How This Mother-of-the-Groom Dress Ruined a Wedding

Finding Love

Just when she almost felt like giving up on love, it seemed like fate had finally come to Virginia and knocked on Tracey’s door. Rick and Tracey worked together. The day they met, Tracey knew she had met the one. They had so much in common that they couldn’t believe it. Both loved traveling, shared the same hobbies, and had similar opinions on so many things.

It was only a matter of time before Tracey and Rick had started dating.

Though they were caught up in a whirlwind romance, it felt like a breeze. Never had dating been this easy before. Tracey kept thinking that she’d wake up from a dream, but that day never came. Tracey had found love.

The Happiest Couple in the World

If you met any of Tracey and Rick’s friends or co-workers, they’d all agree on one thing – Rick and Tracey were the happiest couple in the world. They weren’t irritatingly so, but endearingly so. With Rick in Tracey’s life and Tracey in Rick’s, the two blossomed.

They had both found a previously undiscovered confidence inside themselves that they’d never known and couldn’t believe how lucky they both were. It was clear that their relationship was very special. Soon things became serious. Not only did Tracey meet all of Rick’s friends and vice versa, but now she was due to meet Rick’s mom.

A Spanner in the Works

It’s true that you can’t have everything. While Tracey was completely elated at having met the wonderful man, Rick, and overjoyed at being his girlfriend, after meeting the family, she realized quite quickly that there was a spanner in the works – his mother, Gina. It was clear after their first meeting that Gina wasn’t too impressed by Tracey. The worst part is Gina took no trouble hiding her thoughts about Tracey.

Things were off to a very rocky start. It troubled Tracey a lot. The only time Gina was ever nice to Tracey was when it was obviously fake, which Gina intended for Tracey to know. Her fake smile left her more unsettled than her sour frown.

Faking Friendliness

It was clear that Rick doted on his mother, so Tracey resolved to be as polite and courteous as possible whenever she was around Gina. Easier said than done. She tried to not let Gina get her down even if Gina was trying her best to do just that. But it was Gina’s fake friendliness that got to her. She wondered how Rick couldn’t see through his mother’s very thin sheet of kindness.

Nonetheless, Tracey became bent on being the mature person in the relationship. She didn’t want to affect Rick’s relationship with his mother so whenever Gina criticized or remarked on something Tracey had done, which obviously could have been done better, Tracey was the bigger person.

Resounding Resentment

Tracey for the life of her couldn’t figure out why Gina treated her so cruelly – why she went out of her way to make an icy remark or make subtle implications that Rick could do better. Of course, Tracey knew she wasn’t a perfect girlfriend, but who after all was? And the things that Gina picked on Tracey about, Rick seemed to adore about her. It was so confusing.

But the fact that Gina deeply held some kind of grudge against Tracey made her believe that there was something else going on. It seemed that the more Gina went after Tracey, in the same breath, the more she idolized Rick. Tracey believed a deep, lingering resentment lay in Gina; one that she couldn’t conceal from her son’s girlfriend.

Mommy’s Boy

Almost immediately after meeting Rick, Tracey knew that Rick had a close relationship with his mother. This was one thing that Tracey liked about Rick. He was a bit shy to admit that he was a “Mommy’s boy,” but she liked that he had confided in her. Tracey also admired that Rick was there for Gina. He checked in regularly with her and tried to give her a helping hand.

For Tracey, these only made her have greater esteem for Rick because it meant that deep down, he was kind and looked after the people he loved. She didn’t want a man who neglected his mother, especially as Rick’s dad wasn’t around. But somehow, Tracey couldn’t help thinking that this was the root of all her problems with Gina.

Something Amiss

Once Tracey figured out that Gina’s resentment probably came from losing her son’s undivided attention, it quickly became clear that she had overlooked how much of a “Mommy’s Boy” Rick was. Or rather how much of an overbearing mother Gina was. Sometimes, during dinner, Gina would cut up Rick’s food into smaller pieces. Or she would comb Rick’s hair or sit in his lap, which didn’t sit all that well with Tracey.

What sat even more uncomfortably with Tracey once when they all went out, Gina got up to her usual antics of cutting up Rick’s food, and then she fed him in public! Tracey was stunned. No, horrified! She could understand if Rick were an invalid, but this was simply inappropriate.

A Torn Man

The last place anyone wanted to be in was in Rick’s shoes. He felt like he was in No Man’s Land. He’d never felt the way he felt about Tracey with anyone before. Being with her, he felt safe. Even if he made a mistake, Tracey would be on his side, rooting for him to pick himself up and try again. That made all the difference. But for as long as he’d known, it’d always been him and his mother.

She’d given up her whole life for him. Even though he knew both women cared for him deeply, there was a constant tug-of-war between them – and he was the rope! He tried his best to juggle, giving them equal amounts of attention, but this only made matters worse.

Man of the House

For as long as he could remember, Rick had been the man of the house. As he got older, he started to embody this role more and more. First, it was helping his mother to carry heavier things. Second, it was learning to fix things around the house. Finally, he had decided long ago that he wanted to take care of his mom so that she’d never feel neglected or alone.

While his school friends were preoccupied with girlfriends and having fun, he dedicated himself to studying and working hard so that he could take care of his mom. Meeting Tracey was a dream come true, but his original plans hadn’t changed. Tracey, after all, would help him take care of Gina and add more joy to all their lives.

Marriage on the Cards

Rick had no idea that he’d one day meet Tracey, a woman whom he wasn’t only attracted to but one who’d stand by his side. While meeting Tracey wasn’t part of the plan, marrying her certainly became part of it. After dating for some time, Rick was sure he wanted Tracey to be with him for the rest of his life. He wasted no time in letting her know.

But first, he wanted to get her a dazzling ring that would go with her dazzling smile, especially once she knew she’d be his fiancé. He didn’t break the bank, but he almost did. Rick arranged the perfect date, got down on one knee, and proposed to Tracey. Before she could catch her breath, Tracey said, “Yes, yes, yes.”

Engagement Elation

Tracey’s heart was soaring. She hadn’t felt this happy before. Every day since dating Rick, she believed one day she’d wake up from this dream, only to realize it had just been a dream. But with the beautiful engagement ring, she knew it was real. It was as if all doubts were suddenly dispelled by this platinum band around her finger.

It was undeniable proof that their love was as real as the metal and precious stone used to mold her engagement ring. Tracey hoped that Gina knew that too. She hoped that Gina had gotten Rick’s message: that she was a keeper. And she was going to be around for a long time.

The Ring

We’re not talking about “The Ring” where a deranged girl climbs out of a well and goes on a horror spree. No, Tracey would have welcomed that “ring” any day. Actually, the problem wasn’t with the ring. Rick had gotten down on his knees and presented her with the most magnificent ring she’d ever seen.

