Margaret, a lonely career woman, eagerly awaits the arrival of Colin, a man she met online. But just hours before he is due, a call from a friend leads her to a nearby cemetery. There, she is horrified to see a photo of Colin on another man’s grave. Is Colin really who he claims to be?
The sun streamed through the windows, casting a warm glow over the pristine furniture as Margaret cleaned the house.
She had always kept her home immaculate, a reflection of her orderly and disciplined life. Every corner was spotless, every item in its place. Cleaning was a routine she found both comforting and necessary, a way to fill the void in her life.
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Pexels
All her life, Margaret had prioritized work and setting up her own life. At nineteen, she was already living alone, working two jobs as a cook to pay for her education.
By twenty-five, she was building a career as a restaurant manager and saving for her own restaurant. Her hard work paid off, and by forty-five, Margaret had everything—a successful restaurant, a beautiful house, and a nice car.
Yet, despite all her achievements, personal happiness had eluded her. She always thought that once she set up her life, a family would come naturally. But when she realized she wanted and needed a family, it was too late.
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Pexels
Margaret had little experience in interacting with men and even less in building a family. At work, the men were intimidated by her position and her success.
She was respected but also seen as unapproachable. Finding a partner at forty-five turned out to be much harder than she had ever imagined.
As Margaret continued cleaning, her phone suddenly chimed with a message. She paused, her heart skipping a beat, and quickly took out her phone. A smile spread across her face when she saw it was a message from Colin.
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Pexels
She had recently met Colin online, and their communication had developed quickly. Colin understood Margaret; they talked about books, movies, food, and their views on the world.
They had so much in common, but there was a problem. Colin lived in another city, and they hadn’t met yet.
Margaret had been afraid to suggest meeting because she had lied about her age. She told Colin she was thirty, fearing he would reject her if he knew the truth.
She never thought their relationship would progress this far, but now she was ready to meet him in person. She typed out a message: “Colin, we’ve been talking for over a month now, and I really want to meet you.”
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Fakedetail
Margaret felt anxious, like a teenager waiting for his response. She kept checking her phone repeatedly, getting frustrated and putting it back face down.
Finally, the reply came, “That’s a great idea, Margaret. I really want to meet too, but I have nowhere to stay in the city. I don’t like staying in hotels.”
Without thinking, Margaret replied instantly, “No problem, stay with me!”
Realizing that her offer might be interpreted as an intimate suggestion, she began to write that she didn’t mean it that way. But Colin responded quickly, “Great, I’ll arrive tomorrow evening. I can’t wait to meet you!”
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Pexels
Everything was set; she would meet Colin tomorrow. Margaret was overwhelmed with emotions. She was happy to finally meet him but also scared.
She had lied to him about her age, and she feared that when he found out she was much older, he would leave her.
She paced around the living room, her thoughts racing. She imagined their first meeting, worrying about how he would react. But it was too late to back out now; she had to go through with it.
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Pexels
The next day, Margaret was a whirlwind of activity, preparing for Colin’s arrival. She meticulously cleaned the house, ensuring every corner was spotless.
She decorated the kitchen with fresh flowers and set the table with her best dishes. The aroma of a delicious dinner filled the house as she cooked Colin’s favorite meals, ready to warm up and serve when he arrived.
Everything was ready. As the evening approached, Margaret’s excitement and nerves grew. She was just about to sit down and relax for a moment when her phone rang. Seeing it was her colleague, Alice, she answered quickly.
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“Margaret, hi. I hope I’m not disturbing you, but I have a very urgent request,” Alice said, her voice sounding strained.
“I’m listening, Alice. Did something happen at the funeral? Maybe I can help?” Margaret asked, remembering that Alice was supposed to be at a funeral that day. She had requested a day off from work for it.
“I feel so awkward asking this, but my car is stuck nearby,” Alice explained, sounding embarrassed.
“Of course, I’ll help. I’ll be there in ten minutes, don’t worry!” Margaret responded without hesitation.
