Ryan and I were about to get married. We met two years ago, by chance, at a community theater, and everything felt perfect. After a whirlwind romance, he proposed three months later at a pub over Guinness and potato skins. Our wedding was set—until Ryan’s mother, Audrey, dropped a bombshell 30 minutes before the ceremony.
Audrey pulled me aside just before I was about to walk down the aisle. Her expression was serious. “I need to show you something,” she said, pulling out her phone. I saw the video—Ryan, with another woman, in a hotel room. The shock hit me like a freight train. I felt sick.I questioned Audrey. “Are you sure this is him?” I asked. She pointed to the jacket on the bed—the same one I bought Ryan.I was in disbelief. “But the face isn’t clear,” I muttered, clinging to hope. Audrey pressed me. “Can you live with marrying a man who betrayed you?”
Conflicted, I decided to go through with the wedding. I would break it off at the vows. My heart was a storm of anger and confusion as I walked down the aisle with my father. Ryan greeted me with a soft smile, but it didn’t feel right.When it was time for vows, I said, “I don’t.” The church fell silent. Ryan was confused. “What?” he asked.“Ask your mom,” I said, pointing to Audrey. I demanded she show everyone the video. Ryan’s denial was frantic, but the video was too much. He argued with his mom, but I couldn’t look at him. I ran out.
That night, Ryan kept reaching out, but I blocked him. Two days later, he showed up at my parents’ house. “I need to talk,” he said, bringing flowers and takeout. What he revealed left me speechless: the video wasn’t real. Audrey had staged it. The woman in the video was one of her students, and she had orchestrated the whole thing because she didn’t want us to get married.The truth hit me harder than the lie. Audrey, the woman who’d welcomed me into her family, had tried to destroy us. I forgave Ryan instantly, but I didn’t know if I could ever forgive her.We’re still together, but the damage is done. As for Audrey? I’m not sure what comes next.