It wasn’t anything over the top, but it was certainly elegant. And it must have been quite steep, but Tracey couldn’t believe how Rick spoiled her so much. The only problem is that “the ring” set Gina off.

She bickered about the price and subtly mentioned that Tracey wasn’t deserving of it. Even if Tracey explained that it wasn’t a diamond but a moissanite, Gina only shrugged and went full steam ahead with her complaints.

Monster-in-law

Following the engagement, Tracey had been praying that Gina would get the message that she was here to stay. Whether she did, Gina didn’t give any sign. In fact, the engagement only seemed to add more fuel to Gina’s engine. And now she had a range of things to criticize. Tracey kept her cool in the face of Gina’s constant criticism over issues of the wedding’s style, décor, catering, and color scheme.

With the continuous barrage and bombardment of snide comments, Tracey kept having to ask herself, “Whose wedding was this really?” Rick saw his mom as trying to do her part, which she constantly reminded the happy couple of, but Tracey failed to see how stepping on Tracey’s toes over everything was making things easier.

Galia Lahav Wedding Dress

Tracey decided to turn her attention to the one thing she knew was only the bride’s department – her wedding dress. This was one thing where there was no room for Gina’s opinion – though knowing Gina she’d have something to say. Tracey had always pictured herself as the dazzling bride, but she didn’t want to just be gorgeous.

She wanted to turn heads – specifically one head, the head of her husband-to-be. Soon, Tracey came across Galia Lahav, an Israeli designer who specialized in wedding dresses. Tracey spotted her dress – not just any dress, but the dress she had to get married in.

A Tidy Sum

Wedding planners and fashionistas probably have heard all about Galia Lahav Couture. If there’s one thing people know about Galia Lahav is that such a wedding dress wouldn’t come cheap. Tracey soon learned this. Though she bit her lip when she paid her deposit, Tracey knew that she had found her wedding dress.

It cost her a tidy $16,000 but it was money well spent – after all, it was for the most important day of her life. She couldn’t wait for Rick to see her in that stunning gown on the big day. She can just imagine the wonder and delight in his eyes.

Wedding Dress With a Twist

Any who knows anything about Galia Lahav wedding dresses knows that this fashion designer doesn’t play by the rules. While brides are meant to be demur and modest, this Israeli fashion designer isn’t afraid to pull out all the stops. A Galia Lahav wedding dress tends to be sexy if not provocative. The designer isn’t afraid to work sheer material into the dress or to have dipped necklines.

As Tracey was looking to make a fashion statement and be the most enchanting bride, the gown she had paid for was just what she needed. With the backdrop of the sea on a secluded beach, she would play her role as the bride perfectly. She would simply stun her wedding guests but more importantly, Rick.

Destination – Colombia

What could be better than having one’s wedding on a secluded beach in Colombia? Cartagena and San Andres Island are some of the most magical spots in the world. Few people know that Colombia, located in the most north-western part of the South American continent, had its own stretch of the Caribbean Sea.

Simply mentioning the Caribbean Sea, visions of clear, crystalline waters come to mind. These were the thoughts going through Tracey’s mind as she considered Colombia as the location of her wedding. Of course, she broached the subject with Rick – and he was crazy about it. That was established – they were going to get married in Colombia!

Squabbles

Needless to say, Rick and Tracey knew one person wasn’t about to start gushing about their choice of wedding location. As soon as they told Gina during dinner that they had picked a secluded beach in Colombia, the dissatisfaction was pasted all over Gina’s face. For a second, they thought she had changed her mind about giving her opinion.

But then the floodgates opened, and every complaint and hypothetical crisis came gushing out.

Though they’d be open to suggestions and remarks, they just knew that Gina never had anything positive to say. Everything Tracey had ever come up with, done, or said was something Gina took issue with. Gina never had a positive comment about anything.

Location, Location, Location

Gina simply couldn’t understand the couple’s need to spend a fortune on their wedding location. And it wasn’t only the couple who’d have to break the bank, but relatives and close friends too. Being 1800 miles away wasn’t the only issue. How can the couple arrange a wedding in a foreign country where no one speaks a word of English?

Okay, that’s probably a bit of an exaggeration, but many things can go wrong on the big day, and you want to make sure you can communicate clearly to hosts, caterers, waiters, and musicians. Fat chance if they speak another language.

Other Concerns

To be fair, Gina brought up some valid points. She was concerned about how traveling to the wedding location would cost a massive fortune, not only for the guests but for Tracey and Rick. She also wasn’t sure how safe Colombia was for tourists. Everyone knew stories of an infamous kingpin whose power from illegal activities gave him an incredible amount of power but made Colombia a hotspot for crime.

She brought up these concerns with Tracey and Rick. The bride might have been open to the criticisms, but she had been so used to Gina getting at her for everything that she couldn’t bring herself to listen to Gina’s thoughts. This just seemed like Gina being Gina – getting at Tracey over everything.

The Topic of the Wedding Dress

Assuming her role as the bigger person in the conversation – and not letting Gina get her down – Tracey changed the subject. The real motive for shifting the focus was she wanted to tell Rick that she had found her ideal wedding dress. After dinner, the three went to take a look at the Galia Lahav design. Rick was enamoured but it wasn’t infectious. For even one moment, Gina couldn’t play fairly.

She took her chance – and went right for the jugular. In a taut, unimpressed tone, Gina mentioned that Tracey would have to go on an extensive diet to get into her wedding dress. That was it! Tracey flipped a lid. She left Rick and Gina to themselves. She couldn’t believe the mean streak of that nasty woman.

Nothing Good to Say

We’ve all heard the saying, “If you don’t have anything good to say, don’t say anything at all.” There’s clearly one person who hadn’t ever heard this expression – Gina. The number of complaints, negative remarks, and insults Gina hurled at Tracey during this time, you’d think that Gina was the one getting married. This wasn’t anything new under the sun, but it was switched on to overdrive.

Tracey simply couldn’t take it anymore.

She just had to hold out until her big day. Once that was done, the volume of negative comments would thin out. Except, Tracey wasn’t so sure. What if she and Rick had kids? Was Gina going to torment and criticize Tracey for her parenting style for the rest of her life?

Getting Ready for the Big Day

Tracey had committed herself to simply preparing for the big day and making her and Rick’s wedding day the very best she could. She’d worry about the rest of her life later. There was plenty to plan for the wedding and for now, she could simply put such disturbing visions out of her mind. The big day was around the corner.

Still, of course, she was haunted by visions in the future of Gina getting at her for buying kids the wrong toys, for cradling her baby the wrong way, or for simply breathing, but Tracey had enough on her plate for the time being.

