Always the Bridesmaid, Never the Groom?

From a distance, I watch the smiling couple exchange vows under the adoring gaze of the guests. The soft music, the sound of applause... everything should be perfect. And it would be, if not for one absurd, surreal, unthinkable detail: I was supposed to be up there. Not just “supposed to” — I am the groom. Or at least, I was. Want to know how this happened? Take a seat, take a breath — because I barely understand it myself. On the morning of the wedding, I was putting the final touches on my suit when the doorbell rang. Odd. Who would show up unannounced on a day like this? I opened the door and was surprised to see Isadora — Rita’s best friend — already dressed for the ceremony, looking flawless as always. Her being there made no sense. Isadora never liked me. That much was obvious. Every time we met, she threw cold looks, sharp remarks, and stony silences. I always figured it was jealousy, or maybe that over-intense kind of friendship she had with Rita… but I never imagined ther...