After Lizzy suddenly canceled her wedding and told everyone the hotel bookings were not refundable, her brother, David, visited the hotel to avail his stay. What he discovered at the venue sparked a daring plan to unveil a deceitful groom and restore his sisterโs tarnished reputation.
Iโm David, Lizzyโs elder brother and her only sibling. Six months ago, Lizzy shocked everyone by canceling her wedding.
She said with teary eyes, โDavid, I canโt go through with the wedding, not without Grandma here to see it.โ
A woman resting her head on a table | Source: Pexels
Our grandma passed away shortly after all the wedding plans were finalized, and Lizzy felt she couldnโt celebrate such a big day without her.
Despite her decision, we didnโt cancel any of the wedding bookings.
Lizzy said, โThe reservations are non-refundable, David. It seems pointless to waste all that money.โ
As a result, the venue, the caterer, and even the hotel stays were still on hold under her name. It made sense financially, but emotionally, it just added to the heaviness of her decision.
Little did I know, the real story was far more complicated, and soon, Iโd find myself deeply involved.
A man comforting a crying woman | Source: Pexels
Since my flights were already booked, I decided to stay at the hotel for free. Upon entering the hotel, I noticed the wedding decor was still intact.
โSad itโs of no use now,โ I thought as I walked towards the reception.
A wedding venue | Source: Unsplash
โHi, Iโm checking in,โ I told the receptionist, showing her the booking on my phone.
โJust a minute, sir,โ she replied as she verified my booking.
Looking around the hotel, I could see the staff bustling from one end to the other, seemingly preparing for an event.
A hotel worker pushing a cart with boxes | Source: Pexels
โAh, youโre here for the wedding!โ the receptionist chirped.
โYeah, I was,โ I said. โBut now Iโm just using the reservation since the wedding is canceled.โ
โSir, the wedding is on,โ the receptionist looked at me, confused. โThe first event begins at 3 p.m.โ
โWhat do you mean?โ I asked, shocked.
โHereโs the itinerary, sir,โ she handed me a tablet with the event details. โYou may take a look at it.โ
A person using a tablet | Source: Unsplash
Sliding my finger across the screen, I read the groomโs name. It was Mike, my sisterโs ex.
โHow is this even possible?โ I gasped in shock.
Mike was about to tie the knot with another woman at the same hotel Lizzy had booked for her wedding. The venue was all set for Mike to marry another woman.
I immediately slid my phone out of my pocket and called Lizzy.
A man using his phone | Source: Unsplash
Lizzy picked up after the first ring, her voice tinged with confusion and worry. โDavid, whatโs up? Why are you calling me from the hotel?โ
โLizzy, you wonโt believe this,โ I started, my voice shaking with anger and disbelief. โIโm at the hotel, and the receptionist just told me the wedding is still on. Mike is getting married today, at 3 p.m., but not with youโwith another woman!โ
There was a pause, a heavy silence on the line.
A man talking on the phone | Source: Unsplash
โWhat are you talking about, David? That canโt be right,โ Lizzy finally responded, her voice cracking.
โItโs true, Liz. I saw the itinerary. His name is there with someone elseโs. How could this be happening? Didnโt you cancel everything?โ
Lizzy sighed deeply. โIโฆ I didnโt cancel the wedding because of Grandma David. I found out Mike was cheating on me. I couldnโt go through with it, but I didnโt know how to tell everyone the real reason.โ
I clenched my fists, feeling a rush of protectiveness and rage.
Close-up of a clenched fist | Source: Unsplash
โWhy didnโt you tell me? I would have helped you deal with this mess.โ
โI was embarrassed, David.โ
โWe need to clear your name,โ I said firmly. โWe canโt let Mike get away with this. Heโs making it look like you backed out, and heโs the victim here. Everyone thinks youโre at fault.โ
โI know, but what can we do now?โ Lizzy asked helplessly.
A woman talking on the phone | Source: Pexels
I paced back and forth, thinking quickly. โIโm going to expose him, Liz. Iโll show everyone who he really is.โ
With a plan forming in my mind, I hurried off to talk to some of the hotel staff I had seen setting up earlier. I needed inside information and evidence.
A friendly waiter I recognized from setting up the ballroom listened as I explained the situation.
A restaurant worker | Source: Pexels
โI can help you,โ he said after I finished. โMike has been bragging to everyone here about dodging a bullet with your sister. He has been using his phone a lot. You might find something there.โ
โCan you get me access to his room?โ I asked, hoping it was possible.
โLeave it to me,โ the waiter said.
A hotel worker | Source: Pexels
An hour later, I was inside Mikeโs room, thanks to the spare key card the waiter had managed to get.
I quickly found his phone charging on the bedside table. His carelessness was his downfall; he hadnโt even bothered to use a password.
I scrolled through his messages and emails, finding more than enough evidence of his infidelity. I took screenshots and emailed everything to myself.
A man using his phone | Source: Pexels
Next, I called a friend who was skilled with computers.
โTom, I need a big favor. Can you put together a slideshow presentation of these screenshots? It needs to be ready to display at a weddingโtoday.โ
โGive me an hour,โ he said.
With everything in place, I returned to the wedding venue. I met Tom there, and he uploaded the presentation to the AV system.
I was ready with my revenge.
A projector screen | Source: Pexels
The ceremony was about to start. Guests filled the room, murmuring happily, unaware of the drama about to unfold. I positioned myself near the back, my heart pounding.
As the lights dimmed and the first slide of the romantic slideshow appeared, I used the remote Tom had given me and switched it to our presentation.
The room went silent as the first incriminating message filled the screen, followed by another and then another.
Gasps and murmurs spread through the crowd as Mikeโs betrayal unfolded.
Close-up of chairs | Source: Unsplash
Mikeโs face turned pale as his secrets were exposed. Meanwhile, his bride, devastated, ran out of the room.
The guests, in shock, murmured amongst themselves. Some comforted Lizzy, who had just arrived.
Amid the chaos, I confronted Mike.
Close-up of a man in a suit | Source: Unsplash
โEveryone knows the truth about you now,โ I said quietly. โYou canโt hide anymore.โ
Many guests apologized to Lizzy for believing Mikeโs lies, while his reputation crumbledโhis personal and professional life shattered by the truth.
As the guests dispersed, Lizzy hugged me, tears of relief in her eyes. โThank you, David,โ she whispered. โYouโve given me a chance to move on.โ
A woman covering her face with her hands | Source: Unsplash
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