I was just moments away from saying “I do” when the church doors burst open. My father shouted that the wedding was off. What he said next shattered my heart. The morning light filtered through the stained glass, casting colors across my gown. “You look absolutely radiant, Esther,” my best friend Lia said as she adjusted my veil. I couldn’t believe this day was finally here.

“Do you, Kevin, take Esther to be your lawfully wedded wife?” Kevin tightened his grip on my hands. “I d—” Suddenly, my father stormed down the aisle, his face twisted with rage. “STOP THE WEDDING! THIS MAN IS A FRAUD!”

Gasps rippled through the crowd. “Dad, what are you doing?” I hissed, mortified. “This man is a scammer. He’s been lying to you!” Dad insisted. “He’s using you for your money!”

I shook my head in disbelief. “That’s ridiculous. Kevin loves me!”

“He’s done this before, honey. It was all a setup. He’s a con artist!”

Kevin’s face went pale. “Esther, please, don’t listen to him!”

“Where’s your proof?” I demanded. Dad smiled cruelly and clapped. A waiter brought a ceramic cup. “This is boiling water. I’m going to pour it on him!”

Table set for wedding dinner | Source: AmoMama

Before anyone could react, Dad flung the contents onto Kevin. Kevin yelped and leaped out of his wheelchair. The church fell silent as he stood before me on two healthy legs.

“It was just cold water!” Dad laughed. “Now you see the truth!”

Tears stung my eyes as the weight of betrayal crashed over me. “Kevin… how could you?”

“Esther, I can explain—”

“Explain what? How you lied to me?”

Police officers streamed in. “Johnson, you’re under arrest for fraud.”

“Johnson?” I gasped. Everything about the man I loved was fake. They led him away in handcuffs, and my dreams crumbled around me.

Hours later, I sat in my bedroom, lost in despair. A soft knock came at the door. “Esther? Your father would like to speak with you.” I sighed, then let him in.

“I’m so sorry,” he said, sitting on the edge of my bed. “I know this isn’t how you imagined your wedding day.”

“How did you know?”

“I saw him walking in the garden this morning. It didn’t sit right. I hired a private investigator, and in half a day, we uncovered his whole operation. He’s done this to other women, too.”

The tears spilled over. “I’m such an idiot.”

“No, honey.” Dad hugged me. “We were so focused on building our fortune that we neglected what mattered. You.”

Weeks passed, and slowly, I began to heal. One afternoon, I wheeled myself into my art studio, determined to channel my pain into creativity. I received a text from Lia: “How are you holding up? Want company?”

I smiled. “I’m okay. Painting helps!”

As I painted, a phoenix took shape on the canvas. Mom poked her head in. “Your father and I were thinking of ordering in tonight. Any requests?”

“Could we cook together instead?”

Mom’s face lit up. “I’d love that.”

Later, in the kitchen, the aroma of sautéing garlic filled the air. “Remember when we used to do this every Sunday?” Mom asked.

“Yes,” I replied, feeling nostalgia.

Dad turned to me. “We’re committed to doing better. To being there for you.”

“I’d like that too,” I whispered.

As we cooked and shared stories, I realized the love I’d been searching for had been here all along. With a broken heart and a canceled wedding, I’m still healing. But I’m grateful my dad saved me from marrying a man who only loved my money… and not me.