Keeping the Wolf at Bay

If Gina couldn’t make an effort to be nice or play fairly, then no one could say that Tracey couldn’t do the same. The more time she spent with Gina, the better she realized that this woman wanted to do everything possible to put a damper on her wedding day. Tracey decided to draw a line. She stopped including it in her wedding activities.

Of course, she couldn’t leave her out of the rehearsal dinner, but the controlling to-be MIL wouldn’t get her teeth into the other activities. And that’s exactly what Gina did. Even though Gina complained that she felt left out, Tracey knew at heart that this was just another way of trying to get Rick onto her side.

Acting Up

Gina didn’t take too kindly to being left out. Tracey might have believed that she could get away with leaving her to-be MIL out of wedding activities, but Gina wasn’t taking it. The two people who heard all about her so-called sorrows were Tracey and Rick. There just wasn’t any way to reason with Gina. She became inconsolable.

Even though she was the one continuously having a go at Tracey. From the way Gina was acting, you’d think that she was the one who had a wedding to plan and was forced to endure loads of heavy criticism. Gina acted up so much that Tracey wondered if she had truly hurt her leaving her out of the wedding planning, but the bride couldn’t be sure.

Boiling Point

Rick certainly found himself between a rock and a hard place. The rock was his mother, Gina, and the hard place was trying to make sure he was also standing by his wife-to-be. He knew both women to be considerate, kind, and compassionate, and yet somehow, he couldn’t get either of them to be reasonable, especially his mother.

On top of being stressed about his own wedding, he became increasingly concerned with not only the happiness of his bride but his mother. The more he tried to cheer the one up, it only seemed to exacerbate the unhappiness of the other. He didn’t know what to do. They were supposed to be having the time of their lives, but his mother was inconsolable and Tracey wasn’t budging.

Being the Peace-Bearer

Under this constant pressure of trying to make two women happy, it dawned on Rick that he was the man of the house. Naturally, he had always known this. Since his dad wasn’t around, Rick was always the man of the house. And the man of the house had to make hard decisions.

Since he and Tracey were starting a new chapter in their lives – and very soon would be starting their own family – there would need to be peace.

He knew that Gina would have to fall into line. As hard as it was, he told Tracey that he would set new boundaries with Gina. And that if Gina wanted to be a part of their family, she’d have to comply.

The Next Big Piece

Once he had settled matters with Gina, it seemed that he and Tracey could focus on the next chapter of their lives: finding their future home and building their family. Once married, they’d need a home. They decided to tackle this task before their big day, so Tracey and Rick went home shopping.

Even though the couple were under so much stress planning their wedding and finding their first home, they really enjoyed their time looking for a new home.

In fact, it was a delightful time. Tracey was the type of woman who knew what she wanted. While some people may think that’s a bad thing, it really made things very easy. The couple found their new home without much delay.

A New Home

There was a wedding to plan. And though the wedding was around the corner, the final arrangements could be put on the back burner. Tracey and Rick devoted themselves to sorting out the paperwork for their new home, moving in, and making their new home liveable. The young couple might have had a lot on their plates, but it was all smooth sailing.

After some weeks, their new home was somewhat furnished and fully functional.

Moving and setting up a new home is no walk in the park but for Tracey and Rick, it felt like it had been one. This was just another thing that convinced them that they would be the perfect lifelong team. They couldn’t wait to get started with the next chapter of their lives.

The Couple Receive a Visitor

Some part of Tracey wanted to move as far as she could from Gina – maybe, even out of Virginia, but she knew that would have been difficult on Rick. Gina after all depended on Rick and Rick was very close with his mother. Rick and Tracey had moved into and gotten their first home together.

Their future would be different. Gina would probably feature a lot less.

Tracey knew those were just cruel thoughts of hers that wanted to keep Rick far from his mother. However, those cruel thoughts made a quick reappearance when she saw a familiar car pull into her driveway. Gina had come to visit.

Floodgates Open

The house wasn’t quite ready for visitors, but Tracey and Rick were both excited to give Gina a tour of the house. Even though their new home was semi-furnished and the decorative finishings were far from done, they delighted in showing off their lovely home to Gina. Seconds after the tour began, you’d think that Tracey and Rick were living in a grand mansion. The horror on Gina’s face was obvious.

Her eyes widened with disbelief as they showed her around. She became irate and started lecturing the couple, but really Tracey, about their lack of financial responsibility. In Gina’s eyes, Tracey wouldn’t be a good mother as she spent money so recklessly. How on earth could the couple have a family if they were this irresponsible with money?

What’s Next?

Gina was having just one of Gina’s moments. Rick and Tracey couldn’t reason with her. Even when they tried their best to explain, Gina simply couldn’t accept that the couple could afford their new house. She wasn’t done yet. Her next victim was the décor. Not only was it a complete waste of money, but it was tasteless.

Displaying great dramatics, Gina said that the couple had wasted a fortune on their décor but had evidently been ripped off.

Deep down Rick and Tracey knew that she laid all the blame on Tracey and her “expensive taste.” She made an unrelated comment about children starving in Africa while Tracey was splashing out. Gina may not have been done, but Tracey was. She excused herself and went for a walk.

Time Out

Knowing that Gina would continue with her feverish monologue, Tracey felt bad for leaving Rick behind to deal with her. But the moment Tracey left, she knew that Gina’d calm down and Rick would try to console her but also reason with her. Tracey needed some time out.

She took a walk around the neighborhood. While Gina expressed much horror about their new home, a walk around their new area was all the convincing Tracey needed that she and Rick had chosen well.

Their neighborhood was beautiful. They had found a lovely, quiet pocket of the world. In fact, there’d be no more idyllic place to raise a family – unless Gina came to town, Tracey giggled to herself.

What’s Going On

After her stroll around the neighborhood, Tracey was feeling much better and stronger. Gina may have ranted about their new home breaking the bank, but getting out and about in the area was all the evidence Tracey needed that she and Rick had made the right choice. Feeling stronger – and even strong enough to deal with Gina – Tracey made the trip back home in a much calmer mood.

She walked back to her home. As she entered the home, she heard the kitchen tap running – but no Gina. After turning it off, she went to find Gina. Tracey heard some sounds from the master bedroom. As she opened, the door, nothing could have prepared her for the horror inside.

The Worst Wedding Gift Ever

There was no greater nightmare than the one that confronted Tracey when she opened the door. In Tracey’s own bedroom, she was beside herself when she saw Gina trying on her wedding dress. No, not trying on her wedding dress. But seemingly stuck in her wedding dress – her Galia Lahav wedding dress.

Horror mixed with anguish as she soon realized that Gina had been trying on the dress without any underwear.

Apart from the dress, she was wearing not a stitch of clothing. Tracey was unclear whether she had been swallowed whole by fear or disgust. She approached Gina, asking her what in goodness’s name was going on.

