I’ve been with my fiancé for six years, and we were supposed to get married next month. But during a visit to my parents, he discovered their secret lifestyle, causing him to question our relationship too.
I’ve been with my fiancé for six years, but we’ve known each other for nine. We were supposed to get married next month, but then everything changed the course of our wedding journey.
We went to visit my parents to introduce him to more of my extended family before the wedding. My parents offered to host us, and we’ve been staying in my old room for the sake of nostalgia.
My fiancé, Adam, wanted to stay at a hotel, but I thought it would be fun to just have him share my old room with me.
“I don’t see why staying in your childhood home is going to change anything,” Adam told me when we were packing for the trip.
“Because it’s going to be my last time with my parents under their roof before I become a married woman. It’s going to be a sentimental moment,” I replied.
“If it gets uncomfortable, I’m just going to check myself into a hotel,” he said casually.
Of course, I didn’t expect what would happen next.
We got to my parents’ home, and everyone was excited to see us. My mother and aunt had cooked up an elaborate meal for us, ready to just sit down at the table and get to know Adam better.
All through dinner, everything went as well as expected, and Adam happily enjoyed having the attention centered around him.
“This is new for me,” he said as we did the dishes in between the mains and dessert. “I’m not used to having people pay attention to me like this.”
“It’s a good thing,” I said, handing him a plate. “You’re supposed to feel welcome and at home with my family, too.”
As the night died down and we all went to bed, ready for a good night’s sleep before the following day’s family outing to the local theme park, Adam kept disturbing my sleep.
“What’s going on?” I asked, turning to face him.
“I just can’t sleep, Sasha,” he snapped. “It’s not my bed, and I’m not used to sleeping in beds that aren’t my own. And your bed is lumpy and uncomfortable.”
“Just go and take a walk outside,” I grumbled. “The fresh air should make a difference, and you’ll come back and fall asleep.”
“Fine,” he said, getting out of bed and leaving the room.
I was just about to fall asleep again when Adam’s scream pierced the air. I bolted upright in bed with my heart racing.
What on earth was going on? Was there someone in the house? Were we in danger?
While my brain was moving a mile a minute, trying to decide what to do next, Adam stormed back into the room.
“What happened?” I blurted out, uneasy.
My fiancé’s face contorted in a mix of horror and anger, and he paused for a minute before he started yelling.
“I cannot believe it,” he yelled. “Your mom! Sasha! Your mother! She’s kissing another man in the foyer!”
My heart sank. I had hoped that we would have gotten through this entire visit without this.
If anything, I had always dreaded this moment, the time when my parents’ unusual and unconventional marriage would come to light.
I tried to explain, to calm him down, but he wouldn’t have it.
“Call your dad, Sasha,” Adam demanded. “Tell him that your mom is cheating right here in your own home.”
It seemed logical, simple even. And I understood why Adam would think that having my father involved would solve everything.
But he couldn’t be further from the truth.
Before I could react and begin navigating the explanation, my mom walked in, still straightening her clothes.
“I can explain,” she started, but my fiancé cut her off.
“Explain? What’s there to explain? You’re cheating on your husband in his own home!”
“It’s not cheating, darling,” she said softly. “Sasha knows, and she’ll explain it all to you. Shaun and my marriage is different. Very different. It’s unconventional compared to your usual marriage. You need to understand that, Adam, before you judge us.”
Adam turned to me, eyes wide.
“You knew? You knew about this, and you didn’t tell me?”
I tried to reach out to him, but he recoiled.
“I didn’t know how to tell you, and I’m not proud of keeping this secret. But it wasn’t mine to tell.”
“Sasha!” he said, his hands in the air. “You should have told me! This isn’t something that you just keep hidden from the person that you’re going to marry. I don’t know if I can trust you now. This was a setup, wasn’t it? You wanted to introduce me to this lifestyle, isn’t it?”
By this point, I was overwhelmed, and I couldn’t understand what Adam was getting at.
I was taken back to a memory from my youth. I was 16, and my friends were planning a sleepover at my home.
“You have the biggest room, Sasha,” my friend Brielle said. “Let’s have it at your place.”
