The groom’s face drained of color, his eyes wide with shock and confusion. The bride froze mid-step, her heart pounding in her chest as she tried to comprehend what was happening. Whispers rippled through the congregation, a murmur of disbelief and speculation as everyone turned to watch this unexpected drama unfold.

The woman continued her march down the aisle, her footsteps echoing in the silence. She held her head high, her gaze fixed firmly ahead. The tension in the room was palpable, a thick, oppressive weight that seemed to press down on everyone present.