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Margaret wanted to support Alice, understanding that if Alice had called her, it wasn’t just about the car. Most likely, she was struggling to cope with her husband Nathan’s death. So she quickly grabbed her keys and headed out the door.
As she drove, Margaret thought about Alice and how hard it must be to deal with such a loss. She hoped that helping Alice would provide some comfort.
Despite her own nervousness about meeting Colin, she felt a strong sense of responsibility to be there for her friend in need.
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Pexels
Arriving at the scene, Margaret found Alice standing beside her car, looking helpless and distressed. Without wasting any time, she got to work. She attached Alice’s car to hers with a tow rope and quickly pulled it out of the ditch.
The task was surprisingly easy, almost as if Alice could have done it herself. Margaret brushed off her hands and turned to Alice.
“All set,” Margaret said with a smile, trying to lighten the mood.
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Pexels
“Thank you so much, Margaret,” Alice replied, her voice trembling. “I don’t know what I would have done without you.”
As they stood by the side of the road, Alice’s composure crumbled. She broke down in tears, unable to hold back the flood of emotions any longer. Margaret stepped forward, wrapping her arms around her in a comforting hug.
“It’s just so hard,” Alice sobbed. “Ever since Nathan died, everything feels impossible. I thought I could handle today, but I can’t.”
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Pexels
Margaret’s heart ached for her friend. She knew how much Alice loved Nathan and how difficult the past few months had been for her. “I’m so sorry, Alice. It’s okay to feel like this. You don’t have to go through it alone.”
Alice wiped her eyes and took a deep breath. “Would you walk with me back to his grave? I can’t bring myself to go alone. The guests have left, and I can’t bear the thought of going home to an empty house without him.”
“Of course,” Margaret said softly. “I’ll be right beside you.”
They walked together through the cemetery, the air heavy with the scent of flowers and freshly turned earth.
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Pexels
Margaret supported Alice by the arm, offering silent comfort as they moved between the rows of headstones.
As Margaret gazed around the cemetery, her eyes were drawn to a photo on one of the nearby graves. Her breath caught in her throat as she recognized the face. It was a picture of Colin.
She couldn’t believe what she was seeing. She walked closer, her heart pounding, and compared it to the photo she had seen in Colin’s online profile. It was the same person.
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Pexels
At that moment, fear and confusion washed over Margaret. What could this mean? Who had she been talking to all this time? She felt a chill run down her spine.
Margaret carefully took out her phone and sent a message to Colin, her hands shaking. “Hi, is everything still on for today?”
The reply came quickly, “Yes, of course, I’ll be there at eight!”
Margaret didn’t know what to think. She was scared, her mind racing with questions and doubts, but she knew she needed to find out the truth.
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Pexels
There had to be some explanation. Maybe it was a misunderstanding, or perhaps there was another explanation she hadn’t considered.
She turned to Alice, giving her one last supportive squeeze. “Alice, I need to go. But please call me if you need anything. I’m here for you.”
“Thank you, Margaret,” Alice said, her voice weak but grateful. “You’ve done so much for me today.”
Margaret said her goodbyes and drove home, her thoughts a jumble of fear. As she navigated the familiar streets, she tried to calm herself. She needed to be composed and ready for Colin’s arrival, no matter what happened.
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Everything was ready: a set table, flowers, and a delicious dinner. Waiting by the door, her mind whirled with thoughts and emotions, especially the mysterious photograph at the cemetery.
As she waited by the door, peeking out the window, her mind was a whirl of thoughts and emotions.
She couldn’t stop thinking about what awaited her, who was coming to her home, and the mysterious photograph she had seen at the cemetery.
Finally, she saw a car park near the house. Her heart raced as she watched a man step out, holding a bouquet of flowers.
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Pexels
But when Margaret saw his face, she was shocked. He didn’t look like the man in the photos at all. Panic set in, and Margaret quickly hid behind the door, unsure of what to do.
