“Did you hear?” he said. “Antonio’s getting married.”
Before I could process the news, he added, “She’s marrying a construction worker. No money. Honestly, she still can’t choose well.”
I laughed — a hollow, arrogant laugh.
In my mind, I saw him already: a man in a wrinkled, budget suit, worn hands, a cheap tie. I decided right then that I would attend the wedding — not to congratulate her, but to show her what she had lost.
I pictured myself as the embodiment of success — the tailored dress, the luxury car, the confident entrance. I wanted her to regret letting me go.
The Grand Entrance That Fell Flat
The day of the wedding, I put on my most expensive designer dress and stepped into my glossy car. The moment I walked into the reception hall, I could feel eyes turning toward me. My chin lifted. I felt triumphant.
And then… I saw him.
The Groom I Never Expected
The groom stood at the altar in a simple beige suit. No designer label, no ostentation. But his face — his smile — stopped me in my tracks.
I moved closer, my heels clicking on the floor. Then my stomach dropped.
It was Emilio.
Memories of a Man I Overlooked
Emilio had been my college roommate for a semester, a quiet, humble man with a steady presence. During his senior year, a terrible accident cost him one of his legs. Yet I never once heard him complain.
He was always there when someone needed help — carrying groceries for a neighbor, staying up to explain a homework problem, lending his notes without hesitation. I had taken him for granted, barely noticing his kindness.
After college, he found work as a construction supervisor. The pay was modest, but every time I saw him on social media, he was smiling.
And now, here he was, standing proudly at the altar — balanced on one leg, holding Antonio’s hand as though she was the rarest treasure on earth.
