The moment was perfect. The sun cast a golden glow through the chapel’s stained-glass windows, and soft music played as I held my bride-to-be’s hands. My heart pounded with anticipation as the officiant asked the question I had been waiting to answer.
“Do you, Daniel Carter, take—”
“Dad, wait! Look at her shoulder!”
The sudden outburst silenced the room. My 13-year-old son, Jake, stood near the front row, his face pale, his finger pointing at Lily, my fiancée. Murmurs rippled through the guests, and I felt the blood drain from my face.
Lily turned sharply toward Jake, her expression shifting from shock to something else—fear? Panic? I wasn’t sure. But as I followed Jake’s gaze, my stomach twisted.
There, peeking from under the delicate lace of her wedding gown’s off-the-shoulder sleeve, was a tattoo—a small black symbol. My pulse thundered. It was familiar. Too familiar.
Because I had seen it before. On my late wife.
My knees wobbled, my breath hitched. “Lily, what is that?”
Her hand flew to her shoulder, attempting to cover the ink, but it was too late. The guests leaned forward, eyes wide, whispering among themselves. Jake stood frozen, his face a mixture of anger and horror.
Lily’s lips parted, but no words came. That symbol—it was unique, something my late wife, Emily, had designed herself. It was meant to be a secret mark between us, a sign of our eternal love. No one else knew about it. No one else should have it.
But Lily did.
The room spun. My mind raced through a hundred questions. How? Why? What did this mean?
Jake broke the silence. His voice shook, but he was firm. “That’s Mom’s tattoo. I saw it all the time when she held my hand. She designed it. No one else had it. Why does she have it?”
Lily took a step back, her hands trembling. Her eyes darted toward the exit. Panic flared in my chest. She was about to run.
“Lily, answer me.” My voice was low, demanding.
She inhaled sharply and swallowed. “Daniel, I—I can explain.”
But deep down, I already knew.
Emily had died in a tragic accident three years ago. Her body had been found after a long search. Or at least, that’s what I had believed.
Had I been wrong?
Tears welled in Jake’s eyes. “Dad… is she Mom?”
The question made the air in my lungs freeze. The thought was impossible. Unbelievable.
But as Lily—no, the woman in front of me—stood there trembling, I realized something terrifying.
I didn’t know who I was about to marry.
And I wasn’t sure I wanted to find out.