Colin approached the door and rang the bell. Margaret remained silent, her mind racing with fear and confusion. The doorbell rang again, but she didn’t move. Finally, Colin spoke, his voice gentle and apologetic.
“I know you’re inside, Margaret. I can understand why you’re not answering. I don’t look like the man in the photos. I’m really sorry.”
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Pexels
Margaret’s heart pounded in her chest. She hesitated, but then she heard Colin placing the bouquet down at the doorstep. “I’ll leave these here and go,” he said. “I’m sorry for the deception. I just wanted to meet you so badly.”
As he turned to leave, Margaret couldn’t take it anymore. She opened the door, her voice trembling. “Wait.”
Colin stopped and turned around, his eyes meeting hers. He looked relieved to see her. “Margaret, I’m so sorry. I can explain.”
They stepped inside, the tension between them palpable. Margaret took a deep breath, trying to steady her nerves. “Why did you lie about your appearance, Colin?”
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Pexels
Colin looked down, his expression filled with regret.
“It’s hard for me to meet someone. I have almost no experience in relationships. I was very anxious and created a profile with a photo of a handsome man because I thought no one would be interested in the real me. I wanted to tell you many times, but I was afraid you would stop talking to me.”
Margaret listened, her heart softening. She could see the sincerity in his eyes. “It doesn’t matter what you look like, Colin. What matters is that you didn’t lie to me about who you are inside.”
Margaret gasped, feeling a pang of guilt. “I lied too. I said I was thirty, but I’m actually older… I’m forty-five. I was worried you wouldn’t want to meet someone so old…”
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Pexels
Colin stepped closer, looking into her eyes. “Age doesn’t matter to me, Margaret. You’re beautiful, and I’ve enjoyed every conversation we’ve had. I’m just glad we’re finally meeting in person.”
A smile spread across Margaret’s face. “It’s funny, isn’t it? We both pretended to be someone else because we were afraid.”
Colin chuckled, nodding in agreement. “Yes, it is. But maybe that’s a sign that we have more in common than we thought.”
Margaret felt a sense of relief wash over her. “Would you like to come inside? We can have dinner and start over, without any lies this time.”
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Pexels
Colin smiled warmly. “I’d like that very much.”
They walked inside together, leaving the flowers on the doorstep as a reminder of their fresh start. As they sat down for dinner, they talked and laughed, sharing their true selves with each other.
The fear and uncertainty began to fade, replaced by a growing connection and understanding. They both knew that building a family couldn’t be based on lies, and this honest beginning was the first step toward something real and lasting.
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A Coffin with a Gift Bow Was Brought to Our Wedding During the Ceremony — I Nearly Fainted When It Opened
What should have been a picture-perfect wedding day took a bizarre turn when a coffin, topped with a giant bow, was carried to the altar. The bride was left stunned, guests sat in silence, and what happened next would be remembered as the most unexpected prank of the day.
“Are you sure you’re ready for this?” my dad asked, his warm hand resting on my shoulder as I adjusted my veil in the mirror.
A bride looking at herself in a mirror | Source: Pexels
“I’ve been ready my whole life, Dad,” I said with a grin. My hands were steady, but my heart raced with excitement.
I wasn’t the kind of girl who dreamed of fairy tales, but I’d always wanted this day—a day full of love, laughter, and family. And now it was happening. Everything was perfect, down to the last detail, just like I’d planned.
A bride near a window | Source: Pexels
I’d spent months picking out flowers, choosing the right colors, and making sure everyone knew their place. My mom used to say I was a bit of a control freak, but it made me feel safe, knowing things were in order.
“You look beautiful,” my dad added, a bit choked up.
“Don’t start crying yet,” I teased. “We still have to make it down the aisle.”
A father hugging her daughter | Source: Pexels
I couldn’t wait to walk down that aisle and see Jacob—my soon-to-be husband. He wasn’t like me. He never overthought things. Jacob was calm and funny, always ready to make me laugh when I got too serious. That’s what I loved most about him.
