Iris was so delighted. Her daughter Eliza was all set to get married to the love of her life, Daniel. So Iris shuffled toward her future son-in-law to give him her late husband’s diamond cufflinks.
But Daniel was walking too fast, and Iris had to race her achy knees. She watched him approach Melissa, one of the bridesmaids, and whisper something to her.
Then, they both walked away from the venue toward the back of the restaurant. Curious, Iris tiptoed behind them, only to see them slipping into a bathroom together…
For illustration purposes only | Source: Getty Images
Iris slightly opened the door, and her heart sank when she peered inside.
“I can’t wait anymore, babe,” Daniel tugged at Mellissa’s waist, pulling her closer.
“Not now, darling,” Melissa crooned. “If someone finds out, our plans will be ruined. Patience, babe…you just need to stay married for a little. Think of the big payday we’ll get when you divorce your boring wife. Millions of dollars worth…but now control yourself!”
For illustration purposes only | Source: Unsplash
Iris leaned over and glimpsed at Daniel and Melissa on the bathroom mirror. They were locked in each others’ arms, kissing passionately.
“Not now…” Melissa muttered. “We have to get back.”
“Not until you promise to meet me at my house later,” Daniel said. “We carry on like we always have…after Eliza’s gone to work!”
Melissa giggled. Unable to see or take it anymore, Iris hurried away to warn her daughter.
For illustration purposes only | Source: Pexels
Iris hurried to the dining room, but Eliza was not there. Suddenly, the MC called for everyone’s attention.
“Before we proceed to the wedding hall, the bride has a special gift for the groom,” he announced.
Eliza appeared on the stage and took the mic from the MC.
“…I’ve waited for a long time to find a real love…and I want to dedicate this to him!”
As the band behind Eliza started playing the chords, she sang a melodious love song. A hush fell over the room as Eliza finished singing.
The guests applauded, and Daniel rushed onto the stage and hugged her. Iris knew it would crush her daughter’s heart when she learned the truth about Daniel’s scheming.
For illustration purposes only | Source: Pexels
The MC interrupted the bustling wedding scene. “And now… love birds, your first dance!”
Iris weaved through the crowd and approached her daughter. “Eliza, I have to tell you something…it’s about Daniel.”
“Is everything okay, Mom?”
“Sweetie, he is…Can we talk privately?”
“Daniel’s waiting for me. We’ll talk after the first dance, okay?”
For illustration purposes only | Source: Unsplash
Melissa sidled around Iris and approached the bride. “Daniel’s waiting for you in the dance hall.”
Eliza was so gorgeous in her wedding dress as she followed Melissa to the door. Iris was shattered, and she did not have the courage to break her daughter’s heart on her big day.
So she watched in agony as the wedding proceeded. There was nothing she could do to bring Daniel and Melissa’s affair to light. There was only one way to expose him: Iris had to ensure Eliza caught him red-handed.
For illustration purposes only | Source: Unsplash
Eliza and Daniel drove Iris to the airport the following Monday to catch an early flight back home. Iris was disgusted to watch Daniel acting so lovey-dovey with Eliza.
Iris hugged Eliza goodbye before heading to the boarding lounge. Around 15 minutes later, she called a cab and returned to Eliza’s house.
Iris knew Melissa and Daniel would meet after Eliza went to work, and she decided to catch them.
For illustration purposes only | Source: Unsplash
When Iris arrived at Eliza’s house, she saw Melissa’s car parked in the driveway. She quickly called Eliza.
“Sweetie, my flight was canceled,” Iris told her daughter. “I hailed a taxi to your place…I’m feeling dizzy…can you meet me there?”
“Oh, God, Mom! I’m busy…but don’t worry. I’ll call Daniel and ask him, alright?”
“No, don’t call him. I want you to come here…please, it’s important.”
Eliza sighed. “Fine…I’m coming.”
Iris hung up and crept up to the window.
For illustration purposes only | Source: Pexels
She peered through the glass pane and saw nothing strange at first. Then, the door swung open as Daniel and Melissa entered the room, kissing each other.
He set her down, and the pair started making out on the couch.
Iris glanced at the street, but there was still no sign of Eliza. She peeked through the window and quickly looked away in disgust, seeing how things inside had heated up.
Iris stood by the curb, praying for her daughter to be there soon. Five minutes later, Eliza pulled up.
