The face beneath the veil was that of Emily, my late wife—at least that’s how it appeared to me. Her eyes, the same shade of deep blue, held an expression I hadn’t seen in years, an expression I thought I’d never see again. My mind fought against the logic of it all. Emily was gone, and I knew that, so who was this woman standing before my best friend, about to pledge her life to him?
As I sat there frozen, a flurry of emotions flooded through me—joy, disbelief, confusion, and an overwhelming sense of longing. My heart raced, each beat a question unanswered. Was this some sort of cruel trick my mind was playing on me? Was this grief manifesting itself in the most tangible of illusions?
I looked around, wondering if anyone else saw what I did. But the guests were smiling, oblivious to the storm raging within me. Daniel’s family and friends beamed with happiness, their eyes fixed on the couple at the altar. Lily, still tugging at my sleeve, sensed my turmoil but couldn’t comprehend its cause.