Jacob and I met four years ago at a mutual friend’s party. I had been sitting in the corner, avoiding small talk, and he walked up to me with a big smile.
“You look like you’re having a blast,” he said, holding a drink in each hand.
A woman at a party | Source: Pexels
“I hate parties,” I admitted.
“Me too,” he laughed, even though he was clearly having a great time.
That was Jacob—easygoing, with a knack for making the best of every situation. We started talking, and it didn’t take long before I was laughing too. That night changed everything for me.
A smiling young man | Source: Pexels
We were opposites in many ways, but we just fit. I liked order; he loved spontaneity. I had my life planned out; he preferred to go with the flow. But somehow, it worked.
“I can’t believe you’re getting married,” my best friend Kate had said during the bachelorette party. “You used to say you didn’t believe in all this wedding stuff.”
“I didn’t,” I replied, thinking of Jacob. “But then I met him.”
Two friends laughing | Source: Pexels
Jacob had his own set of friends—guys he’d known since grade school. They were a loud, rowdy bunch, always playing jokes on each other. Sometimes they drove me nuts, but Jacob loved them, and I knew they meant the world to him.
His best man, Derek, was always the ringleader, coming up with crazy pranks and schemes. The guys called themselves the “bachelor club,” like they were stuck in high school.
Friends hanging out | Source: Pexels
“They’ll grow up one day,” Jacob always said with a grin.
But even though they were immature at times, Jacob was different when he was with me. He wasn’t just a prankster—he was thoughtful and kind, always finding little ways to make me smile. He’d leave me notes, cook dinner when I was tired, and listen to my endless wedding planning without complaint.
A happy couple in a field | Source: Pexels
“That’s what you’re supposed to do when you love someone,” he once told me, shrugging like it was the easiest thing in the world.
The day had finally arrived, and the sun was shining. It was perfect. As I stood there, ready to marry the love of my life, I took a deep breath. My father was by my side, my family and friends were all waiting outside, and Jacob… well, he was probably cracking jokes with his friends, trying to calm his nerves.
A groom tying his shoes | Source: Pexels
“You ready?” Dad asked again, sensing my excitement.
“I’ve never been more ready,” I replied.
With one last look in the mirror, I smiled. Everything was exactly how it was supposed to be. I wasn’t nervous, just eager to see Jacob standing at the end of that aisle, waiting for me.
A smiling bride | Source: Pexels
And then we stepped outside.
The ceremony was going perfectly. The soft hum of music filled the air as Jacob and I stood facing each other, hands intertwined. He was smiling at me, and I could feel the warmth of his love radiating in that moment. My heart swelled with joy, and I could see tears welling up in his eyes. We were about to exchange our vows, the most important words of our lives.
A bride and groom looking at each other | Source: Pexels
But just as I opened my mouth to speak, something strange caught my eye. From the back of the venue, a group of people appeared. They were walking slowly, carrying something heavy. At first, I thought it was a joke—someone bringing in a last-minute wedding gift. But as they got closer, I saw what they were carrying. A coffin.
My stomach dropped. I blinked, hoping I was imagining things, but no—there it was. A real, wooden coffin, with a giant red bow on top.
Men carrying a coffin at a wedding | Source: Midjourney
“What the…?” I whispered to myself, barely able to process it. This couldn’t be happening.
The guests, who had been smiling and laughing just moments before, fell silent. The music seemed to fade into the background as all eyes turned to the approaching coffin. Confusion rippled through the crowd. My pulse raced. I looked over at Jacob, expecting him to react, but he just stood there, wide-eyed like everyone else.
Men carrying a coffin | Source: Pexels
“What is this?” I thought, panic building in my chest. “Is it a prank? Something gone horribly wrong?” I glanced around, looking for some kind of answer, but nobody seemed to know what was happening. My head was spinning, and I felt lightheaded, like I might faint.
The group of men carrying the coffin came closer. My heart pounded in my chest, and I could feel my knees trembling. I clutched Jacob’s hand tightly, but even he seemed too shocked to move.
