The sun was shining brightly and the breeze was beautiful in the garden of Villa Amor in Tagaytay. This was the day Mark and Sarah had been waiting for. After five years of dating, they finally came to the altar. Mark, 28 years old, is a handsome and handsome engineer. Sarah, 26, is a teacher who looks stunning in her simple wedding gown. Their wedding was called the “perfect wedding” by their friends. Everything was planned—from flowers, to food, to music. No one could have imagined that this perfect day would end in a nightmare.
At the end of the ceremony, everyone went straight to the reception. The surroundings were pleasant. Guests applauded as the newlyweds entered. “Ladies and gentlemen, Mr. and Mrs. Mark Santos!” cried the host. The food and dancing began. Mark was enthusiastic, shaking hands with guests, and kissing Sarah constantly. “I love you so much, Sarah. “This is the beginning of our forever,” Mark whispered to his wife as they danced their first dance.
But as the song played, Sarah noticed that Mark was sweating profusely. “Honey, are you okay? “Your hand is cold,” Sarah asked worriedly. “I’m just a little dizzy, Hon. Maybe from hunger or from the heat of the coat,” Mark replied as he took a sip of water. “Let’s sit down,” Sarah said.
At exactly 2:00 p.m., 30 minutes after their grand entrance, Mark suddenly fell ill. He clutched at his chest. “Ahhh! It’s sick!” she screamed. Before she could get up, Mark fell to the ground. Sigh. Muted. The mouth is bubbling.
“Mark! Mark! Help! “Call an ambulance!” she yelled. The visitors were stunned. The best man, Jericho, who had been Mark’s best friend since childhood, rushed over and tried CPR. “Dad! Fight back! “Not now!” cried Jericho. As time went on, however, Mark began to lose his temper. Her face turned purple.
An ambulance arrived and rushed Mark to the nearest hospital. Sarah came along, crying, her gown bleeding from falling to the floor. “Don’t leave me, Mark. “Please,” he repeated repeatedly. But when he arrived at the emergency room, the doctor pronounced Mark dead.
“Time of death: 2:45 PM.”
Sarah’s world was shattered. Her wedding day turned out to be her widow’s day. Guests at the reception were left stunned. The joyous music was replaced by tears.
Initial findings suggest that Mark died of cardiac arrest or aneurysm. “Maybe it’s the stress of wedding planning,” the aunts said. “A lot of people have been attacked,” said another. Sarah accepted that it might be so. But there was one thing he couldn’t get out of his mind. Before Mark died, he whispered: “The bitterness… “The bitterness of my drinking…”
At the request of Mark’s parents, an autopsy was performed. Three days later, while Mark was on the hill (still wearing his wedding suit), the results of the Toxicology Report came out.
The doctor’s and the police’s eyes widened.
Mark did not have a heart attack. He was poisoned.
A high dose of Cyanide was found in his system. Cyanide is a fast-acting poison that can kill within minutes to an hour depending on the amount.
“Poisoned my wife?!” Sarah screamed hysterically at the police station. “Who?! He has no enemies! Mark is very kind!”
The investigation has begun. Police have reviewed CCTV footage of the incident. They saw that before Mark fell, someone had handed him a “special drink” for toast. What’s Coming? Her best friend was Jericho.
Jericho was summoned. “I don’t know anything about that! He’s my friend! “I love you like a brother!” cried Jericho, still crying. “I even did CPR on him!”
Police found evidence on Mark’s cell phone. A thread of messages between Mark and Jericho, the day before the wedding.
He said: “You have to pay off your $5 million debt. Sarah and I had to buy a house after the wedding. It will be on the day of the wedding.”
Jericho: “Yes, man. Don’t worry. With your marriage, all our problems are over. I have a surprise for you.”
Police searched Jericho’s car outside the police station. Under the chair, they found a small vial with powder residue. When tested in the lab, it came back positive for cyanide.
That’s where Jericho came in. He confessed to the crime.
The motive? Money and Envy.
Jericho was addicted to gambling and was buried in debt. He borrowed the 5 million pesos that Mark had saved for the old business, but he lost it to the casino. He knew that Mark was going to charge him after the wedding. Unable to pay and fearing that he would go to jail if Mark found out the truth, he decided to kill his friend.
“I thought, when he died at the wedding, people would think he had a heart attack because of excitement,” Jericho admitted with a bow. “I mixed the poison with the wine I handed him before toasting. I thought I was going to get through.”
“You’re an animal!” she yelled as she slapped Jericho hard. “He looks like a friend to you!” Sister! Are you going to kill him just for the money?! 30 minutes, Jericho! My wife and I have only been together for 30 minutes.”
Sarah was stunned. The pain of truth is far greater than the pain of loss. The man who was standing next to Mark at the altar, the man who was supposed to protect him, was going to kill him.
Jericho was imprisoned and sentenced to Reclusion Perpetua or life imprisonment for Murder. There is no bail.
Sarah, though justice was served, was left devastated. Mark’s dream family was shattered. However, he used Mark’s remaining wealth to build a foundation that helps victims of gambling addiction and betrayal, to remind everyone that gambling and greed do nothing good.
On the anniversary of their wedding (and Mark’s death), Sarah visits the cemetery. She brought with her a wedding photo—the only one in which they were married, happy, and Mark was still alive.
This story is a reminder to us: Be careful with people you trust. Sometimes, the snake isn’t in the forest, but is right next to you, smiling, tapping you on the back, and calling you “brother.” Money can be earned, but life and trust, once lost, cannot be regained.
What would you do if you found out that your best friend had committed suicide? Can You Forgive? Scroll down below and share this story to serve as a warning to everyone!