I Discovered My Fiancé’s Betrayal—And My Own Family Kept It a Secret

My wedding rehearsal dinner was supposed to be a happy occasion, but instead it was a night filled with startling disclosures. I learned of my fiancé’s treachery and the part my family played in keeping it a secret. Everything I had ever known about loyalty and love was destroyed as the truth came to light.

I watched as Andy, my fiancé, prepared to depart once more. He had been vanishing somewhere all the time lately. I couldn’t shake the feeling.

“Do you really have to go?” I asked, attempting to seem calm.

It’s for work, yes. “I can’t refuse,” Andy said, avoiding eye contact.

Trying to sound informal, I remarked, “You seem to be going out for work quite often these days,”

Andy paused his task and turned to face me. “What are you implying?” he inquired, his tone slightly defensive.

“Nothing,” I hurriedly answered. “Just stating a fact.”

However, I was beginning to suspect something. It didn’t feel quite right.

After gathering his belongings, Andy entered the restroom. I had a persistent suspicion that he was unfaithful to me. He was constantly going somewhere, texting someone, and attending meetings.

Every time he departed with little explanation, my heart fell. Abruptly, a message appeared on his phone. I heard the shower turn on and looked at the bathroom door. The flat was filled with the sound of running water. This was my opportunity.

The idea that he was cheating on me was unbearable, even though I knew it was wrong and I had never done it before. As I picked up his phone, my hands shook. Andy was unaware that I had the passcode to his phone. It worked in my favor now. I swiftly checked the message’s origin after unlocking his phone.

The group chat had the name “Andy and Kira.” A beat skipped in my chest. I didn’t know what this was about, and Kira was my best friend. I needed answers to the questions that were racing through my head.

I checked the chat’s participants. My mother, my sister, my brother, Andy, and Kira. What the fuck? My chest was thumping with my heart. I noticed that the chat was made eight months ago as I scrolled to the top of it. Andy sent the initial message.

@Andy:

I apologize that you had to learn about Kira and me in this manner. I can’t let Erin know, though. I still want to wed Erin since I love them both.

At first, my mother was upset. She claimed that Andy couldn’t treat me in this manner, but a few days later, she sent me a message.

@Clarissa:

Are you truly in love with Kira?

@Andy:

Indeed.

My sister Maria and brother Scott then joined in.

@Scott:

Perhaps you ought to attempt an open relationship.

@Maria:

Yes, it’s really well-liked right now. This is how many couples live.

@Andy:

We’ve spent too much time together. An open relationship would never be acceptable to Erin.

@Clarissa:

We will then assist you. Until you are prepared to speak with Erin, we will assist you in concealing this relationship.

@Andy:

Many thanks, everyone! Thank you so much.

What I was seeing was unbelievable. How could my family have the gall to tell my fiancé this while keeping it a secret from me for so long? I took a lot of screenshots as I browsed the chat.

When I became ill and was unable to travel, I learned that Kira had taken a trip with my family and Andy. The thing that devastated me the most was not Andy’s infidelity but rather my mother’s complacency and even encouragement of him.

Since I was her child and not Andy’s, I couldn’t understand how mom could do this. I sent myself screenshots of the entire conversation, including the one between Andy and Kira, which contained a number of explicit images from both of them, and erased them from Andy’s phone so he wouldn’t see them.

I wanted to smack Andy as he got out of the shower, but I tried to seem normal. I ignored the fury that was building within of me as I watched him go about the room getting dressed.

I felt a mixture of betrayal and anger as my heart raced in my chest. He grinned at me without knowing.

I saw Andy get ready and head to the door. Despite the overwhelming want to approach him at that moment, I made an effort to maintain my composure.

After saying, “Goodbye, honey, I love you,” he planted a kiss on my cheek. Right then, I wanted to rip my flesh off.

“Me too,” I answered, attempting to hide my discomfort.

I was unable to find calm for a few days, and my nerves were making me sick all the time. I wanted to throw Andy in his face since he became very worried and even got me a pregnancy test. I didn’t need to become pregnant by this jerk. My annoyance and rage increased each time I saw him.

But when the rehearsal dinner day finally came, I was prepared to tell everyone what Andy and my family had done. I felt like my entire body was trembling from anxiety.

Before supper, Andy remarked, he had to go somewhere. “To your lover, Kira?” I wanted to say, but refrained. However, I was relieved that he was leaving since I didn’t want to see him or be in the same space as him.

I collected all of the screenshots and scheduled their distribution for 5:30 p.m., which coincided with the rehearsal dinner. My family, Andy’s family, Kira’s family, and all of our friends would receive them. It was the only way to ensure that everyone understood the truth, even though I knew it would be explosive.

My mother and her husband were already at the restaurant when I got there. I felt like I was about to throw up when she gave me a hug. To prevent suspicion, I gave her a short hug in return.

My mother said, “You have no idea how happy I am for you and Andy,” in an animated tone.

My response was, “Yes, me too,” with a forced smile. I did the best I could.

Everyone appeared to be extremely content, and the restaurant was exquisitely adorned. Knowing that there was betrayal beneath the surface, I was sickened to see them all so happy.