A shocked bride | Source: Freepik
They walked right up to the altar and set the coffin down at our feet. I could barely breathe.
Then, one of Jacob’s friends—Derek, the best man—stepped forward. Of course, it was him. If anyone was behind something as insane as this, it had to be Derek. He reached for the lid of the coffin, his hand moving slowly, as if he was deliberately building suspense.
“Derek, what the hell is going on?” I finally managed to say, my voice shaky.
A close-up of a man carrying a coffin | Source: Pexels
He didn’t answer. Instead, he smiled—a big, goofy grin—and lifted the lid.
I gasped. Inside the coffin wasn’t what I feared. No grim surprise or morbid joke. Instead, lying there was a large framed portrait of Jacob, with a huge gift bow wrapped around it like he was some kind of present.
A man’s photo in a coffin | Source: Midjourney
For a second, I was too stunned to react. My brain struggled to make sense of what I was seeing. Then, from behind the coffin, the rest of Jacob’s friends jumped out, shouting, “Surprise!!!”
I just stood there, frozen, trying to process it all. My mind went from panic to confusion to… realization. Slowly, it dawned on me: this was all a prank. A ridiculous, over-the-top prank pulled by Jacob’s friends. The coffin, the portrait—everything. They were symbolizing that Jacob was “dead” to them now that he was getting married.
A photo in a coffin | Source: Midjourney
“You’ve got to be kidding me,” I muttered, still in shock.
Derek burst out laughing, clearly pleased with himself. “He’s a married man now! He’s gone forever!” he shouted, pointing at Jacob’s picture. The rest of the guys were laughing, too, slapping each other on the back like they’d just pulled off the greatest prank of all time.
A laughing man | Source: Unsplash
I turned to look at Jacob, who was now grinning sheepishly. “I had no idea,” he said quickly, holding up his hands like he was innocent in all of this. “I swear, I didn’t know they were planning this.”
For a moment, I didn’t know what to do. Part of me wanted to strangle Derek for pulling something so outrageous in the middle of my wedding. But then… the absurdity of it all hit me. Jacob’s friends were always pulling stunts like this. It was their way of showing they cared. And, honestly, it was kind of funny.
A thoughtful bride | Source: Freepik
Before I knew it, I started laughing. I couldn’t help it—the whole situation was so ridiculous. Soon, Jacob was laughing too, and then the guests joined in. The tension dissolved, and the mood lightened again. The wedding wasn’t ruined. If anything, it was just made more memorable.
“I can’t believe you guys did this,” I said, wiping away a tear from laughing so hard.
A laughing couple at their wedding | Source: Pexels
“It’s all in good fun,” Derek replied, still grinning from ear to ear. “We couldn’t let Jacob off that easy. We had to say goodbye to him properly.”
Jacob shook his head, still smiling. “You guys are ridiculous.”
“Well,” I said, still catching my breath, “It’s a good thing all our family and friends have a good sense of humor. This could’ve gone horribly wrong.”
A bride laughing | Source: Freepik
I turned to Jacob, feeling a wave of love and relief. Despite the craziness, everything was perfect. This was our wedding, and it would be a day we’d never forget.
Jacob leaned in, kissing me softly. “I love you,” he whispered, his eyes twinkling.
“I love you too,” I whispered back, thinking to myself, What a day.
A bride and a groom kissing | Source: Pexels
Liked this story? Consider checking out this one: I invited a fortune teller to my bridal party as a playful prank to rattle my difficult future mother-in-law. What started as harmless fun quickly spiraled into a shocking confrontation, revealing a secret hidden in her designer bag that threatened to ruin my wedding day entirely.
This work is inspired by real events and people, but it has been fictionalized for creative purposes. Names, characters, and details have been changed to protect privacy and enhance the narrative. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental and not intended by the author.
The author and publisher make no claims to the accuracy of events or the portrayal of characters and are not liable for any misinterpretation. This story is provided “as is,” and any opinions expressed are those of the characters and do not reflect the views of the author or publisher.
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