“That’s perfectly fine with me,” I said. “I don’t think my parents will mind at all! And we can watch movies in the living room because my parents have a TV in their room now, so they won’t disturb us.”
“I’ll bring my cotton candy machine,” Brielle said excitedly. “We can have that and popcorn!”
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I remember going home after school and telling my mother all about our plans. She smiled and nodded enthusiastically.
“Sure, honey,” she said. “You girls can take care of yourselves. Dad and I have a dinner that evening.”
Little did I know that later that evening, I would discover the truth about my parents’ marriage.
My friends and I were all sitting on the couch when my parents walked in with another couple. My mother was holding tightly onto a man’s hand as she kicked off her shoes. My father was kissing the other woman.
When they saw me, they were shocked. And they had no choice but to explain the situation to me.
“We are married to each other, and we love each other. We’re committed, honey. But we’re also allowed to see other people if we want to,” my mother explained gently. “There’s nothing wrong with the way we are. And you need to understand that.”
Now, listening to Adam, I was taken back to the same flood of emotions.
“No, it’s nothing like that,” I said. “I am dedicated to you. I don’t want that lifestyle.”
But Adam wasn’t having it. He just wasn’t listening. Instead, he began to speak about his mother’s infidelity which had led to his parents’ divorce. It all made him see betrayal everywhere.
“Everything is a red flag for me, Sasha.”
He packed a bag and left for a hotel, saying that he needed a moment to reevaluate our engagement.
I spent the rest of the night crying, feeling the weight of my parents’ choices crashing down on my own relationship.
“You need to talk to him,” my mother said, giving me a cup of coffee. “Just go to him.”
I joined him at the hotel. We barely spoke, the silence heavy with everything left unsaid. I didn’t know if Adam still wanted to be together or not. I suggested that we move to my grandmother’s house for the rest of our stay so that we could talk about everything while still being comfortable.
“Yeah,” he said. “That’s okay with me because this hotel is too cold anyway.”
There was a coldness between us that hadn’t been there before.
“I’ve never kept secrets from you,” I told him. “I didn’t know how to bring it up. It’s not something that I like talking about because I struggled to understand it myself.”
Adam sighed, rubbing his temples.
“I get it. But this feels too close to home, Sasha,” he said. “I just need some time.”
We spent the rest of the week at my grandmother’s house, trying to finish the family visit in the best spirits we could muster. My parents apologized to Adam, but it didn’t matter anymore.
It wasn’t about them. It was about the fact that their actions had triggered my fiancé. On the drive home, Adam and I decided that we wanted to stay together and see where life took us.
“But I think we need to go to therapy,” I said, handing Adam a drink.
“I think that’s a good idea,” he said, biting his lip. “Because I need to uncover my own trauma before accepting your parents.”
Now, Adam and I have started talking about everything. From his fears, my shame, our future. We could only heal from this.
What would you have done?
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My Entitled Parents Demanded That I Give Them My New House — My In-Laws Suddenly Stood up for Me
When Carina’s parents kick her out after high school, she has no choice but to navigate her way around life. Years later, after making a success of her life, and her wedding is around the corner, she reaches out to them, only for them to storm into her life, trying to take ownership of what she has worked so hard for.
Lonely Woman Hides Her Son During a Date to Avoid Scaring the Man Away, but Regrets It the End – Story of the Day
Single mother Riley was trying her best to find love, even though it was tough. As soon as her dates found out she had a son, the romance quickly faded away. Her desperation grew, and Riley felt she had no choice but to hide her son. However, she immediately regretted that decision.
Riley stood in front of her 8-year-old son, Roy, with a heavy heart, unsure if she was making the right choice. At 32, balancing life as a single mother and trying to find love felt like walking a tightrope.
Ever since her ex-boyfriend walked out on her as soon as he found out she was pregnant, Riley had been left to raise Roy on her own.
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney
Over the years, she had embraced being a mom and built a world around her son, but deep down, there was still a longing—someone to share her life with, someone to love her as much as she loved Roy.
But finding that someone was harder than she ever imagined. Every time she met someone new, things seemed promising until they found out about Roy.
It was as if the mere mention of her child made them pull away. The disappointment stung every time, and Riley was growing tired of it.