I saw Kira and a few of our friends laughing. It seemed as though she hadn’t been skulking around with my fiancé because of how carefree she appeared.

My nervousness increased as more visitors showed up. I continued to check my watch, keeping track of the minutes until 5:30 p.m. When Andy eventually arrived, he greeted everyone with a broad smile and pretended nothing was wrong.

There was a lot of conversation and laughter in the diner. Andy got up to make a toast after everyone had assembled. He caught everyone’s attention by clearing his throat.

Andy started by saying, “Thank you all for coming today,” “I can’t express how much I love Erin and how happy I am that our families can now unite into one big family.”

He has no right to say that. My stomach turned over. What gave him the confidence to say this? But I continued the performance, grinning and nodding. Sitting there, Kira smiled as though she hadn’t cheated on me.

Andy went on to talk. “I knew Erin was the love of my life the moment we met. I want to be with her all the time. Our initial date—”

The simultaneous ringing of everyone’s phones prevented him from finishing. Incredulously, they checked their screens and looked around.

My mother’s eyes gleamed as she inquired, “Did you prepare a surprise for us?”

I smiled artificially and said, “Something like that, but I’m not sure you’ll like it.” My chest was thumping with my heart.

“Cease it. You must have done a fantastic job—” Mom checked her phone’s messages and froze in disbelief. Her face was pale, and she was unable to continue her sentence. As I observed her response, I experienced a mixture of joy and sadness.

Sitting close by, Kira gave Andy a terrified expression. Andy’s expression changed from bewilderment to terror as he reached for his phone. His eyes were wide with terror as he gazed at me.

His voice trailed off, “Erin, I can explain everything,” However, he was not given the opportunity.

With a scarlet face from anger, my aunt Teresa leaped from her chair. “You cruel sorceress! How did you accomplish this? Her voice trembled with rage as she yelled at my mother.

“Am I heartless? All of this was arranged by Erin! How are you able to destroy our lives? With her eyes flaming with rage, my mother yelled back.

While Aunt Teresa screamed at my mom and called her every possible name in the book, my grandparents attempted to restrain her. With everyone yelling and fighting, the restaurant descended into anarchy. The happy scene has become a battleground.

Kira came running toward me, her eyes beseeching. “I’m so sorry,” she murmured, her voice shaking. However, I hope you can see that we were unable to control our emotions. I hope we can overcome this and stay friends because we’ve always been the best of friends.

Her remarks infuriated me. The sound of my heavy slap across her face reverberated throughout the room. “How dare you call yourself my best friend after everything you did?!” My voice broke as I yelled.

“Erin! “Avoid touching her.” Andy shouted and came running to us.

I turned to face him, wrath shining in my eyes. “I’ve never seen a more pitiful man than you. Since you’ll have to put up with this, I genuinely feel sorry for you.”

Andy stepped back, looking discouraged, and his face sank. People were screaming and crying, and the place was in disarray. I experienced an odd sense of tranquility. The facts were out. There was no going back. I had revealed their treachery.

Aunt Teresa was still shouting at my mother when I left them and went to her.

I took her arm and remarked, “Let’s go, they’re not worth it.” As we made our way to the restaurant’s exit, Aunt Teresa listened to me. I flipped the cake on the table and sent it crashing down before I left.

“Enjoy your sweet life, lovebirds!” Over my shoulder, I yelled. Together, Aunt Teresa and I left the restaurant.

Aunt Teresa gave me a worried look once we were outdoors. “I’m so sorry,” she murmured in a quiet voice.

I tried to seem calm as I answered, “It’s going to be okay.” “At the moment, I’m just glad Andy covered the whole wedding costs. It was meant to be tomorrow, so he won’t receive a dime back.

Aunt Teresa gave a nod. “Considering how many guests you were going to have, he’s definitely going to be bankrupt.”

“Yeah,” I replied, feeling a little pleased. Additionally, I discovered emails that Andy and Kira exchanged disparaging his supervisor. Given that those screenshots somehow reached Andy’s boss, I have a hunch that he will soon lose his job.

Aunt Teresa’s eyebrow went up. With a faint grin on her lips, she answered, “And they say miracles don’t happen,” We both chuckled.

Tears were running down my face, but the laughter felt amazing. Even though I knew I had made the right decision, my heart was devastated. Everyone would receive their just desserts.

Aunt Teresa wrapped her arm around me as we left the restaurant. “Erin, you made the correct decision. You’ll overcome this because you’re strong.”

“I hope so,” I said while dabbing at my eyes. “It just hurts so much right now.”

“I know it does,” she said. “However, you’ve started the process of moving on. You’ve revealed the reality. You can now begin your recovery.

We continued to walk, and I felt both relieved and sad. There was no going back now that the truth was out. At least I wouldn’t have to face it alone, but it was time to confront whatever lay ahead.

I said to Aunt Teresa, “Without you, I don’t know what I would have done.”

“You’ll always have me,” she added. “We’re family, and we stick together.”

I grinned as her words gave me some solace. We left the mayhem behind and carried on down the street. It was a fresh start, and I was prepared to take it on.