«‘Are you here for the wedding this weekend?’ A strange expression crossed the woman’s face. «‘The Chenmether wedding? Yes, I. I might attend. Are you a friend of the bride or groom?’ The woman hesitated.
«‘I knew Anna. A long time ago.’ Before Father Michael could ask more questions, the woman hurried toward the exit. As she reached the door, she turned back.
«‘Father,’ she said, her voice barely above a whisper, «‘sometimes people are not who they seem to be.’ With that cryptic statement, she was gone, leaving Father Michael with an uneasy feeling that something was not right about the upcoming wedding. That night, as he prepared for bed, Father Michael found himself thinking about Anna’s request to skip the objection part of the ceremony, Robert’s surprise at her visit, and the mysterious woman’s warming. He tried to dismiss his concerns, but sleep didn’t come easily.
The night before the wedding, Father Michael couldn’t sleep. The church was ready, decorated with white flowers and silk ribbons. The organist had practiced the wedding march several times.
Everything seemed perfect, but something still bothered him. At 11.30 p.m., just as he was about to turn off his bedside lamp, his phone rang. Father Michael didn’t recognize the number, but he answered anyway.
As a priest, late-night calls were sometimes emergencies. «‘Hello, Father Michael speaking.’ There was silence, then a woman’s voice, barely above a whisper. «‘Father, I need to talk to you about tomorrow’s wedding.’ Father Michael sat up straight.
«‘Who is this?’ «‘That’s not important,’ the woman said. Her accent was similar to Anna’s, but her voice sounded older. «‘What’s important is that you must stop that wedding.’ «‘I’m sorry, but I can’t discuss my parishioners with strangers,’ Father Michael said firmly.
«‘If you have concerns, you should come to the church tomorrow end.’ «‘There won’t be time tomorrow,’ the woman interrupted. «‘The woman Robert is marrying. She is not who she claims to be.’ A chill ran down Father Michael’s spine as he remembered the mysterious woman at the church.
«‘What do you mean?’ «‘Her name is not Anna Chen. The real Anna Chen died two years ago in a car accident in California.’ Father Michael’s hand tightened around the phone. «‘That’s a serious accusation.
Do you have any proof?’ «‘Check her left wrist,’ the woman said. «‘The real Anna had a small butterfly tattoo there. This woman covers it with makeup and bracelets.
And you know this because—’ «‘Because I knew the real Anna. This woman is using her identity. Her real name is Linh Wai.
She was Anna’s roommate in nursing school. When Anna died, Linh took her papers, her identity, her life.’ Father Michael’s mind raced. He had noticed Anna always wore bracelets, even during casual meetings.
And there was something else. She avoided certain topics about her past, always changing the subject when Robert mentioned her nursing school days. But why would she do this? What does she want with Robert? The woman on the phone sighed.
«‘Robert’s family has money. His hardware stores are just the beginning. His uncle left him land worth millions.
Linh, she has always wanted a better life than the one she had in China.’ «‘If what you’re saying is true, I need to contact the police,’ Father Michael said. No, the woman sounded frightened. «‘If you call the police now, she’ll run.
She’s done it before. You need to catch her at the wedding, when she can’t escape easily.’ Father Michael wasn’t sure if he should believe this stranger. But then she said something that made his blood run cold.
«‘If you don’t believe me, ask her about the scar on her back. Anna had a surgery when she was twelve, a spinal procedure that left a six-inch scar. This woman doesn’t have it.’ Father Michael remembered something from last week.
During a rehearsal, Anna had worn a backless dress. Robert had placed his hand on her bare back, and Father Michael had noticed the smooth skin. There was no scar.
«‘Who are you?’ Father Michael asked again. «‘Someone who cares about justice,’ the woman replied. «‘Someone who can’t stand by and watch this happen to a good man like Robert.’ Before Father Michael could ask more questions, the line went dead.
He stared at his phone for a long time, then got out of bed and knelt to pray. Was this mysterious caller telling the truth, or was this some kind of jealous interference? Father Michael thought about Anna, her hesitation with certain personal questions, her vague answers about her past, the way she sometimes looked over her shoulder as if expecting to see someone. For the first time in his priesthood, he wondered if he should refuse to perform a wedding.
But he needed more than a stranger’s phone call. He needed proof. As dawn broke, Father Michael made a decision.
He would not call the police yet, he would not alarm Robert. But he would watch Anna carefully at the wedding, and he would look for that butterfly tattoo on her wrist. Whatever happened today, Father Michael knew the wedding would not go as planned.
The morning of the wedding arrived with perfect blue skies and gentle sunshine. By noon, St. Catherine’s Church was buzzing with activity. Flower girls practiced throwing rose petals down the aisle.
The best man kept checking his pocket for the rings. Robert stood in a side room, adjusting his tie in a small mirror. Father Michael knocked gently on the door.
May I come in? Father, yes, please, Robert said, turning with a broad smile. How do I look? Very handsome, Father Michael said, noticing how Robert’s hands trembled slightly. Nervous? A little, Robert admitted, but happy.
I can’t believe I’m finally marrying Anna. Sometimes I think I’m the luckiest man alive. Father Michael’s heart sank.
The anonymous caller’s words echoed in his mind. Could Robert be marrying an imposter, a woman who had stolen someone else’s identity? Robert. Father Michael began carefully.
I’ve been meaning to ask you. How did you and Anna meet? Robert’s face lit up. At the hospital.
I was visiting my cousin after his surgery, and Anna was his nurse. She was so kind, so attentive. I left my number on a napkin like some teenager.
He laughed. I never thought she’d call, but she did. And you’ve met her family? Robert’s smile faltered slightly.
No. Her parents passed away years ago, and her brother lives in China. Too far to travel for the wedding, unfortunately.
Convenient, Father Michael thought. No family to expose her. One more question, Father Michael said.
Does Anna have any birthmarks or scars? Something distinctive? Robert looked confused. That’s an odd question, Father. Just curious, Father Michael said lightly.