When my daughter Jane was to get married, I could already imagine her in the white dress that we had chosen together with such emotion. But on the wedding day, everything turned out to be different. She showed up in a black dress — and it was a surprise for everyone.
I remember perfectly when she called me with the joyful news: Jack had proposed to her. We immediately started preparing for the wedding. Jane wanted everything to be special, different from everyone else’s, so we decided to make a custom-made dress. Our friend Helena, a wonderful seamstress, took on the task.
Together we chose the fabric, lace, every seam. Helena put her whole heart into the dress, and the result was a real work of art — white, airy, with a long train.
On the wedding day, when Helena brought the box with the dress, I was sure that this was the dress inside. But when I opened it, I saw a black dress. I couldn’t believe my eyes.
“What is this?” I asked, confused.
— “Whatever it takes,” Helena replied calmly.
I looked at Jane. She was calm.
“Mom, it’s my choice,” she said.
I didn’t say anything. It was her day. And even in that black dress she looked beautiful and confident.
When the ceremony began, Jane walked down the middle of the hall, and everyone froze. Everyone stared in disbelief, not knowing what to say. She walked up to Jack, and then something happened that no one expected.
Jane turned to the guests and said,
“Friends, today I want to tell you the truth. This wedding will not take place. I found out that the man I wanted to share my life with was not honest with me. I found evidence of his betrayal.”
The hall fell silent. Jack paled. Jane spoke calmly:
— “It hurt me and I thought for a long time what to do. But I understood: I will not start a new life with a lie. I choose self-respect. I came here not to forgive betrayal, but to say — I am leaving. I deserve honesty and true love.”
She took off her ring and put it on the table. Then she turned to the guests:
— “Thank you for coming. I am sorry that this day was not as you expected. But for me it is not the end. This is the beginning of a new journey.”
She turned and walked to the exit. I followed her. We got into the car and when we drove away, she said quietly:
— “Mom, I did not cry. And I will not. I am free.”
I hugged her. My daughter made a difficult but courageous decision. She did not let a lie destroy her life. She chose herself — and that is what I am most proud of.
This story is fictional and any resemblance to actual events or people is coincidental.