For illustration purposes only | Source: Unsplash
“Mom, are you okay?” Eliza approached Iris.
“No, I’m not. Your husband and that Melissa. They’re in there…fooling around.”
“WHAT?” Eliza was shocked.
“I’m sorry I didn’t tell you earlier. I overheard them on your wedding day…”
“You overheard what?”
“They are having an affair…and have planned to swindle you and take your money when Daniel leaves you,” Iris replied as Eliza froze.
For illustration purposes only | Source: Pexels
“Daniel and Melissa?” Eliza’s breath shuddered. “He’s always been nice to me…how did I not have a clue about this affair?”
“They’re in there right now…” Iris pointed to the door. “Why don’t you go see with your own eyes?”
Eliza nodded curtly and wiped her tears. She angrily marched to the front door, and Iris was right behind her.
They tiptoed to the living room. The sound of Daniel and Melissa giggling behind the couch echoed in the hallway.
For illustration purposes only | Source: Pexels
“What the hell’s going on here?” she yelled.
Iris rushed in but was caught off-guard by the sight before her shocked eyes. It didn’t make any sense.
Just mere minutes ago, when she looked through the window, Daniel and Melissa were engrossed in their intimate moment. But now, they were casually seated on the sofa like nothing had happened.
“Eliza? What do you mean?” Daniel replied. “Melissa and I were discussing work…Didn’t I tell you I’d be working from home this week?”
“You LIAR!” Iris pointed at Daniel. “I saw the both of you doing ‘things’ on that sofa…you must’ve seen us coming and gotten dressed.”
“Gotten dressed?” Melissa frowned. “Jesus…you think Daniel and I are having…an affair?”
“Just shut up,” Eliza snapped. “My mother saw you two in the bathroom on our wedding day…and now, in our house. You were so insistent on sharing our assets and money when we got married. And now I know why…Daniel, you married me for my money.’
For illustration purposes only | Source: Pexels
“That’s not true!” Daniel denied the allegation. “Being married means sharing everything. What’s mine is yours, Eliza. I’m sorry your mother thinks so cheap of me…but she’s mistaken. Melissa and I are friends and business partners. I thought you… trusted me.”
“I did, Daniel. But why would my Mom lie to me? I just…I just don’t understand.”
“Eliza, I love you…and I can prove it,” Daniel took Eliza’s hand.
He reached into his pocket and pulled out a bunch of keys.
For illustration purposes only | Source: Pexels
“See this?” He dropped the keys into Eliza’s palm. “I made the final payment for our new home yesterday. Melissa was here to help me with an idea to surprise you. But everything’s ruined now.”
“He’s lying, Eliza,” Iris insisted as she watched Eliza lift the keys with her trembling fingers.
But Eliza didn’t seem to hear. “You were going to surprise me?” she whispered.
“Yes! I wanted to drive you there in a blindfold…walk you onto the lawn…and show you our dream home. But I guess I’ll be staying there alone now. There’s no point in sharing my life with a woman who doesn’t trust me.”
Daniel snatched the keys from Eliza and stormed to their bedroom.
For illustration purposes only | Source: Pexels
“Wait, you can’t just leave me like this,” Eliza ran after Daniel. “I don’t doubt you…but I know Mom would never tell me something like this unless it’s true.”
Daniel stopped and turned around. “I don’t know what your Mom saw and heard. I’ve offered you proof. If you still don’t believe me, I don’t think this marriage can last.”
“I trust you…that’s why it hurts so much to think of you cheating on me. I love you, Daniel…”
“I love you too,” Daniel said. “I don’t understand what went wrong to make it easy for you to believe such awful things about me. If you truly believe that I’ve been unfaithful to you, tell me now. I’ll pack my things and leave you…forever.”
“I trust you! Please forgive me,” Eliza hugged Daniel as Iris couldn’t believe it.
For illustration purposes only | Source: Pexels
Iris’s heart raced in her chest. It was all too much for her. Her knees gave way as a dull pain spread through her chest. The last thing Iris heard was the piercing shrill of ambulance sirens.
For illustration purposes only | Source: Pexels
Iris was rushed to the hospital, where the doctors informed her she’d had a heart attack.
“You scared me, Mom…I’m glad you’re okay,” Eliza visited Iris and hugged her.
“I’ll feel a lot better if you tell me that you’ve kicked that fraudster and his mistress out.”
