Through His Eyes: How a Reflection Changed Everything About My Marriage

The Reflection in My Fiancé’s Glasses Made My Heart Drop — an Unexpected FaceTime Ruined My Marriage

Haley sees a glimpse of another woman in Chris’ sunglasses as she decides to FaceTime him to ask some questions about the wedding. All of her wedding-related thoughts abruptly turn into nightmares. Tracking his whereabouts, Haley is prepared to catch Chris in the act; when she does, the cocktails start flying, as does her engagement ring.

Through my blinds, the dull glow of early light began my day much like any other. Before it wasn’t, it was just supposed to be another day of finishing up chores and marking down the final eight weeks until our wedding.

I had to decide on the flowers in the end, and I planned to visit our neighborhood florist around midday to make sure I was satisfied with the mock-ups.

I thought things was going well, on the one hand. However, I couldn’t help but feel anxious that Chris wasn’t giving any thought to the wedding arrangements.

He gave me his full cooperation and seldom offered any criticism, as if he didn’t really think things through.

I knew I was being sensitive about things, but I wasn’t sure how to feel about it. All I wanted was the ideal day.

My closest friend Claudia advised me to “talk to him, Haley,” when I confided in her on a beach day. “Tell him why his input means so much to you.”

And I desired to. I wanted to announce to Chris that we were getting married in spite of everything. My parents had opposed the wedding from the start, and I was only 23.

My mother urged Haley to hurry up. Why the hurry? Before you settle down, you have a whole world to explore since you are still so young.”

“I love him,” I said, thinking that would enough.

“I’ll support you because you’re my daughter and I want you to be happy, but please, do not mistake my support for my blessing.”

I gave her a nod. I had faith that my mother would change for the better; she always did.

Nevertheless, my father would not even consider the subject.

“I don’t have anything to say about this, Haley,” he replied. “You’re too young. Furthermore, who is this boy? Chris is younger than you by a few years, yet he’s just starting out in his work. Is he able to help you?”

It was over a year ago at that point. My parents seemed to defrost after that. They were not sure about our marriage, but they did accept Chris.

Before going to the florist, I made myself some coffee and got comfortable in my home office, ready to take on the day.

I took a quick look at the framed picture of Chris and me in Paris, which seemed like a long time ago.

I sighed as I took up my phone and saw his happy smile lighting up my wallpaper. I had another call to make during the day to find out his preferences for the reception meal and the flowers he preferred.

As had become our habit, I tapped FaceTime, anticipating another brief check-in.

When the call went through, Chris was there wearing sunglasses and lounging back in his car with music blaring.

He casually said, “Hey, babe,” while popping a mint into his mouth. “I’m just driving to meet with the guys, is this urgent or can I call you back?”

I couldn’t even form a response before something strange caught my attention. Perhaps the gray interior of his automobile, or the road, was visible through the glitter of sunshine reflecting off his glasses.

That’s not what I saw, though.

Rather, there were the distinct contours of two legs, slackly positioned on his dashboard. The carefree, naked legs of a woman. An gold anklet that gleamed in the sun.

My heart fell deep into my gut, and I lost all sense of reality.

I managed, my voice a mere whisper of its regular self, “No, it’s nothing urgent.”

In a panic, I snapped a screen grab of the final picture before Chris hung up.

My heart beat in my ears, accusing and loud, even after the phone ended.

As I examined it, my fingers began to shake; it was so evident—yet so unbelievable—that there had been betrayal. I emailed it to Claudia because I needed a second opinion.

“Am I seeing this right?” I sent a text while the screenshot was streaming over our shared digital screen.

She responded quickly, giving me a call right away.

She remarked, “Those are definitely woman’s legs.” “What the hell is he doing?”

“I’m not sure,” I said. “Now what?”

Look up his location to find out where he is. Head over to check up on him. If you’d like, I can meet you there.”

On my phone, I opened Chris’s location. It was there, a small blinking dot traveling steadily down the freeway. Soon after, it made its home at a neighborhood restaurant-bar that our friends frequently frequented.

I was not thinking. I was unable to.

While I was busy organizing our nuptials, Chris was spending time with a woman. She would have probably leaped into the frame and greeted me if he had stated it over the phone if he had been with any of our friends.

No, this was a fresh face.

My fiance was seeing someone else when they spent time together.

I stood in front of my closet and made robotic motions as I tried to pull on anything to change into. My thoughts was racing with rage and incredulity.

It felt like a nightmare was becoming deeper with every mile as we drove to the pub.

I had no idea what I would discover, but I was certain that whatever Chris was planning, it would destroy my heart.

I needed to clear my head, so I drove while the music was blaring on the radio.

There was a lot of laughter and clinking of glasses in the restaurant, which was a far cry from the storm inside of me. Naturally, that’s where I found Chris.

He was laughing at a table with a woman who had to be the same one from the car because she was wearing a small gold anklet. He smiled at her the way he used to grin at me, while her hand was resting on his arm.

I considered taking a seat at a table and watching them. My crazy mind tried to convince itself that perhaps I had miscalculated. However, my logical and sensible side told me the scene was exactly as I had imagined it to be.

All I was going to get out of sitting and watching was anxiety.

Once a representation of vows and aspirations for the future, my engagement ring felt like a shackle. I slid it off my finger with a steady deliberation.

With more stability in my hands than I felt within, I purchased a glass of champagne at the bar. Chris looked up as I walked up to their table, his smile giving way to bewilderment.

“Haley, what—”

But as soon as I flung the champagne in his face, he stopped talking. The ring came next, hitting his glass on the table with a clink.

With a hissy fit, I said, “You can choke on your proposal,” the words tasting bitter. “Since it clearly meant nothing to you.”

There was a gasp from the woman next to him, but I ignored her. I turned and left, the hum of people around me dispersing like a sea.

I canceled the entire order and drove straight to the florist, arriving in time for our appointment. I then made a direct drive to my folks’ home.

Shortly after I rang the doorbell, my mother said, “Hello, honey,” and opened the door.

“Hi, Mom,” I said, putting an embrace around her.

She enquired, “What’s wrong?”

As is customary in our household, my mother brought out cookies and ice cream along with some tea.

“So, that’s it?” the woman enquired.

I gave a nod.

I said, “You know you can say it.”

“What?” she asked with a smile.

“That you told me so,” I murmured.

However, she didn’t. Rather, she gave me a hug and packed her luggage to come visit me for a little while. I didn’t want Chris to move in until after we were married because I was still living alone.

My mother said, “I’ll take care of you while you figure it out.”

I returned to my apartment by myself; my mother would meet me there thereafter, once she had informed my father about the latest development when he arrived home.

I’m currently enjoying a bowl of ice cream while sitting in bed. Since I am at a loss on what action to do.

How would you respond?