YOU MAY KISS THE BRIDE!

The reverend's voice echoed through the grand cathedral, "If you have any reason why this beautiful couple should not be married, please speak now or forever hold your peace." A wave of soft laughter and whispers rippled through the crowd, a chorus of happy anticipation. But for me, those words sliced through the air like a knife. My heart pounded in my chest. This was the moment.

Akrofi stood at the altar, his back straight, hands clasped with hers, the perfect image of a devoted groom. Yet, that same man had shattered my world only a week ago. He had lied to me, deceived me, and when I confronted him with the pregnancy test-the one that would have tied us together forever-he unleashed his fury. I could still feel the sting of his blows, the sharp pain in my belly as he kicked me, desperate to erase the evidence of his betrayal. The bruises on my face throbbed with every twitch, every forced smile.

Eight years. I had given him eight years of my life-my body, heart, and soul. And in return, he gave me this. Standing there in the back of the church, I felt the weight of those years pressing down on me, suffocating me with the memory of every sacrifice I had made for him.

The congregation's murmurs faded into the background as I watched them. My eyes locked on his face-so calm, so composed as if he hadn't just ripped my life apart. The world spun around me, yet he remained still, untouched by the chaos he had created in me.

"I pronounce you husband and wife..." The reverend's words rang out, final and cruel. My legs trembled beneath me, weak with the pain and anger I had held in for too long. My vision blurred as tears welled up, but I forced myself to move.

Step by step, I made my way to the front of the church. Every footfall was a battle against the weight of my sorrow, every breath a struggle to keep the sobs from breaking free. The whispers grew louder as the guests noticed me, their eyes following my every move. But I didn't care. I had nothing left to lose.

As I reached the altar, the bride turned to me, her smile faltering as she saw the bruises on my face, and the tears in my eyes. Akrofi's expression twisted from surprise to fear as he realized what was happening. For the first time, he looked vulnerable-like the coward he truly was.

I stood there, trembling, as the silence in the church became unbearable. The words I had rehearsed so many times in my mind seemed to vanish, leaving only raw emotion in their place. But I didn't need words. My presence, my bruises, and the truth in my eyes said it all.

I had come to make peace-not with him, but with myself. To let go of the illusion of love I had clung to for too long. To free myself from the chains of his lies. And in that moment, the world watched.