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney
Now, with this new date on the horizon with Mitchell, she couldn’t shake the feeling that it was her last chance to see if there was hope.
Mitchell seemed different—kind, charming, and someone who could be the one. But she was afraid that if she introduced Roy too soon, she’d scare him off like the others.
“I don’t want to go to Kyle’s tonight,” Roy whined, clutching his favorite toy tightly in his arms.
His face was scrunched up in a pout, his big eyes pleading.
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney
“I want to stay here with you.”
Riley crouched down so that she was eye-level with her son, trying to push aside the guilt gnawing at her. She gently brushed a strand of hair off his forehead and forced a smile.
“Roy, it’s just for one night,” she said, trying to sound upbeat.
“You always have so much fun with Kyle. You two will stay up, watch movies, play games—it’ll be a blast. And I’ll pick you up first thing in the morning.”
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney
Roy’s expression softened slightly, but he still looked uncertain. “But what if I don’t want to sleep there?”
“You’ll be fine,” Riley reassured him. “It’s only for tonight, and tomorrow we’ll do something fun, okay?”
As much as she loved Roy, she needed this night to go well. She had arranged for him to have a sleepover at his friend Kyle’s house, something she rarely did. But tonight was different.
Tonight, she was going to see if there was a future with Mitchell, and to do that, she needed to focus on herself.
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney
She didn’t want to have to worry about Roy or the complications that might arise from mentioning she had a child too soon.
The taxi arrived at the Kyles house, and with one final hug, Riley sent Roy inside.
She felt a pang in her heart as she watched him walk up the steps, his shoulders slightly slumped, but she quickly reminded herself that this was necessary.
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney
She wasn’t doing this just for herself—if things went well with Mitchell, it could mean a better future for both of them.
As the taxi pulled away from Kyle’s house, Riley took a deep breath and tried to focus on the evening ahead.
She knew it wasn’t going to be easy, but she couldn’t help but hope that maybe, just maybe, this time would be different.
When Riley arrived at the restaurant, she spotted Mitchell waiting at a small table near the window. He looked sharp in a clean-cut suit, his hair neatly combed, and when he saw her approaching, his face lit up with a warm smile.
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney
Riley’s nerves immediately kicked in, but she had put effort into her appearance tonight—her favorite dress, just enough makeup to feel confident, and a pair of heels that made her feel taller.
She wanted to feel good about herself, especially since she was hoping this date could be something more than just casual.
They exchanged a few pleasantries as they sat down, but there was an awkward tension in the air.
Neither of them seemed to know what to say to get the conversation going. Riley’s mind raced as she tried to think of a topic to break the ice, but Mitchell beat her to it.
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney
“So, do you think the menu is a bit too… fancy?” Mitchell asked, a playful smile on his face. “I mean, I’ve never seen so many different kinds of salad in my life.”
Riley couldn’t help but laugh. The tension broke, and the joke made her feel more at ease.
“I know, right? Who knew you could have six varieties of lettuce?” she joked back.
With that, the conversation flowed more easily. They started talking about their favorite foods, funny stories from their jobs, and some light-hearted moments from their past.
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney
Riley found herself laughing more than she had in months, and for a while, she felt like she could enjoy the evening without overthinking everything.
But as they finished dinner and stepped outside for a walk, that nagging thought crept back into her mind. She still hadn’t told him about Roy.
The guilt weighed on her. She liked Mitchell, and they were getting along so well, but would that change if he knew she was a single mother?
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney
Taking a deep breath, Riley decided to test the waters.
“Mitchell, what do you think about kids?” she asked, trying to sound casual but feeling her heart race as she waited for his answer.
Mitchell’s expression shifted slightly. He hesitated for a second and then quickly changed the subject.
Riley’s heart sank. His avoidance was clear, and it made her even more anxious about telling him the truth.
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney
She didn’t want to lose this connection, but hiding such a big part of her life felt wrong.
Before she could figure out what to say next, her phone buzzed in her pocket. Startled, she quickly excused herself and answered. It was Kyle.
“Kyle? Is everything okay?” she asked, trying to hide her rising worry.
Kyle’s voice was shaky. “Roy fell really bad, and he won’t stop crying. You need to come get him.”
