Because that’s exactly what Ryan’s mother did. When Ryan and I first crossed paths two years ago, it was kind of by accident. Because one of my friends, Mila, was directing her first local musical, I was at the community theater And there I was, post-show, standing outside with a bunch of flowers for Mila. Ryan left, walking straight into me and smashing the flowers due of the throng. Grabbing the bouquet, he exclaimed, “I am so sorry.” I declared, “I detest crowds.” He chuckled and gestured for us to move away from the door. “I’m not a fan either,” he said. “I’m Ryan.” “Hanna,” I said, introducing myself.Ryan proposed to me in a pub three months into our relationship over crispy potato skins and Guinness.
We ought to have sealed that pledge with our wedding vows last week. However, our wedding took a very different turn than it should have. At first, my family embraced Ryan wholeheartedly. My parents were overjoyed that I had found someone who truly made me happy, especially since I was their only daughter. One evening when we brought Ryan over for family supper, my mother commented, “This is a different side to you, Hanna.” With a smile, my father said, “He makes her happy.” “A father could only want that.”Ryan felt welcome—he felt the warmth that they showered him, and through that, we grew stronger as a couple, too. It was much the same on his end. The Coles welcomed me into their house and hearts, and their only goal was to host us as much as they could. Audrey, Mrs. Cole, had also developed a manicure and coffee date routine with me. Everything felt right—until the very moment it wasn’t.
Leading up to our wedding, I was the calmest I could have been. It was a small church wedding, and Ryan and I had planned the intimate affair right down to the little details. We knew exactly what we wanted and how to make it special for our day.But on what was meant to be the happiest day of my life, just before the ceremony, my soon-to-be mother-in-law pulled me aside.“My dear,” she uttered. “May we just talk for a minute?”I gave her a nod and instructed her to hold off until my makeup and hair artists finished. Her mannerisms caused me to feel uneasy and apprehensive. I observed her movements while I looked at my image in the mirror. Her gaze darted quickly across the room, frequently resting on my wedding garment that hung on its hook. I turned to Audrey when I was ready and my mom was buttoning my dress.“I’m ready when you are,” I said, smiling at her.Her eyes glazed over, seeing me in the dress. She had been at my fittings before, but this was the moment that Audrey and my mother would see the full effect of my bridal outfit. “Hanna,” Audrey said.
“There’s no easy way for me to say this.” My chest was thumping with my heart. I knew our talk would not result in anything positive while I sat observing her while my hair was done. I told him to just say it. “Explain to me.” Audrey reached into her handbag and produced her phone to show me. “This phone has movies that walk you through everything. Hanna, I really apologize, but Ryan has to be exposed. My thoughts were racing. When her phone was unlocked, I had no idea what I was going to witness.A woman’s voice resounded throughout the room as she handed me her phone and said, “This here.” The recordings on Audrey’s phone showed Ryan secretly in love with another woman—a clear betrayal.“Are you sure?” I asked. “This is him?”Audrey closed her eyes, inhaled deeply. She answered, “Well, have a look at the jacket on the bed.” “Is that the one you acquired him for?” I glanced at the jacket after pressing play once more. The hotel room likewise had a familiar appearance;

I was positive we had visited there previously. I remarked, “But Ryan’s face isn’t in the frame.”I was having trouble. My almost mother-in-law was there in front of me with a tape that revealed her son’s adultery, and I couldn’t believe it. “Hanna,” she uttered gradually. It is directly before you. You can choose to ignore it, but if you do, consider the man you would be getting married to. Knowing that, could you live with yourself? Could you coexist with him? I gave a headshake.