Eliza rolled her eyes. “Mom, please don’t talk about my husband like that. You’ve mistaken things about him…”
“Wake up, Eliza. He’s just using you. All that nonsense about buying a house was his way of guilt-tripping you into staying.”
“But it proves he loves me. Why would he want me to stay if he was only after my money?”
For illustration purposes only | Source: Pexels
“Why don’t you check your prenup, Eliza?” Iris snapped. “Good Lord, how do I make you understand that your husband is a gold-digger?”
“Mom, please stop this. Let’s not assume things and punish Daniel for something he’s never done.”
“Fine then,” Iris said. “If you don’t want to open your eyes and see the reality, then things are going to be different from now on.”
“What do you mean, Mom?”
Iris reached for her phone and dialed a number.
For illustration purposes only | Source: Pexels
“Hello, Mr. Simms…I’m calling you about my will,” Iris told her lawyer. “I want to make an urgent change. I’ve decided to leave all my wealth to charity. My daughter will not inherit a dime. And I want you to freeze her bank account. Yes…immediately. Thank you.”
“What?” Eliza stood shocked. “You can’t be serious.”
“I’m sorry, Eliza, but you left me with no choice. I don’t want our family’s hard-earned money being palmed to a gold-digger using you.”
“Fine!” Eliza yelled. “If you’re cutting me off your will, so be it. I don’t want to see you again.”
For illustration purposes only | Source: Pexels
The following few weeks were the most challenging days for Iris. She underwent heart surgery and was released from the hospital after a long recovery period.
She felt very lonely and even tried calling Eliza. But her daughter never answered, and Iris was heartbroken. She called her every day and sent her text messages.
Iris wasn’t surprised when there was no reply. But one day, her doorbell rang. When Iris opened the door, she froze in disbelief.
For illustration purposes only | Source: Unsplash
“Eliza?!” Iris teared up as a wave of emotions washed over her. “Sweetie…”
Iris stopped talking when Eliza looked at her with red, puffy eyes.
“It’s Daniel, isn’t it?” She wrapped her arms around Eliza’s shoulders and led her inside.
“I’m sorry, Mom…I should’ve listened to you,” Eliza sobbed. “You were right!”
Iris hugged Eliza. She hated seeing her daughter so heartbroken but was glad she was finally free from that money-grubber, Daniel.
For illustration purposes only | Source: Getty Images
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Ally bursts into the church and interrupts the bride, who is about to finish saying her wedding vow. Ally introduces herself as the groom’s ex-girlfriend and accuses him of being a con man.
This piece is inspired by stories from the everyday lives of our readers and written by a professional writer. Any resemblance to actual names or locations is purely coincidental. All images are for illustration purposes only. Share your story with us; maybe it will change someone’s life.
I Found Receipts for Thousands of Dollars in Dresses and Jewelry in My Husband’s Drawer — The Truth behind Them Broke My Heart
I Found Receipts for Thousands of Dollars in Dresses and Jewelry in My Husband’s Drawer — The Truth behind Them Broke My Heart
Carla thought she had everything nailed down with her perfect husband Andrew and their lively bunch of kids. But things got weird when she found receipts for fancy gifts in Andrew’s drawer—none of which were for her. As she digs deeper, what she uncovers could shake up everything she thought she knew about trust and loyalty.
A pile of receipts | Source: Flickr
Hey everyone, I’m Carla, and I guess I’m here because I really need to sort out my thoughts and maybe get some of your perspectives. I’m 28, married to the love of my life, Andrew, who’s 34. We’ve been together for almost a decade now, and honestly, he’s been nothing short of amazing.
Man giving a grateful woman a gift | Source: Pixabay
We have three adorable little ones—ages 6, 3, and 2—and I’m currently expecting our fourth. You could say our home is always bustling with energy and tiny giggles, which I wouldn’t trade for the world.
Little girl kissing a pregnant belly | Source: Pexels
Andrew has been an incredible partner through and through. He’s the kind of dad who’s not only present but really involved. He does school runs, helps with homework, and can get all the kids bathed and in bed almost as well as I can.
Man assisting a little girl with schoolwork | Source: Pixabay
And as a husband? He’s been my rock, especially during this pregnancy, which has honestly been a bit tougher than the last ones. But here’s where things got complicated.
