The Wrong Bride

Synopsis

The lighthouse wedding was the most unique wedding tradition on the island, held only once a year. The brides, dressed in veils, waited in the boarding area. The grooms were forbidden from calling their names or lifting their veils. They could only rely on their tokens and vows to recognize their brides and bring them aboard. I had waited three years for Zackary Hoover. And finally, the third ceremony had arrived. The night before the wedding, I accidentally picked up his phone instead of mine. A message in his friends' group chat caught my eye. [Zackary, I know Lexie being abandoned by her fiancé is awful, but you can't use Jenny's wedding to save her reputation, right?] Zackary replied: [She was left alone after being abandoned. If she stayed in the boarding area by herself, the whole island would laugh at her. She's a public figure. If those photos spread, how will she face people again?] Someone asked: [Then what about Jenny? The first year, Lexie had a panic attack, and you stayed with her all night. The second year, Lexie's follow-up results came back abnormal, and you left Jenny alone at the ceremony. She's already waited twice.] Zackary was silent for a moment. Then he replied: [So she can wait one more time. All the brides will be wearing veils tomorrow. I'll just say I recognized the wrong person. At least I can save her dignity. Jenny is a veterinarian. She's calm and sensible. She'll get over it soon enough. Lexie can't handle this right now.] Someone else asked: [What if she really doesn't want you anymore?] Zackary answered immediately: [She won't. "She's loved me for years. At most, she'll be angry for a few days. Once this is over, I'll make it up to her with a private yacht wedding.] I put the phone back exactly where I found it. The next day, he walked right past me and took Lexie away. Everyone thought I would cry. They thought I would make a scene. They thought I would chase after him and ask why. But I simply removed my veil and looked at the groom standing beside me, the man who had been abandoned too. "Does your boat still need a bride?" He looked at me. "It does." When the lighthouse bell rang, I stepped onto his boat.