Chaos Ensues

Tracey seemingly wasn’t the only one with a loss of words, but Gina too. When Gina realized that she had been caught in the act, she began muttering – nothing that made sense. Tracey took in the state of her wedding dress. “What on earth was Gina thinking believing she could fit into a younger woman’s wedding dress, one perfectly tailored to her own body?”

Panic took over as she saw its seams stretching. Gina was in a state of panic too and started fumbling to remove the dress.

Trying to remain calm and save her dress in the process, Tracey told Gina to stop moving, but anything she said just agitated Gina even more. She started squirming like a worm on a fishhook. Any moment the dress would rip.

Disaster

The commotion soon attracted Rick’s attention. After Tracey called for him, Rick joined Tracey and Gina searching for a clue as to what was going on. The crisis soon became clear – his mother was trying on his bride’s dress. He couldn’t believe his eyes. This was something he never wanted to see in his entire life as his mother was not wearing a stitch of clothing underneath the dress.

The dress had become stuck halfway and Gina was desperately trying to get it off. While Gina was having a hard time of it, he didn’t want to know how Tracey must have felt. She seemed obviously distraught but doing her best to rescue the situation i.e., her dress – only she had Gina on her hands.

Rick to the Risky Rescue

The wedding dress was well and truly stuck. Panic had taken over both Gina and Tracey. Rick was trying to deal with his own disgust as his mother had no underwear on, but he was also trying desperately to help Tracey. He grabbed a towel to cover Gina while he started helping her out of the dress.

It seemed like pulling the dress over her head would have better results, but as he did so, a sound of complete horror reached them – it was the sound of thousands of dollars going down the drain. The dress had ripped. Tracey felt wretched. At that moment she felt like her soul had left her body.

Dollars Down the Drain

The damage to the dress was extensive. Though Tracey was relieved for it simply to be off Gina’s body, the dress had taken a beating. The seams and expensive embroidery had split, the zipper was ripped, and Gina’s dirty footprint was clearly visible on the train.

The dirty footprint surrounded by the pearly white fabric stared back at Tracey – it seemed like Gina’s unapologetic attitude as she let the dress fall to the ground.

If the dress could be fixed – and that was a big if – it looked like that it’d set the couple hundreds, if not, thousands of dollars back. But judging from the torn fabric that really was a big “if.”

Nothing to Say

When the expensive fabric lay at her feet and covered in the towel that Rick had brought for her, Gina had little to say. The one thing Tracey expected from Tracey didn’t come. There were no apologies coming from this woman. That was simply salt in the wound.

Gina’s unapologetic attitude was like the soiled mark on the train staring boldly at Tracey in the face. Tracey was so infuriated with the situation, but more with Gina’s clear lack of care that she found her own voice and stated that Gina would pay for the repairs.

The callous MIL-to-be simply laughed at Tracey’s despair. She said she wouldn’t pay a dime as Tracey was foolish to buy such a ridiculously expensive dress in the first place.

Devastated

With that attitude, Gina left the master bedroom. Tracey cried and collapsed to her knees, completely at a loss about what to do. How could things have gotten to this? The day had started off so badly, but never could she imagine that things would take such a turn.

Rick tried his best to console his future wife, explaining that they’d find a way to fix the dress and that surely the dress could be fixed.

After all, clothing design is so advanced these days, that it really should be no problem. In her state, Tracey pulled herself together, but she insisted that Gina had to pay for the repairs. Rick agreed.

Some Answers

After Tracey got over the shock of this situation, she wanted answers. She wanted to know what Gina was doing trying on her wedding dress in the first place. Even Rick admitted that it was disturbing to see his mother trying to get into his bride’s wedding dress. Though apologies were in order, Tracey didn’t get them.

When she questioned Gina about her motivations, her future MIL used this as an opportunity for another attack on Tracey that involved body-shaming. Her reasoning was that if she tried on the dress and it fitted her, then it probably fit Tracey on the big day. Why didn’t she ask Tracey to try on the dress to see if it fit? Surely, that made actual sense.

Something Sinister

One thing that struck Tracey as odd at the time was that there was a bouquet of rather old flowers on the bed. Gina must have brought the bouquet upstairs into the master bedroom. But why? As sinister and disturbing as it appeared, there was only one thing that made sense – Gina was trying to imagine herself as the bride.

Maybe, on the big day, Gina even wanted to be the bride.

Of course, this wasn’t something Tracey wanted to believe but deep down it was the only thing that made sense. Gina never wanted Rick to leave her side. She believed no other woman would ever be good enough for her son, except, in her eyes, one woman.

Venting

Tracey was completely beside herself. She wanted to unload on somebody and get advice. She went to one place where she knew she’d get help – the internet, specifically Reddit. On the online forum, she posted her story and explained to her readers shortly before the wedding how her wedding dress had been ruined. A seamstress had confirmed that there was simply no way of repairing the dress. This time Tracey didn’t hold back.

She let the internet know exactly what Gina had done: trying on her wedding dress without underwear and damaging it in the process. She also explained that Gina had criticized her wedding plans, wedding location, and engagement ring. While telling her story, she realized how badly things had escalated with Gina from day one.

Reddit Responses

If Tracey was looking for some support, she had found it. The Reddit community almost entirely took her side. What’s more, the story exploded. Tracey had formed her own Reddit army. Those who replied were almost as furious as Tracey was, if not more furious. They unanimously agreed that Gina needed to pay for the dress to be repaired. If it couldn’t be repaired, Gine should pay for a new one.

What’s more, her Reddit army soldiered on saying that Gina had crossed a line and that Tracey had no choice but to give Rick an ultimatum. Either Gina paid for the repairs, or she’d be uninvited from the wedding. To Tracey, that seemed pretty reasonable. She couldn’t believe how supportive and kind total strangers on the internet had been.

Reddit Support

Encouraged by the support of her Reddit “army,” Tracey shared even more details about her relationship with her future MIL – although that future remained very much in doubt at that moment. Tracey explained that since the beginning of her relationship with Gina, she had always been subjected to Gina’s hurtful and spiteful comments.

It wasn’t only Gina’s treatment of her that upset her, Tracey told her Reddit readers, but also how she was overly affectionate towards Rick, like sitting in his lap, tucking tufts of hair behind his ears, and cutting up his food. After hearing this Reddit readers continued to show their support for Tracey. In their comments, some mentioned that Gina clearly wanted to replace Tracey as the “bride” as disturbing as that was.

At a Crossroads

Some of the other comments on the online forum struck a chord with Tracey. Deep down she knew that Gina had been a problem from their first meeting and as time went on, she became progressively worse. Following the announcement of their engagement, her cruelty towards Tracey only increased even though Tracey was destined to be daughter-in-law.