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney
Riley’s heart leaped into her throat. Her son needed her, and there was no question in her mind about what she had to do next.
Riley took a deep breath, her heart pounding as she turned to Mitchell. She knew she couldn’t avoid the truth any longer.
“Mitchell, I need to tell you something,” she said, her voice slightly trembling.
Mitchell looked at her with genuine concern in his eyes. “What is it?”
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney
“I have an 8-year-old son, Roy,” Riley admitted, the weight of the words hanging in the air. “I didn’t tell you earlier because… I was afraid it would scare you away.”
She paused, gauging his reaction. His face showed a hint of surprise, but he remained silent, letting her continue.
“I left him at his friend’s house tonight so we could have some space, but he just got hurt, and I need to go get him. I’m so sorry. I lied, and I shouldn’t have done that.”
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney
Mitchell stared at her for a few moments, and Riley braced herself for the worst. But then, he smiled softly, the corners of his eyes crinkling in a way that reassured her.
“Riley, it’s okay,” he said gently. “I understand. And honestly, I’ve been hiding something too.”
Riley blinked, caught off guard. “What do you mean?”
Mitchell let out a small sigh, running a hand through his hair.
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney
“I have a daughter. She’s twelve. I didn’t mention her because I was afraid of how you’d react too.”
Riley’s heart lifted with relief. “You do?” she asked, her voice softening with surprise. She hadn’t expected this.
Mitchell nodded.
“Yeah, and I get it, Riley. Being a parent is tough. You’re constantly juggling everything, trying to make sure your kid is okay while also trying to live your own life. Dating is even harder when you’re trying to balance it all.” He smiled warmly at her.
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney
“Why don’t I come with you? We can go get Roy together. I’d like to meet him.”
Riley’s eyes welled up with gratitude, a mixture of relief and joy washing over her.
She had been so scared of telling him, of being judged, but here he was, offering to help.
“You’d do that?” she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney
Mitchell smiled again, his expression calm and reassuring. “Of course. I know how important he is to you. Let’s go make sure he’s okay.”
Riley couldn’t believe how everything had turned out. She smiled back at Mitchell, feeling a sense of peace she hadn’t felt in a long time. Together, they headed to the car, ready to get Roy.
Mitchell drove Riley to Kyle’s house, his hands gripping the steering wheel a little tighter than usual. Riley sat beside him, her mind racing with worry about Roy.
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney
They barely exchanged words, but Mitchell’s presence was comforting. As soon as they arrived, they both hurried to the front door, their nerves apparent in their quick steps.
Kyle’s mother greeted them with a calm expression, clearly puzzled by their urgency. “Is everything alright?” she asked, looking from Riley to Mitchell.
“Kyle called and said Roy was hurt,” Riley explained, her voice trembling with concern.
Kyle’s mother’s brow furrowed in confusion, but she remained calm.
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney
“Oh, I’m sure he’s fine. The boys are just upstairs, playing video games. Come on, I’ll show you.”
Riley and Mitchell followed her upstairs, hearts pounding, though the woman’s calm demeanor reassured them slightly.
When they reached Kyle’s room, Riley pushed the door open carefully, bracing herself. There, sitting on the floor, were Roy and Kyle, engrossed in their game, completely unharmed.
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney
Relief washed over Riley as she knelt in front of Roy, her voice soft but full of concern. “Roy, what happened? Kyle said you were hurt.”
Roy blushed deeply, fiddling with the controller in his hands. “I… I just missed you, Mom. I wanted you to come back.”
Riley’s heart melted. She pulled Roy into a tight hug, tears welling up in her eyes. “Oh, Roy. You don’t have to make up stories to see me. I’ll always come back for you, no matter what.”
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney
Behind her, Mitchell chuckled softly, the tension in the air dissolving. “Well, looks like the crisis has been averted,” he said with a grin.
As they drove home, Riley couldn’t help but laugh at how the night had turned out. All the stress and fear had vanished, replaced by the warmth of the moment.
She glanced at Roy, who was happily chatting away in the back seat, and then over at Mitchell, who smiled at her.
“How about our next date?” Mitchell asked, his eyes twinkling. “We bring the kids.”
Riley smiled back, her heart light. “I’d like that.”
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