On Her Wedding Day, Bride Walks Down the Aisle and Sees Her Groom Marrying Another Woman

Donna had planned to marry the wealthy Brian no matter what it took. But when she arrived at the church, she saw him at the altar—marrying another woman. And that woman was none other than her cousin, Gwen.

Donna had always hated Gwen. She would never admit it out loud, but jealousy burned inside her. Donna was prettier by far—voluptuous, striking, with a flair for drama—but life hadn’t dealt her the same hand. Gwen’s mother had married a rich lawyer, while Donna’s mother had married a poor man.

That difference shaped everything. Gwen went to the best schools, wore designer clothes, and drove a shiny red convertible on her sixteenth birthday. Donna had none of that. And though Gwen never flaunted her privilege—in fact, she generously shared it, lending Donna dresses, taking her to parties, even inviting her on expensive trips—Donna despised her for it.

The truth was, Gwen thought of Donna as her closest friend. Donna, however, saw Gwen as a means to an end—especially when Gwen revealed her secret.

“Brian is back!” Gwen gushed one afternoon. “He’s going to be at the country club dance tonight!”

“Who’s Brian?” Donna asked, flipping through Gwen’s latest haul of dresses.

Gwen blushed. “Brian Finley… He was my first boyfriend when I was sixteen. He went to Europe to study medicine, but we’ve been writing letters ever since. Donna, I love him. I think he still loves me.”

Donna pretended to be touched. “That’s so sweet! You must introduce me tonight.”

But inside, Donna was already scheming. A rich, handsome doctor-to-be, son of her uncle’s wealthy friend—Brian was exactly the man she had been hunting for.

That night, Gwen dressed in pale pink taffeta, glowing with nervous excitement. Donna, however, made a grand entrance in Gwen’s fiery red dress, her hair cascading down her back, her every step calculated to draw stares. She zeroed in on Brian and, before Gwen could speak, whisked him onto the dance floor. She pressed herself close, flashing sultry smiles. Gwen watched, heartbroken, as they vanished together into the night.

The next morning, Donna called Gwen with mock regret. “I’m sorry,” she said smoothly. “Brian told me what you two had was just a schoolgirl crush. He couldn’t resist me.”

Gwen’s heart shattered, but she forced herself to smile and bless their happiness.

That summer, Donna and Brian were inseparable. Within three months, Donna was flashing an engagement ring.

“Engaged?” Gwen whispered in shock.

Brian grinned. “She swept me off my feet. I love her, Gwen—and she’s having my baby.”

Gwen reeled. Donna, pregnant? Donna, who sneered at children? Still, Brian believed every word. Gwen, devastated, tried to support them. She even offered to buy Donna’s wedding dress, and Donna—ever the actress—sweetly insisted Gwen be her bridesmaid.

But Donna had no intention of living happily ever after with Brian. To her lover on the side—a penniless drifter—she confided her true plan. “The fool didn’t even ask for a prenup. Once I fake a miscarriage, I’ll take him for a fat settlement. Then it’s you and me on a beach somewhere.”

What Donna didn’t know was that Brian overheard. He was crushed but calm. Instead of confrontation, he plotted a fitting revenge.

The next day, he whispered to Gwen: “You were right about her. I’ve been blind. I should never have let her come between us. If you’ll have me, I want to make this right.”

And so, on the wedding day, Donna swept into the cathedral, hours late, veil billowing, ready for her grand entrance. She ordered the usher to throw open the doors—only to hear the priest declare:

“You may kiss the bride.”

Donna froze. At the altar stood Brian—kissing Gwen.

The crowd erupted in cheers. Donna’s shriek echoed through the church, but no one turned. Her bouquet hit the floor unnoticed. She had lost everything: Brian, Gwen’s friendship, and her golden ticket to wealth.

Donna finally learned that deceit has consequences. You can lie, cheat, and scheme for a while, but the truth always arrives—sometimes in the cruelest way.

Lessons