One commenter said, “This would be enough for me to call off the wedding, tbh. I made the mistake of marrying into a family of crazies.” Such statements made Tracey consider whether she wanted to really go through with the wedding. Gina had gotten progressively worse. Such a pattern was undeniable. How would Gina act towards her if she had kids? What would Tracey’s kids have to go through?

A Shocking Revelation

The day after, Rick confirmed that Gina was uninvited from the wedding until she made amends. However, Tracey soon discovered that wasn’t really the case. Rick had already gone back on that promise. Tracey came across messages on his iPad to his mother telling her she’d been reinvited to the wedding. In his messages, he said that he still wanted his mother to be at the wedding and that he’d try to convince Tracey to change her mind.

Of course, Tracey was really angry now, but later she’d forgive her mother-in-law, and everything would be okay on the weekend of the wedding. Rick also added that even if that wasn’t the case, Gina would still be coming to the wedding. Tracey couldn’t believe that Rick had gone back on his word.

Wedding Postponed

The writing was on the wall. It was clear as daylight that the current status quo wouldn’t work. Tracey decided to have a serious talk with Rick to explain that the current situation couldn’t go on. Not only had Gina refused even to spend a dollar in repairing the dress, but she also showed no regret over what she had done and couldn’t bother to apologize.

She displayed no kindness to Tracey and couldn’t even see how truly she had hurt her future daughter-in-law. Rick agreed that his mother had gone too far. But now Tracey was going to draw the line – she told Rick that she was calling off the wedding.

Some News

Months went by until Tracey finally gave her last update to Redditors. Tracey and Rick had still not married, but she was happy to report that they were still together. Although Gina was still a wolf that needed to be kept at bay, Rick had finally found the grit to stay far from his mother. Tracey had given Rick an ultimatum: he does what she says, or he goes on without Tracey.

Even though Gina had managed to come between Rick and his former girlfriends, Tracey was the love of Rick’s life. For now, it seems that the wedding has still been postponed but there have been some positive developments. Gina is still in the picture, but in the corner – not in the center where she’d rather be.

Rick and Tracey might find a way to make their canceled wedding happen once again. The following couple, however, can't say the same.

Everyone wants their happy ending. Fairy tales and Disney movies make lasting romance look so easy. All a person needs to do is slay a dragon, climb a tower using a princess’s lengthy braid, or take on a mighty, insidious sea witch. And then, love is yours for the taking. However, one bride learned that even when your wedding is all planned and the date is set, even then, love might not be enough.

Even slaying dragons might not be enough. In fact, one moment can cause all happiness to evaporate eternally. Grab some tissues – or rather the whole box – as we learn about one bride’s most heart-breaking wedding and uncover why one email destroyed it.

The Orphanage

Though Anna tried to not let it get her down, for most of her young life, she was haunted by the fact she was an orphan. “Haunted” – that’s the right word. No matter how much she tried to forget this, it seemed to follow her everywhere she went. In fact, her very name was a reminder that she was abandoned by her biological parents.

Her biological parents didn’t name her, nor did even her adoptive parents. At the orphanage where she remained until she was three, it was the orphanage proprietor who named her. Of course, she couldn’t just not have a name, but every time she heard “Anna”, it was simply a reminder that she was an orphan – that she didn’t belong.

Her Biological Parents

Anna had very little to go by. Among the few possessions she had acquired during her time in the orphanage, all she had was a handful of photos. There was no name, no last name, no telephone number, and no address. How was she ever supposed to find her parents simply from the photos they left her?

The orphanage could offer no help as Anna had been abandoned on its doorstep. The photos were among the belongings – which was an odd sort of thing to include. So, what the proprietor knew of Anna’s biological parents was even less than what she had learned from the photos.

Adoption

The day came when Anna was given a new home. Of course, she was too young to remember much of her stay at the orphanage and before her adoptive parents had taken her in. She was adopted when she was three years old by a wonderful family. They were honest with her from a young age that she was not their biological daughter.

Though they had meant well, Anna always felt a bit bittersweet about knowing this. Sometimes, she wished it weren’t true because then she would be their little girl, but it was true, and she had to accept this fact. Her adoptive parents probably knew deep down she would want to find her birth parents later because they helped her as much as they could.

Obsession

In all honesty, Anna could not count all the time she spent looking for her biological parents. What started as a fun investigation turned into an obsession. She remembers from a young age; she’d try to see what the photos could tell her and pretend she was some great sleuth. As she got older, she read dozens of articles about adopted children being reunited with their biological parents.

Since so many children had found their real parents, she was just waiting for her turn. Her obsession made her try to find a pattern. All the children typically were reunited with their parents in their early 20s, so any day she should rightfully meet hers. Any day now.

The Day That Wouldn’t Come

No matter how much she held out for a day when she’d get a call and hear from one of the investigation agencies saying they’d had found something, it didn’t come. Days turned into years. She dreamt about the embrace she’d finally have with her parents. But that day never came. Of course, the investigators hadn’t much to go on.

All they had were old pictures, which were getting fainter with each passing year. Eventually, Anna had to accept what deep down in her heart she knew to be true, she’d probably never find them. She’d be one of those stories where the adopted children were never reunited with their parents.

Letting Go

As she was nearing 30, it soon became clear that she was wasting her life. Her friends, colleagues, and acquaintances were all making progress in their lives. They were getting married, buying their first homes, and having children, while she was pouring her money into investigations that kept leading to dead ends.

She told herself by the time she’d turned 30, she would have to stop looking for her biological parents and start building her own life: making friends, finding hobbies and interests, and maybe even having a family of her own. Of course, that’s much easier said than done. But then, she met Jake Thompson.

A Breath of Fresh Air

Anna wasn’t sure what to make of Jake Thompson when she first met him. She felt quite a deep pull towards him. There was something inside of her that encouraged her to speak to him. It was different from her weird harassment of strangers hoping that they were her parents. Here she wanted to know about Jake – who was this Jake Thompson? Why did he intrigue her so much?

She forgot about her fragmented past and was simply curious as to who he was. She wanted to find out what kind of food he preferred and what things brightened his eyes and set his heart beating. Meeting Jake was like a breath of fresh air.

Jake Thompson

It was like the world was signaling to her that it was the right decision to move on with her life and give up her search for her parents. Just some months after she stopped, she met Jake. Whenever she spoke to other people, it seemed so forced. However, with Jake, everything came so easily.

Even though he came from a family of ranchers and had his own background, somehow, they could always understand each other. And the best part was that Jake expressed he felt the same. Everything with Anna just seemed easy – like it was a breeze.

Even Romance

Some of her female friends and colleagues always complained that finding love and a good partner was difficult. But romance and love between Jake and Anna came so easily. They just liked each other and that was that. No games, no second-guessing, no torture, no broken hearts! Anna didn’t even get into that whole overthinking thing that troubled her friends when they were dating.

