The Drowned Bride Legend

But beneath the surface of this idyllic scene, dark currents swirled. Jack's best man, Tom, watched the couple with barely concealed envy. His eyes lingered on Lisa's graceful form, his mind wandering to forbidden places. As he raised his champagne glass in a toast, his words carried a double meaning.

"To Jack and Lisa," Tom announced, his voice ringing out over the crowd. "May your love be as deep and eternal as the lake beside us."

Lisa's eyes flickered to Tom's for just a moment, a silent exchange that went unnoticed by all but the most observant guests. One elderly woman, Edith, frowned slightly, her rheumy eyes narrowing as she watched the bride.

As the celebrations continued, Jack found himself being pulled in different directions, greeting guests and making sure everything was running smoothly. In the midst of it all, he lost sight of Lisa. The reception tent buzzed with laughter and music, but a chill wind began to blow off the lake, causing the candles to flicker ominously.

Edith cornered Jack near the cake table, her gnarled hand gripping his arm with surprising strength. "Watch her, boy," she hissed, her voice barely audible over the music. "That one's got secrets in her eyes."

Jack laughed nervously, extracting himself from the old woman's grasp. "I'm sure I don't know what you mean, Mrs. Holloway. Lisa's an open book."

Edith's lips tightened. "Mark my words. There's more than champagne bubbling beneath the surface today."

Unsettled, Jack scanned the crowd for his bride. It wasn't until one of his friends approached him, a look of concern on his face, that Jack realized something was truly wrong.

"Hey, Jack... you might want to go check on Lisa," his friend said, nodding towards the end of the boat dock.

Jack felt a surge of panic as he made his way to the dock, his heart racing. The wooden planks creaked ominously beneath his feet, and the lake water lapped at the pilings with an almost hungry sound. And what he saw there made his blood run cold.

Lisa was sitting with Tom, their faces close together, lips touching in a passionate kiss. The white of her wedding dress stood out starkly against the gathering dusk, like a beacon of betrayal. Fury consumed Jack as he stormed towards them, his eyes filled with rage.

"How long?" Jack's voice was low and dangerous, causing the pair to spring apart guiltily.

Tom quickly pulled away, leaving Lisa alone to face her furious groom. "Jack, I can explain-" Tom began, but Jack cut him off with a savage backhand that sent the other man sprawling.

"You... how could you do this to me?" Jack yelled, his voice filled with hurt and betrayal. His hands clenched and unclenched at his sides, trembling with barely contained violence.

Lisa tried to explain, tears streaming down her face. "Jack, please, it's not what you think. We were just-"

"Just what?" Jack snarled. "Just making a mockery of our vows? Of everything we promised each other?"

"No!" Lisa cried, reaching for him. "Jack, I love you. It was a mistake, a moment of weakness. Please, you have to believe me!"

But Jack was beyond reason. In a blind fit of rage, he grabbed her by the throat and squeezed, his fingers tightening around her pale neck. Lisa's eyes widened in shock and fear, her hands scrabbling desperately at his iron grip.

"Jack, stop!" Tom yelled, scrambling to his feet. "You'll kill her!"