Anita couldn't stop smiling. She stood before the mirror as Luna carefully adjusted the last pin in her hair. Today was the day she had dreamed about since her second year at the university. After four years of unconditional love, countless sacrifices, and promises of forever, she was finally going to marry the man who owned her heart, Shalom. Her excitement was impossible to hide. Every time she looked at her reflection, she imagined herself walking down the aisle and into the life they had planned together.

Luna stepped back and admired her work with a satisfied smile."There," she said proudly."The groom is going to forget his vows the moment he sees you."

Anita laughed softly, shaking her head,"I don't think so."

"Oh, please." Luna rolled her eyes dramatically. "If I were Shalom, I'd carry you away before the minister even starts his sermon."

The two women burst into laughter, filling the room with warmth. For a brief moment, everything felt perfect.

Still smiling, Anita picked up her phone to check the time. Her smile faded ever so slightly when she realized Shalom hadn't called or sent a message all morning. It wasn't like him.

He always found a way to remind her how much he loved her, especially on important days like this.

"He should be here by now," she murmured, more to herself than anyone else.

"You miss him already?" Luna teased with a grin.Anita smiled shyly. "I just want to hear his voice."

"Then call him."

Anita nodded and dialed his number. The call rang once... twice... three times. She waited patiently, expecting Shalom's familiar voice to answer, but the call disconnected instead.

She stared at the screen for a moment, hoping it was only a poor network connection.

"No answer?" Luna asked.

Anita forced a smile. "He probably didn't hear it."

"Or maybe he's busy pretending not to be nervous," Luna said with a laugh, trying to lighten the mood.

Anita nodded. "That's possible." She dialed his number again, but this time the line was busy. The smile on her face disappeared. A strange feeling crept into her heart. It wasn't fear, but something didn't feel right.

Luna noticed the sudden change in Anita's expression and frowned. "Okay... this is strange.”Oh, maybe he's in a conversation with one of his friends," Luna said, rubbing Anita's palm gently. "You know how guys are.

Anita gave a small nod. Maybe Luna was right. Maybe she was worrying over nothing. She tried to calm herself, but the uneasy feeling in her chest refused to disappear.

Shalom had never ignored her calls. Never. Even when he was busy, he always found a minute to send a message or return her call. That was one of the many reasons she had fallen in love with him.

She remained calm and waited.

Five minutes passed,then another ten,Still nothing.

She unlocked her phone again and checked for missed calls or messages.

Nothing.Her fingers tapped nervously against her dress as the excitement that had filled the bridal suite slowly faded into silence. The laughter from a few minutes ago was gone, replaced by anxious glances between her and Luna.

Just then, the door opened and Merisa walked in with a bright smile.

"Everything okay?" she asked, stopping when she noticed the worried look on Anita's face.

"I can't reach Shalom."

Merisa smiled reassuringly. "He's the groom, Anita. Relax. He's probably surrounded by family members and friends. You know how chaotic weddings can be.

"I know..." Anita sighed. "But this isn't like him. He would never ignore my calls, especially today."

Merisa's smile faded slightly as she realized Anita wasn't simply overthinking.

"Do you want me to check on him?"

Anita nodded immediately."Please."

"I'll be back as soon as I find him."

Without waiting for another word, Merisa hurried out of the room.

Anita slowly sat on the edge of the bed, her eyes fixed on the phone in her hand. Every vibration from another guest's phone outside made her heart race. Every passing second made the silence feel heavier.

Luna walked over, sat beside her, and gently squeezed her hand.

"Don't overthink it."

"I'm trying not to."

Minutes dragged by. Outside the bridal suite, more guests arrived. Their laughter echoed through the hallway as cheerful voices filled the venue. The wedding was drawing closer, yet the groom was nowhere to be found.

For the first time that morning, Anita's beautiful smile completely disappeared.Someone knocked on the door, and one of the bridesmaids peeped inside.

"The church is almost full," she announced with a smile.

Anita forced a smile in return, but it never reached her eyes.

"We'll be there soon," Luna replied before the bridesmaid quietly closed the door behind her.

The room fell silent again.

Luna turned to Anita. "You should stop worrying.""I'm trying," Anita answered softly, lowering her eyes to the phone still clutched in her hand. "I really am."