Man kissing a pregnant woman’s belly | Source: Pixabay
Recently, I decided to do a big clean-up, you know, to make room for our new bundle of joy. It was going pretty smoothly until I opened one of Andrew’s drawers looking for some old photographs.
A desk with drawers | Source: Pixabay
Instead of pictures, I found a bunch of receipts tucked away under some papers. These weren’t just any receipts—they were for thousands of dollars’ worth of fancy dresses and jewelry. And none of it was ever gifted to me.
A woman looking at a piece of paper on a desk | Source: Pexels
I can’t even describe how I felt at that moment, my heart just sank. I started piecing things together in my head, and all signs pointed to something I never imagined: was Andrew cheating on me? It felt like my perfect little world was just starting to crumble around me.
Woman in shock | Source: Shutterstock
That evening was one of the longest of my life. I was a mess of nerves and anxiety, pacing back and forth in our bedroom, waiting for Andrew to come home.
The receipts lay spread out on our bed like some sort of accusation, each one a sharp reminder of my growing doubts. I rehearsed what I would say, how I would confront him, but when I finally heard the garage door open, all my plans just dissolved into a wave of fear and sadness.
Pregnant woman sitting on a chair with a dog by her feet | Source: Pixabay
Andrew walked into our bedroom, cheerful as he usually is after work, ready to tell me about his day, but he stopped mid-sentence when he saw the receipts and the look on my face.
“Carla, what’s wrong?” he asked, his smile fading into confusion and then concern as he picked up one of the receipts.
Man in a suit enters room with a serious expression | Source: Pexels
“Why, Andrew? All these receipts for fancy stuff, and none of it’s for me? What’s going on?” My voice was shaky, the hurt clear in my tone as I confronted him with the evidence strewn across our bed.
Woman with an expression of shock and confusion | Source: Shutterstock
Andrew’s face went from confused to pale as he quickly picked up one of the receipts. “Oh, Carla… I can explain. Please, just hear me out,” he said, his voice full of worry, not the guilt I was bracing myself for.
“Explain? Andrew, are these for someone else? Are you… seeing someone?” The words tasted bitter, and I struggled to hold back tears.
Man leaning forward with his hands joined together | Source: Pexels
“No, no, not at all, Carla. These aren’t what you think. They’re not for a lover or anything like that.” He stepped closer, his hands reaching out, but I wasn’t ready to be comforted, not yet. “Remember Jenny’s sister, Angela? I’ve been helping her out.”
“Angela?” My voice cracked, a mix of confusion and a flicker of relief starting to pierce the initial shock.
Woman looking confused | Source: Shutterstock
“Yeah, Angela. You know, Jenny’s little sister. After Jenny died, her family kind of fell apart. Angela’s mom went to prison, and things just got worse from there. I’ve known Angela since she was a baby. She needed someone, and I was able to help. So I did.” His eyes pleaded for understanding.
A young woman looking afar | Source: Pixabay
He explained how he’d been quietly looking out for her, making sure she had what she needed to feel normal—prom dresses, a car for her 16th birthday, a little sparkle for her graduation—stuff that made her happy, made her feel valued in a world that hadn’t been kind.
A young girl hugging the hood of a blue car | Source: Freepik
“Why keep this a secret from me?” I finally asked, the initial shock giving way to a tangled feeling of relief and concern.
“I thought I was protecting you—from extra stress, from worrying over this. I wanted to handle it myself.” He looked sincere, earnest.
Man bowing down in sorrow | Source: Shutterstock
I took his hand, finally, feeling the old, familiar comfort in his touch. But inside, my thoughts were a whirlwind of emotions—grateful for his honesty, yet overwhelmed by the sheer magnitude of what he’d been doing all this time.
A man and woman holding hands | Source: Pexels
As Andrew finished explaining, I felt this huge wave of emotions crashing over me. Relief, confusion, a bit of anger, and a whole lot of surprise.
I mean, here was my husband, a guy who’s already super dad and super hubby, also playing hero to a girl who’s had a rough life. It’s sweet, it’s noble, but also, why didn’t I know any of this?
Woman looking bothered | Source: Shutterstock
I had to sit down. My mind was racing, trying to process everything. “Andrew, I just… This is a lot. You’ve been like a father to her?”