For some reason, she didn’t need to trouble herself about Jake – she knew, just knew, they worked. Time would simply vanish when they were together. She’d blink and their afternoon date at the park would be over. But she never worried when she’d see him again, for that night he’d call her.

Opening Up

For the first time in her life, she confided in another person about her unbearable loneliness and emptiness that nagged her whole life. Interestingly, though she was talking about how alone she’d felt her whole life and how she struggled to make friends, her loneliness seemed to dissipate. Telling Jake about her struggles to feel accepted, somehow, made her feel accepted.

And all he did was listen. For the first time, she felt like she really had a friend and knew what true friendship was. It took 30 years for her to actually confide in someone about her problems. Perhaps, she needed to do this all along – tell someone how lonely she was.

A Rare Feeling

With Jake, she felt something that she’d never felt before – like she belonged. Even if they’d spend the day together, he’d text that night to make sure she was okay. She’d never have to wait long before he would ask her out again. No matter what it was, whether it was just a small social gathering with friends or a spontaneous get-together, he’d always invite her.

His parents lived on a ranch in another state. Even on family calls, she’d always say a brief “hi” to both. The invitation was always extended to her. Perhaps, Jake knew how lonely she really was and wanted to include her. However, Anna knew it was something deeper than that – they both felt like they belonged. They just hadn’t made it official – not yet, anyway.

Confidence

It was all rather subtle. At first, Anna didn’t notice that she was changing. The more Jake included her, the more she felt accepted. Suddenly, she didn’t struggle to force conversations as she used to. She didn’t worry if others didn’t like her, because she just felt different. Even if she was going through problems or feeling deflated, she could always turn to Jake.

One day it dawned on her. Jake was the universe’s way of making it up to her. She may have never had her own family, but Jake was always there – even when she was not having a good day. Though she had never been accepted, now finally, she was being accepted – in a different way. She didn’t have a family, but she had an amazing boyfriend.

A New Person

Anna could never thank Jake enough. For all her life, she had been a lone wolf, but somehow, with her newfound confidence, thanks to Jake’s continuous support and love, she started making friends. She started building her own friendship circle. Now, she was even joining weekly activities like dancing and neighborhood events.

She was also just striking up conversations with strangers. Even she couldn’t believe it. Of course, she thanked Jake for his support, but her modest man never took any credit. He kept saying it was all her. But she knew in her heart that she had been given a new life with Jake.

And Then It Became Real

After two years, the feeling of security and belonging she had with Jake became much more real. They had been an item for two years and still, she couldn’t believe that she had found this amazing guy and that he loved her. And then he did something that confirmed everything that she had always known.

He got down on one knee and proposed to her. All she wanted to do was say “yes” but she let him finish the proposal first. And then, she said it. “Yes – yes, always”. She had no doubt that this was the man she wanted to grow old with and start a family with.

Wedding Preparations

There was no time to waste. Since they’d both have time off this coming fall, why not set the date for their wedding then? They’d already spent the last two years getting to know each other, there was no need to delay the actual day of their marriage. Plus, getting married in the fall meant they’d have the most beautiful wedding photos, especially, since they’d be getting married on Jake’s parents’ ranch.

No wedding venue would look better. She could just imagine the brown, yellow, and red hues of the leaves in their wedding photos. She and Jake both agreed that fall was the right time to exchange their vows – even if it was right around the corner.

Better Roll Up Their Sleeves

They weren’t kidding when they said that fall was right around the corner. The date of their wedding would be in two months. Though Anna and Jake were both excited to get married, there just seemed so much to organize. And since they lived quite a distance from Jake’s parents' ranch, they had to try to find decorators and caterers in that area.

And of course, it was a bit heavy on their pockets. A wedding cake would cost up to eight times the amount of a regular cake – even if it was the same cake. But they rolled up their sleeves, bit a couple of bullets, and slowly got into planning their dream wedding.

Not Simply a Walk in the Park

Anna would have done everything to give Jake the dream wedding. Jake was a big romantic and Anna hoped that she could give him a wedding filled with amazing memories. But that was much easier said than done. While Anna was supposed to be his blushing bride, she was anything but. With two months to plan a wedding, she had bitten off more than she could chew.

When her plate seemed like it couldn’t get any fuller, even more problems appeared out of the woodwork. In a few weeks, she’d have to meet Jake’s parents in person. The last thing she wanted to do was make a bad impression, but in her state, the stress was too much. Besides, she’d never been all that good at meeting new people.

Meet the Parents

And before she knew it, the time had come – Anna had to meet the parents. Though Jake and she were also going to the family ranch for their wedding, Anna, for a moment, forgot all about her stress arranging the wedding. Now, she was confronted by the fact that she had to meet Jake’s mother and father.

Of course, Jake consoled her and promised her that they’d be sure to love their new daughter-in-law. However, Anna couldn’t shake the feeling that somehow meeting the parents would be her downfall. She had no idea why. Maybe, she was just overthinking everything. Maybe, a few days at the ranch would help her to clear her mind. Honestly, what was the worst that could happen?

Flight to the Ranch

On the day of their flight, no matter what Anna said to herself, she just couldn’t calm down. She told herself she was going crazy but every second she was flooded by thoughts that Jake’s mother would take one look at her and know that Jake was making a big mistake marrying her. Even Jake noticed that she was definitely more on edge.

Anna told herself it would be fine, but she was still worried that somehow she’d just mess the whole thing up. With shaky legs, she boarded the plane ready to meet Jake’s parents. Of course, Anna was dreading meeting the parents which made it only arrive much more quickly. What should have been a long flight was over in an instant. And now the dreaded moment had arrived.

The Big House

Standing on even shakier legs, Anna, accompanied by her fiancé Jake, walked up to the big house. The trip from the airport to the house in the rented vehicle had just passed by in a blur. Only when they arrived outside the family’s big ranch house did time seem to stand still. Anna was conscious of every moment.

Even as she and Jake walked up to the front door where she could make out her future in-laws’ silhouettes – or potentially, her ex-future in-laws – she could hear the crunch of the gravel and sand underfoot. It sounded too loud. She shouldn’t even be here. She already was making noise and she hadn’t even opened her mouth. Jake didn’t seem to notice. He couldn’t wait to show off his bride.

Something Strange

And then it happened. Jake with a beaming smile introduced her to a middle-aged couple. Swallowing the knot in her throat, Anna greeted her future in-laws. Though she was nervous, she felt a strange déjà vu. Somehow, she recognized Jake’s father from somewhere. For a moment she forgot about her nerves and wondered if she had really met Jake’s father before.

Now was not the time to worry about that. Now, it was the time to make a good impression. So, she decided to be in the moment. Noticing Jake’s father’s wedding ring, she genuinely complimented her future father-in-law on the elegant and modern design of his wedding ring. But somehow, her compliment had just robbed the moment of all good feelings.

