Caught In The Act
1408 Words
Caleb paced anxiously in the groom’s waiting room, running a hand through his hair. His heart pounded in his chest—today was the day. His wedding day. The day he was supposed to marry the love of his life.
But his elder brother, Ethan, was nowhere to be seen.
Frowning, Caleb picked up his phone and dialed Ethan’s number. He answered after two rings.
“Ethan, where are you?” Caleb asked, urgency thick in his voice.
A heavy sigh came from the other end. “Caleb… I’m sorry, kiddo. I won’t be able to make it.”
The words hit like a slap. “What? But you promised! You said you’d be here to see me get married. Why are you backing out now?”
“It’s not that simple,” Ethan replied. “The investors I’ve been chasing for the past four years finally showed up at my office. The meeting’s about to start—I can’t miss this.”
Caleb clenched his jaw. “So the investors are more important than your own brother?”
“No, of course not.” Ethan’s tone softened. “But you know how much this deal means. It could change everything—for the company and for us.”
Caleb swallowed hard. He wanted to argue, but deep down, he knew Ethan was right.
“I love you, Caleb,” Ethan said. “I’m really sorry I can’t be there. But you have my blessing. I’ll send a gift, and please send me a wedding photo. My meeting’s starting—I gotta go. We’ll talk later, okay? Bye.”
“Ethan—”
The line went dead.
Frustration burned in Caleb’s chest. With a growl, he flung his phone across the room.
But minutes later, as he stood at the altar, all thoughts of Ethan faded.
This was it.
The church was packed—with family, friends, and guests from both sides. His mother dabbed her eyes with a tissue, overwhelmed with emotion, while his father beamed with pride. Even his best friend and best man, Ryan, gave him a reassuring nod.
Everything was perfect.
Caleb adjusted his white tuxedo jacket, tugged at his black bow tie, and took a deep breath. His pulse raced with anticipation. Soon, Tessa, his bride-to-be, would walk down the aisle, and they’d start their forever together.
The musicians began playing ‘Here Comes the Bride’, and the church doors swung open.
A hush fell over the crowd as the bride stepped in.
There she was—his missing rib—walking toward him in a stunning white gown, her face hidden beneath a delicate veil, a bouquet of fresh roses in her hands. His throat tightened with emotion.
Tessa and Caleb had been together for two years. They met at a charity event, fell in love, and after a year and a half, Caleb proposed. Tessa said yes. And now, they were finally here—about to say their vows.
She reached the altar, and he exhaled shakily.
The officiating pastor began the ceremony, his voice a distant hum. Caleb could only focus on his bride.
Then came the moment he’d been waiting for.
“You may now lift the veil,” the pastor announced.
Caleb stepped forward, hands trembling slightly as he reached for the delicate fabric. Slowly, he lifted it, eager to see Tessa’s face. To lock eyes with the woman he loved.
The veil rose.
And his world tilted.
This… wasn’t Tessa.
The woman standing before him was someone else entirely.
His heart plummeted. A knot twisted in his stomach.
“What the hell is this?!” Caleb roared, his voice echoing through the silent church.
Gasps rippled through the crowd. Murmurs spread like wildfire.
His parents rushed forward, their expressions alarmed. Tessa’s parents—his in-laws—followed behind.
“Mrs. Hayes,” he spat, turning to his mother-in-law, rage shaking through him. “Is this some kind of sick joke? Where is Tessa?”
Mrs. Hayes’s face was streaked with tears. “Caleb, please—”
“Answer me!” he demanded.
“Caleb!” his mother scolded, her tone sharp. “That is no way to speak to your elders!”
“It’s my fault,” Mrs. Hayes sobbed. “I never meant to deceive you, Caleb. I swear!”
Caleb’s fists clenched. “Then tell me what’s going on. Where. Is. Tessa?”
Mrs. Hayes hesitated, her lips trembling. Then, in a broken whisper, she said the words that shattered him.
“Tessa… has been kidnapped.”
A wave of cold dread crashed over Caleb.
‘kidn*pped?’
The church spun around him. His breathing turned shallow. The air felt thinner.
“When? How? Why didn’t you tell me?!” he demanded, pulling out his phone. “I’m calling the police right now. We’re going to find her. Let’s go—”
“No!” Mrs. Hayes grabbed his arm, desperation in her eyes. “Not now. We will find her—but first, we have to handle this situation.”
“What situation?” he snapped.
“The guests,” she whispered urgently. “The Reeds’ reputation. Tessa’s reputation.”
Caleb stared at her, horrified. “You’re worried about reputation when your daughter is missing?”
“Caleb, please,” she begged. “If the guests think she ran away, it’ll ruin her—and her career. You have to go through with the wedding. Just until we find her. For her sake.”
He recoiled. “You’re out of your mind. I’m not marrying a stranger!”
She clutched his hands, eyes red with tears. “Please, Caleb. Only you can save us from this disgrace. And Evelyn’s not a stranger. She’s Tessa’s stepsister. Just consider her a stand-in for now.”
His hands shook.
He didn’t want anyone else. He wanted Tessa.
His gaze flickered to the woman at the altar—the imposter. Her veil was lifted now, her face visible.
She wasn’t… hideous. But she wasn’t Tessa.
Caleb’s jaw clenched. His heart hammered in his chest.
He exhaled sharply and turned back to Mrs. Hayes. “Fine,” he said through gritted teeth. “But this is temporary. Only until Tessa is found.”
Relief washed over her face. “Thank you, Caleb. I promise—we’ll find her soon, and you’ll get your real wedding.”
The ceremony resumed. Caleb forced himself through it, reciting vows and slipping the ring onto Evelyn’s finger. But when the pastor instructed him to kiss the bride, he stepped back.
“Skip that part,” he said coldly.
The guests murmured, but Caleb didn’t care.
The wedding ended. Guests came to congratulate them, offering blessings and gifts. Caleb smiled, but it was all fake. Evelyn—the stand-in bride—kept her veil on the entire time.
When it was time for pictures, Caleb took only a few—for Ethan, who had asked for them earlier.
The only thing he truly wanted was to leave.
As they drove to Caleb’s house, Evelyn sat silently beside him, her veil now removed and her full face in view. The moment the car stopped, she stepped out quickly—a wise move. If she hadn’t, he might have locked her inside.
Caleb walked toward the front door. She followed quietly behind.
Inside, what he saw made his blood boil.
The house was decorated for newlyweds. Red roses. Candles. A table set for two.
It made him sick. All of this had been meant for Tessa.
He turned to Evelyn, fury in his eyes. “Don’t think for a second that this means anything,” he snapped. “You are not my wife, and you never will be. You’re nothing but a replacement.”
Her lips parted, but he cut her off.
“And don’t even think about acting like you belong here,” he growled. “For all I know, you had something to do with Tessa’s disappearance.”
Her eyes widened. “That’s not—”
“Shut up!” he barked. “You don’t speak unless I say so. Don’t touch anything. Don’t talk to me. As far as I’m concerned, you don’t even exist. Got it?”
She flinched, then nodded silently.
“Good.” Caleb turned and stormed upstairs, leaving her standing alone in the living room, sobbing.
And he didn’t care.
Because the only thing that mattered now…
Was finding Tessa.
- Writer