“Yeah, I guess I have,” he admitted, sitting beside me. He looked drained, like a weight was lifted but another was put right back on. “Angela’s been through so much, Carla. And I was there through all of it. I just wanted to make sure she had opportunities, just like our kids.”
Distraught man wraps his arm around a distraught woman | Source: Shutterstock
I understood that, I really did. But there was this nagging feeling in the back of my mind. “And now a wedding, and a house? Andrew, that’s huge. That’s like… our kids’ college fund huge.”
He sighed, running his hands through his hair. “I know, I know it sounds like a lot. But Clara’s wedding is important to her, and the house, it’s not just any house. It’s a start for her new life with her husband. I want to give her that.”
Bride looking happy on her wedding day | Source: Pixabay
“But what about us? Our family?” I asked, my voice shaky. I mean, we’re doing okay financially, but we aren’t millionaires. Our youngest has had health issues, and those bills aren’t small. We have plans, savings for the kids’ schools, their future.
Woman gesturing as if explaining | Source: Pexels
Andrew turned to me, his eyes earnest. “Carla, I promise, this isn’t going to hurt us. I’ve got it figured out. Angela is like family too, and I can’t turn my back on her, not when I have the means to help.”
Man explaining to a woman | Source: Pexels
His conviction was clear, and it tugged at my heart. He was doing something wonderful, but at what cost? I was torn between admiring the man I love and worrying about whether his generosity might stretch us too thin.
Woman in deep thought | Source: Pexels
“Andrew, I love how big your heart is, but we need to think about balance,” I said softly, trying to keep the peace but needing to be honest about my fears. “Our kids, our baby on the way, they have to come first. We need a plan, something that includes Angela but also protects our family.”
Woman with her palms up as she speaks | Source: Pexels
“Yeah, you’re right. We should have a plan,” he agreed, nodding slowly. “I should have talked to you about this a long time ago. I’m sorry I didn’t.”
A man looking pensive seated on a chair | Source: Pexels
Sitting there with Andrew, still holding hands, I felt like my head was spinning. “We’ve really got to get our budget straight, especially with the new baby almost here,” I said, trying to steady my voice.
“Yeah, I know,” Andrew replied, giving my hand a reassuring squeeze. “We’ll figure this out together.”
Two hands holding a pregnant belly | Source: Pexels
That helped, but there was a whole tangle of feelings inside me that wasn’t so easy to smooth out. “We need to set some clear boundaries, Andrew. It’s great that you want to help Angela, but our kids have to come first. They depend on us.”
Man touching his pregnant wife’s belly as they stare at each other | Source: Pexels
Andrew nodded, looking thoughtful. “You’re right. I guess I’ve let things slide too far. I wanted to give Angela the chances Jenny never had. But I see now, it’s gotten out of hand.”
Man looking sullen | Source: Pexels
It was a relief to hear him say that, but it didn’t fix everything right away. How do you balance helping someone you care about with taking care of your own family? Where do you draw the line?
“We’ll work out a plan,” he said, trying to sound confident. But I could tell he was as torn as I was. This wasn’t just about money; it was about his past, about loyalty, and about doing the right thing without letting it hurt our family.
Man gesturing to a woman listening to him | Source: Pexels
We sat there in the quiet, long after the kids were asleep, not saying much as we both lost ourselves in thought. I knew Andrew had been dealing with this alone for a long time, and now that I was in on it, the responsibility felt both heavy and important.
Man and woman sitting in silence as the woman cuts up some grapes | Source: Pexels
I still wasn’t sure what the right answer was. How do we make sure our family’s needs are met without turning our backs on Angela? It felt like we were at a crossroads, and I really wasn’t sure which way was the right way to go.
Woman looking out the window | Source: Pexels
What would you do in my shoes? Should I ask Andrew to dial it back with helping Angela, given everything going on with our family right now? How do you choose between supporting someone who’s practically family, even if not by blood, and taking care of your own family’s immediate needs?
I’m really curious to hear your thoughts. Would you put your foot down, or would you find a way to keep supporting both our kids and Angela without hesitation? How do you balance the past that’s shaped your present with the future you need to build for your children?
A family watching the sunset | Source: Pixabay
Would you put your foot down, or just try to keep supporting both our kids and Angela without missing a beat? How do you juggle the stuff from the past that still hangs around with the future you’re trying to build for your kids?
Thanks for listening, and I appreciate any advice or experiences you might want to share.
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