Something’s Up

Apparently, it was the first time Jake’s mother had taken her own good look at her husband’s wedding ring. “Where did you get that? That was not the wedding ring I gave you on our wedding day. Where did you get that?” And just like a high wind had picked up, all good feeling was instantly blown away.

Jake’s father was at a loss. Earlier, Anna thought she had been a bag of nerves, but now, she wasn’t the only one. The fact that his father could offer his wife no explanation just set his wife off more. Even Jake was perplexed about how this first meeting could have taken such a wrong turn.

Something Else

After the issue with her husband’s wedding ring came up, Jake’s mother hardly noticed Anna. Of course, this hadn’t been her intention, but the lady was truly upset about the “new” wedding ring. Though Anna couldn’t have possibly known it was a different wedding ring, she felt bad for already creating tension between her future in-laws.

Then Anna became preoccupied with something else – Jake’s father. His face seemed so familiar. Where had she seen him before? Perhaps, he was a client of a project she worked on. Perhaps, he had come to visit Jake in town before the two of them became an item. Anna was certain she’d seen him before.

Time With Jake

When Jake and Anna had some alone time, she had a moment to ask about his father. Anna explained to him that she knew Jake’s father from somewhere. But Jake explained that was impossible. His father hadn’t ever left the ranch – at least, not in the last ten years. No, he didn’t leave to visit him in the city ever.

There was a lot to be done at the ranch and his father just couldn’t afford to get away. That’s why the family had regular family calls. Somehow – and Anna didn’t know why – she felt relieved hearing this from Jake. Why on earth would it matter if she had seen his father or not?

Getting to Know the Thompsons

Clearly, the rift between Jake’s mother and father over the wedding ring wasn’t going to go away any time soon. On the one hand, it was a good thing because it took a lot of pressure off of Anna – Jake’s mother's attention always just seemed elsewhere even when she was trying to get to know her daughter-in-law. On the other hand, it made Anna feel terrible.

Though she had simply been asking an innocent question about the wedding ring, she felt responsible for causing the rift between her future in-laws – and so soon before her and Jake’s wedding. And though Jake had assured her that her father never left the ranch or nearby town, somehow, she still was haunted by the feeling that she knew that man from somewhere.

Old Photos

As the date of the wedding drew near, Anna felt a mixture of emotions. She was so excited and nervous about the wedding day that she couldn’t wait. The time was going so quickly but it was also dragging. It was a strange sensation. At the same time, her heart sank, and never had she felt so lonely knowing that her real father and mother would not be there.

Of course, her adoptive parents were coming but they just felt like elderly friends who were seeing her off. She did something she hadn’t done in a long time – she took out her old photos, her only connection to her birth parents. Though the photos had aged, she focused on one man’s face. It looked quite a bit like Jake’s father.

It Couldn’t Be

Of course, she knew she was going crazy. There was no way that the man in these old photos was Jake’s father. There was some likeness between the two men, but after all, a lot of years would have passed, and the man in the photo would have to look very different now. Besides, she could hardly make out the man’s face.

The photos had aged so much that the details were very blurred. There was no doubt she was going crazy. She was just doing what she had spent her youth doing – scanning everyone’s face, looking for the face of her parents. Even now she was still doing this – looking for her real parents.

Stop Looking for Trouble

Anna let out a little laugh. For years she had stopped the behavior of looking for her parents, but now, here she was doing it again – and days before her wedding. Anna knew that she had to pull herself together. This behavior was not good. Back then she was always trying to find her real parents, but now, if she continued in this way, she could destroy any possibility of having her own family with Jake.

She was about to marry Jake Thompson and become their daughter-in-law, yet somehow, she was looking at old photos thinking that she was the daughter of her husband’s father. It was simply insanity. So, Anna collected herself – and decided to focus on more important things, like making sure the wedding went ahead as planned.

Stressed & Swamped

As the wedding day drew closer, Anna felt the familiar feeling of being overwhelmed. In fact, this time it was a good thing because she could spend less time worrying about her biological parents and the man in the photo. Anna spent her time organizing the decorations, flowers, and cake. She had to make sure her own wedding dress and veil were ready.

Then, she also needed to find someone in the nearby town who could do her hair and makeup on the big day. There weren’t plenty of options but Anna wanted to make sure she looked her best – after all, Jake deserved the most beautiful bride.

The Arrival of Relatives and Friends

Anna began feeling better the more she focused on the wedding preparations. But not everyone was in good spirits. There was still a lot of tension between Jake’s mother and father. He started spending more time away from the family house, which concerned Jake and Anna. However, his mother told them not to worry as everything would be fine.

Over the course of the next few days, wedding guests started arriving. Everyone was in a cheery mood. One or two of Jake’s family friends gave Anna an odd look, but for the most part, the atmosphere was wonderful. Anna had never felt this elated – or nervous.

A Drunken Comment

On the night of the engagement party, everyone was in good spirits – except Jake’s mother. It was clear Jake’s mother was trying to keep a smile on her face, but it would vanish every time her husband drew near, especially when he took his place beside her at the dining room table. The guests had all had a little bit too much to drink.

Then, one of Jake’s father’s friends made a joke about how Anna looked oddly a little bit like one of his friend’s old flames. While the friend had a good laugh about it, clearly none of the Thompsons were amused. The least amused was Jake’s mother who immediately went off at her husband and his friend.

Past Affairs

“We just can’t escape your past affairs can we Robert?” And with that, Jake’s mother left the table. Silence ensued, but it was not a comfortable silence. It seemed like the night had taken a weird turn. Though there had been tension earlier, everyone had been in good spirits earlier. After Robert’s friend’s comment, it seemed better to turn in.

Still, as they were preparing to call it a night, Anna couldn’t help but feel Jake’s relatives looking at her a bit too closely. But the true blow came when Jake looked at her. Even he seemed to recognize one of his father’s ex-girlfriends in Anna. How could that be?

A Gnawing Question

Could it be? Could it be that she and Jake, her husband-to-be were related? There was no way that could be true – just no way. Yet, still, there was something inside Anna told her that it could very well be. Something had been awakened inside of her – and it had taken hold of her. It kept saying it could be despite none of it making any sense.

Why would it be Jake’s father? Then, when she remembered the photos, the man’s face, and Jake’s father’s initial familiarity, it felt like someone had knocked the wind out of her. She was on the verge of marrying Jake, but now she kept thinking she could be related to him.

The Doubt Had Set In

Even though Anna knew that it made no sense, she just knew that she and Jake had to know for sure. Once the engagement party was over, she immediately went up to Jake to ask if they could have their DNA taken – just to be sure. To say Jake was surprised by Anna’s request was putting it mildly. But he agreed to it.

