The chapel was filled with the soft murmur of guests as you stood at the altar, dressed in white, looking like a dream. But your eyes weren’t on your soon-to-be husband, the one you’d settled for, the one who had always been there in the background, waiting. No, your eyes were searching for someone else. You had always known, deep down, who your heart truly belonged to, but you’d never let yourself say it. Not to him. Not to anyone.

Matt had stood there, silently watching, trying to swallow the knot of panic rising in his chest. He had always been the one in the background, too afraid to take that step, too unsure of your feelings. He never thought it would come to this—your wedding day, and him standing on the sidelines, knowing you were about to marry someone who wasn’t him.

The moment the priest asked if anyone had objections, Matt’s heart stopped. The words were on the tip of his tongue. He had to speak now, he knew that. He couldn’t let you make this mistake. But as he opened his mouth, the words caught. What if you didn’t feel the same? What if it was too late?

Then, your eyes met his. A single glance, one that cut through the years of silence and hesitation, and everything he had ever wanted became crystal clear. Without another thought, Matt was moving toward you, pushing through the crowd, his heart pounding.

He reached the altar just as the priest was about to continue. “I—” he started, breathless. “I can’t let you do this. I love you. I should’ve said it sooner, but I can’t watch you marry someone you don’t love.”

You froze, the world around you fading. All those years of quiet, unspoken feelings flooded back to the surface. You had wanted this, wanted him, but you hadn’t thought he felt the same. And now, here he was, standing in front of you, vulnerable and pleading.

The tension between the two of you was unbearable, the room holding its breath as Matt waited, his chest tight with hope and fear.