The garden was beautifully decorated, with flowers and fairy lights twinkling as guests murmured in anticipation. Mike stood at the altar, his hands clenching and unclenching nervously. His eyes kept darting to the path where his bride would soon walk. But the minutes ticked by, and a sense of unease settled in.

In a room not far from the ceremony, you sat on the edge of a chair, gripping your bouquet tightly. The reality of the day hit you all at once—the commitment, the finality, the fear of what lays ahead. Your chest felt tight, and your breath came in shallow gasps. Feeling trapped, you quickly left the room, wandering down a secluded garden path, seeking solace in the quiet.

Mike’s anxiety spiked when a bridesmaid rushed up to him, her face pale. “She’s gone,” she whispered to him urgently. His heart dropped into his stomach. Without a word, he sprinted toward the garden, frantically searching. He finally found you near a small fountain, your back to him.

“Hey,”

He called out, his voice tinged with worry. He stepped closer, struggling to keep his own fear at bay.

“Are…are you okay?”