The next day, they traveled some distance to the nearest DNA lab. Once finished, they were told it would take a few days for the DNA results to arrive – they should get the results before the day of their wedding.

Looming Wedding

And just like that, the day of the wedding arrived – but not the DNA results. Jake had seemingly forgotten all about them, but not Anna. She was almost going crazy with worry. The more she stressed about receiving them on time, the more delayed they seemed to be – and the more the date of their wedding drew nearer.

Then, she woke up on the fateful morning that was the day of her wedding. She knew she had to eat, but she couldn’t swallow a morsel. Why were they taking so long? As she was starting to head to her room to start getting dressed and have her makeup done, a beep came through. It couldn’t be the results now, could it?

The DNA Results

And just like that – the results arrived. She got dressed and had her makeup done according to schedule. Before she was due to walk up the aisle, she took a moment to read the email. And then her world had seemingly shattered. It was impossible! How could it be? There must be something wrong. But no!

The DNA results just confirmed something Anna had sensed all along – something she thought the moment she saw Jake’s father’s face; the face of the man in those old photos and the only connection she ever had to her biological parents. What on earth was she to do now? They had spent a near fortune on the wedding and everyone was waiting for her to walk down the aisle.

She Couldn’t Do It

She made the walk up the aisle, but only to tell Jake she couldn’t do it. Everyone was stunned in the church. She met countless shocked eyes, but there was only one pair of eyes that she couldn’t bear to face – Jake’s. All she managed to whisper to the man dressed in his neat suit was she couldn’t do it. Jake was simply confused.

He knew Anna wasn’t the type to make a scene. She wasn’t the type to commit to something only to back out halfway. She just wasn’t a fickle sort of person. Perhaps, he hadn’t even heard her because she had whispered so softly. Then, she came out the way she came in and walked a distance to be alone.

Alone Again

Anna stood on the verge of having her own family and happiness, but only if she walked down the aisle and married Jake. But that would forever be a lie. And this time she wouldn’t only be robbing herself of true happiness, but Jake too. If she kept the lie to herself, it would destroy her and eventually Jake too.

She had no idea what to do. She was a mountain of gushing tears. Then, Jake appeared – as she knew he would. No matter what he said, she couldn’t bring herself to tell him. She didn’t say a word. She faced the view from the family ranch seemingly on the precipice of disaster.

A Prayer for Strength

Unfortunately, Anna couldn’t do what she had to do. She just didn’t have the strength to tell her groom, decked out in his suit, that she was his father’s daughter. Jake had once confided in her that his father had had a number of affairs back in the day, but she never expected that that of all things would come back to bite her on their wedding day.

She knew what she had to do. She told Jake she wanted to speak with the priest officiating their wedding. She and the priest prayed. Anna, without going into much detail, requested that he avoid saying certain things and not make the typical nuptial prayers. He agreed. And with much determination, Anna did what she had to.

Until Death Do Us Part

Anna’s walk down the aisle was not steady. Nor was her voice, when she said the words ‘I do’, but she said them. She and Jake were married. What was supposed to be the best day of her life had become the worst. The man she was standing next to was not her husband, but her brother. But as planned, she and Jake celebrated the reception.

It was a joyous occasion but Anna kept telling herself that joy was a lie. All the happiness would turn to ash once Jake found out who she really was. She couldn’t believe that Jake’s father’s womanizing ways would have such a long shadow. How could one bad egg destroy the happiness of two people?

Love Gone Cold

While Anna was gathering her courage to tell Jake the truth, it broke her heart that she could not do it and yet she had to. Jake grew concerned that his once-best friend and his favorite person in the world now could not bear to be near him. What had he done?

And every time he tried to reach out to her, she could not explain what was going on. They were meant to be starting out their new lives – their new happy lives together, but now Anna was cold and distant. Every time he tried to ask what was going on, the only thing Anna had the strength to do was shut down.

The Bride Opens Up

Eventually, Anna couldn’t bear the burden of the secret she was keeping. The truth had become too heavy. One night after Jake had long given up approaching her, she came to him. She told him what the DNA results had told her on the day of their marriage. That night was the first time Anna really saw Jake angry. He was angry that she hadn’t told him.

He accused her of being selfish and going ahead with the wedding when she knew they were brother and sister. Anna explained why she had done so. She explained that they had spent so much money. That there would be questions – questions she wouldn’t have been able to answer. For the first time, she was truly alone again. Jake had left.

Fraught Forgiveness

He came back but she knew that it would only be for a short time. His heart had clearly hardened towards her. He was still so angry that she hadn’t told him the truth. He couldn’t understand how she could have possibly kept this to herself. Anna pleaded with him to forgive her.

She told him she didn’t know what to do at the time. She honestly thought she was making the best decision. She continued pleading for forgiveness and explained that she had thought of a possible solution to the whole thing. For a moment, Jake had softened to her and he heard her out.

A Deal Was Made

While Jake was gone, it gave Anna time to think things over. What she had decided on would destroy her, would shatter her heart, and do something she’d never heal from, but the two of them would have to do it. She explained to Jake that they would have to live apart. After a few months, they could have their marriage annulled or divorced.

If anyone asked questions, they’d keep the DNA results to themselves, but explain that things hadn’t worked out. Jake agreed and, as Anna expected, it broke her heart. She had just agreed to separate from the only man she ever loved, the only person she felt like she belonged with.

Time Passed

And that’s what Anna and Jake did. They had resolved to settle things quietly and without drawing much attention. And they did just that. They moved on, but there was still a lot of pain whenever they found themselves thinking of each other. However, over time, the pain wasn’t as harsh as it was.

It was still there like a two-day-old bruise, but it wasn’t a fresh stabbing pain. They moved on with their lives. They found love again in their own ways and slowly rebuilt their lives. They made friends, had a family, and found that with each passing year, the pain of the past was not as severe as it had once been.

A Call from Anna

Decades later, the last person Jake expected to hear from was Anna. She had asked him to meet her. Jake knew she wouldn’t call out of the blue if it weren’t serious so he agreed to meet her. Anna explained that she was suffering from kidney disease.

Jake knew what she was asking of him. It was a big ask. But that’s not the only reason Anna called. Her condition was terminal. She hoped she could for once apologize to Jake and that she could see him again before she passed on – that he would find it in his heart to forgive her.

Forgiveness

Jake was devastated to learn about Anna’s terminal condition. All the anger he once had toward her seemed incomparable with the pain he would feel if he lost her. He decided to give her the one thing she needed. They may have come so close to being family, but they had been family all along. And what Anna needed now more than anything was family.

He agreed to donate one of his kidneys. And though their ill-fated marriage haunted both of them, they had found a way to make peace with it. The skeletons that seemed to bang forever in their closets were finally buried and the two of them could let go of their painful pasts.

To protect the identity of the people involved, the names of the characters have been changed.