But she couldn't.

The uneasiness inside her kept growing. Every passing minute made it harder to believe that everything was fine. Shalom had never kept her waiting like this before, especially on the day they had both been dreaming about for years.

Nearly thirty minutes later, the door opened again.Merisa walked in.

This time, she wasn't smiling.

The moment Anita saw the expression on her face, her heart skipped a beat. She stood immediately.

"What happened?"

Merisa hesitated before answering.

"I spoke with one of the groomsmen."

"And?" Anita asked anxiously.

"They said Shalom left almost two hours ago."

Anita frowned."What?"

"They thought he was already here."

Silence swallowed the room.

"If he isn't with them..." Luna whispered.

"And he isn't here..." Anita completed, her voice barely audible.

The three women exchanged worried glances. None of them wanted to say what they were all beginning to fear.

"Then where is he?" Merisa asked quietly.

Before anyone could answer, another knock echoed through the room.Everyone turned toward the door.

A young delivery man stepped inside, carrying a large package wrapped in shiny gold paper. He looked around before smiling politely.

"Good morning."

No one replied immediately.

"I have a delivery for Miss Anita."

"That's me," Anita said, taking a step forward despite the knot forming in her stomach.

The delivery man smiled and carefully held out the package.I was instructed to make sure it gets to you personally."

For reasons she couldn't explain, Anita suddenly felt nervous as she reached out to receive it.This package was sent by your husband-to-be. Please confirm your name and sign here," the delivery man said politely, handing Anita a clipboard.

Anita signed without hesitation. After confirming the signature, the delivery man carefully placed the beautifully wrapped package on the table, wished her a happy wedding and quietly left the room.

The heavy tension hanging over everyone seemed to ease. Luna clapped excitedly. "I knew it! I told you Shalom wouldn't forget today."

Merisa laughed softly. "See? He's probably planning the biggest surprise of your life."

A small smile finally returned to Anita's face.

"I knew he wouldn't forget our wedding," she whispered, more to herself than anyone else.

"Then stop worrying and open it already!" Luna urged, practically bouncing with excitement.

Anita smiled faintly and untied the golden ribbon with careful fingers. Her heart beat faster as she slowly lifted the lid.

"What do you think it is?" Merisa asked.

"A diamond necklace?" Luna guessed.

"Maybe a love letter," Anita teased.

"Or honeymoon tickets," Merisa added with a grin.

The room filled with soft laughter.

Still smiling, Anita reached inside the box.

The smile disappeared.

She froze, Her breathing became uneven.

"Anita?" Luna called, noticing the sudden change on her face.

No answer.

Merisa stepped closer.

"What is it?"

With trembling hands, Anita slowly pulled out a large framed portrait.

The laughter died instantly.

Silence swallowed the room.

Luna covered her mouth in shock.

Merisa's eyes widened.

The portrait showed Anita lying on a bed beside a man she had never seen before. It looked so real that it was impossible to believe it had been fabricated.

"No..." Anita whispered, shaking her head repeatedly. This isn't real. I've never seen this man before.

Her hands trembled violently as she stared at the portrait, her mind refusing to process what her eyes were seeing. A cold chill ran down her spine, and for the first time that morning, fear completely replaced the joy of becoming a bride.

"I've... I've never seen this man before."

The portrait slipped from her fingers and crashed onto the floor, the glass shattering into countless pieces.

"No..." she whispered again, shaking her head repeatedly. "This can't be happening."

The room fell into complete silence. No one knew what to say. Luna and Merisa exchanged worried glances, but before either of them could comfort Anita, her phone vibrated.

Everyone's attention shifted to the screen.

Anita looked down.

Her heart stopped.

It was a message from Shalom.

With trembling fingers, she unlocked her phone and opened it.

"I know what you did. Don't ever look for me again."

For a second, Anita forgot how to breathe.

The phone slipped from her hand and landed on the floor with a dull thud.

She stood frozen, staring into space as the words echoed endlessly in her mind.

Her knees suddenly became weak.

The smile that had filled her face that morning disappeared completely, replaced by shock and disbelief.

Someone had destroyed her wedding.

Someone had turned the happiest day of her life into her worst nightmare.

Will shalom ever believe her?