talking about?”

“You’ll see!” she beamed as a man wheeled in a small machine with wires and sensors.

My stomach twisted. “What is that?”

“It’s a lie detector!” she announced. “I thought it would be a hilarious wedding game. You and Mark will answer a few fun questions while hooked up to it. Trust me, everyone’s going to love it!”

I hesitated, glancing at Mark. He looked skeptical but shrugged.

“Why not?” he said. “Let’s give them a show.”

The guests cheered as the technician hooked us up to the machine. The questions started off lighthearted.

“Mark, have you ever eaten the last slice of pizza and blamed it on Harlene?”

He laughed. “Yes.”

The machine confirmed the truth, and everyone burst into laughter.

Next, Melissa turned to me. “Harlene, have you ever secretly binge-watched a show without Mark?”

“Guilty as charged,” I grinned, and the detector beeped, confirming my honesty.

The game went on, and I started to relax, thinking maybe this wasn’t such a bad idea after all. Guests joined in with their own silly questions, and the room was filled with laughter.

Then Uncle Sam stood up.

“Now it’s my turn,” he said, his voice serious. “Mark, have you ever cheated on my niece?”

A chill ran down my spine.

Mark chuckled nervously. “That’s ridiculous. I don’t think I need to dignify it with an answer.”

Uncle Sam didn’t budge. “If you’ve got nothing to hide, what’s the harm in answering?”

I swallowed hard, my pulse quickening.

“Mark,” I said softly, “it’s just a game. Answer so we can move on.”

His jaw tightened. “No, Harlene. I won’t.”

The air in the room shifted.

“Why not?” Uncle Sam pressed. “If it’s absurd, prove it.”

Mark clenched his fists. “Because it’s insulting, that’s why.”

But the look in his eyes sent a wave of nausea through me. He looked… defensive.

I forced myself to breathe. “Mark, if you don’t answer, I don’t know if I can go through with this wedding.”

He sighed heavily, glaring at Uncle Sam. “Fine. No, I have never cheated on Harlene.”

The machine beeped.

Lie.

Gasps erupted in the room.

I felt like I was drowning.

“Who?” I demanded, my voice barely above a whisper. “Who did you cheat with?”

Mark didn’t answer.

Then I noticed Melissa shifting uncomfortably, avoiding my gaze.

A horrible thought crept into my mind.

“Was it her?” I asked, my voice trembling. “Melissa?”

Melissa’s face went pale. Mark looked at the floor.

“Tell me, Mark!” I shouted. “Was it my sister?”

His lips parted, and the room fell silent.

“Yes,” he admitted.

The machine beeped again. Truth.

The world around me shattered.

The gasps turned into whispers, guests looking back and forth between me, Mark, and Melissa.

Uncle Sam cleared his throat. “I wasn’t going to say anything today,” he said. “But a few weeks ago, I saw them together at the mall. The way Mark held Melissa’s hand, the way he leaned in close… It wasn’t innocent.”

I turned to Melissa, my voice cracking. “How could you? You’re my sister!”

Tears spilled down her cheeks. “Harlene, I—”

“Don’t,” I cut her off. “Just don’t.”

I turned to Mark, my voice filled with quiet fury. “You didn’t just betray me. You betrayed everything we built. How could you?”

Mark looked away. “I made a mistake.”

I laughed bitterly. “A mistake? No, Mark. Cheating isn’t a mistake. It’s a choice.”

Without another word, I tore off the wires from the lie detector and walked out of the venue. The man I loved, the sister I trusted—they had betrayed me in the worst way.

Some betrayals leave scars too deep to heal.

And this was one I could never forgive.