As Diane runs around doing last-minute errands for her daughter Marissa’s wedding, she comes across her soon-to-be son-in-law—with another woman! Begrudgingly, she tells Marissa and then comes up with a plan to teach Stefan a lesson…
As I bustled through the busy streets, juggling errands for my daughter Marissa’s wedding, I couldn’t help but feel a nagging sense of unease.
An older woman holding shopping bags | Source: Midjourney
Call it mother’s intuition or something like that, but there was just something about Stefan, my daughter’s fiancé, that had never quite sat right with me.
He always seemed a bit too smooth, a bit too charming, like someone who was used to getting what he wanted without much effort.
Marissa, on the other hand, had worked through issues with her self-esteem and self-confidence, spending hours at the gym and the hair salon. She worked hard on herself, to get what she felt she deserved.
A young woman at the gym | Source: Midjourney
“I’m telling you, Brian,” I told my husband one day. “Our daughter is too good for this man.”
“I agree, she’s our little girl. But at the same time, there’s nothing we can do.”
He was right, of course. Marissa adored Stefan, and I had tried to keep my reservations to myself, not wanting to spoil her happiness.
A couple sitting and staring at each other | Source: Midjourney
But then, I saw Stefan’s true colors in the most unexpected way.
It was the day before the wedding, and I was exhausted from a whirlwind of preparations. I had insisted that my daughter spend the day at a spa, getting a full-on pamper session, while I got my nails done, picked up both our dresses, and finalized the decorations.
A woman at a spa | Source: Midjourney
“It’s all set, Diane,” Tracy, the wedding planner, told me at her office. “I just need you to choose between the two backup flower options. But don’t worry, we’re back on track. Go ahead and rest. The mother of the bride needs to be just as refreshed as the bride.”
“I’m definitely going to do that,” I reassured her. “I’m just going to grab a coffee and then head straight home for a bubble bath and a head massage from my husband.”
A smiling woman sitting at her desk | Source: Midjourney
“Get some carbs, too,” Tracy laughed as I walked out.
So, I did just that. I decided to take a break and grab a coffee at a cute little café across the road from Tracy’s office. As I entered, I was greeted by the comforting aroma of fresh pastries and coffee.
Coffee and croissants on a table | Source: Midjourney
“Just what I needed,” I muttered to myself.
But then, my heart nearly stopped.
There, in a corner of the café was Stefan. And he wasn’t alone. A young woman was there with him, laughing and touching his arm, their heads close together.
A couple sitting in a café together | Source: Midjourney
Then, right in front of the bustling café, they kissed. It was a tender, intimate kiss, the kind that spoke of familiarity and affection.
To the rest of the world, they looked like a cute little couple. But to me? This was the ultimate betrayal to my daughter.
I stood there, stunned, unable to process what I was seeing. My hands shook as I pulled out my phone and snapped a photo.
A woman holding her phone | Source: Midjourney
Thankfully, the photo was safely in my gallery when Stefan looked up. Our eyes met for a brief, horrifying moment. He quickly pulled away from the woman, but it was too late.
The damage was done. My eyes had seen the truth.
A close-up of a man’s eyes | Source: Midjourney
“Diane?” Stefan called.
I just shook my head and hurried out of the café, my mind and heart racing.
How could he do this to Marissa? The woman who loved him to her core and who would move heaven and earth for him! And on the eve of their wedding, no less?
An upset woman touching her face | Source: Midjourney
I knew I had to tell her, but how could I break her heart like this?
As I drove home, my anger simmered. Stefan needed to learn a lesson.
I dialed Brian’s number.
A woman driving | Source: Midjourney
“Hi, honey,” Brian answered. “I’ll be home soon, I promise. I just need to pick up some Thai food for Marissa. She said she wanted to have our favorite family meal tonight.”
“We need to talk,” I said, cutting him off.
I quickly told Brian everything as I drove closer to our house.
A man looking at his phone | Source: Midjourney
When I got home, I found Marissa in her room, surrounded by her wedding jewelry. Her face lit up when she saw me, but the look on my face must have given away that something was wrong.
“Mom, what happened?” she asked, concern taking over her beautiful features. “Is everything okay?”
I sat down next to her, taking a deep breath.
A young woman sitting on a bed | Source: Midjourney
“Marissa, I need to show you something,” I said, pulling out my phone. I showed her the photo of Stefan with the other woman.
Marissa stared at the screen, her face paling.
“No, this can’t be real,” she whispered, tears welling up in her eyes.
An upset young woman | Source: Midjourney
I put my arm around her, holding her as she sobbed.
“I’m so sorry, sweetheart,” I said. “I wish it wasn’t true.”
Through her tears, Marissa looked at me, anger and betrayal flashing in her eyes.
A mother comforting her daughter | Source: Midjourney
“Mom, I can’t marry him. I just can’t. I won’t. I have to call off the wedding.”
I nodded. I couldn’t blame her at all. She was devastated. The man she adored had been cheating on her.
But then an idea struck me. There was a way to make Stefan face the consequences of his actions in a way he wouldn’t forget.
A determined older woman | Source: Midjourney
“Darling, what if we turn the tables on him? Make sure he knows exactly what he’s losing?” I asked.
She looked at me, confusion mingling with her tears.
“What do you mean, Mom?” she asked.
An upset woman | Source: Midjourney
I explained my plan, and slowly, a determined look replaced the hurt on her face. She agreed, and we set it in motion.
We spent the rest of the evening in near silence, eating the Thai food that Brian had brought home.
A close-up of a plate of food | Source: Midjourney
The next morning, Marissa and her best friend Leah headed to the resort where she and Stefan were supposed to spend their honeymoon.
The reservation was in Marissa’s name because Brian and I had gifted the couple their honeymoon, so there was no issue with her using it.
A beautiful resort | Source: Midjourney
As for Brian and me, we went to the wedding venue, where guests were already gathering, helping themselves to drinks and canapés. They were blissfully unaware of the drama unfolding behind the scenes.
Stefan spotted me as soon as I arrived. He rushed over, looking anxious.
“Where’s Marissa?” he asked me, trying to keep his voice calm.
Guests mingling at a wedding | Source: Midjourney
I smiled, keeping my tone light. It was almost as if I hadn’t caught him cheating on my daughter just the day before.
“Oh, she’ll be done soon; she had a mishap with her hair stylist.”
He frowned but nodded, trying to mask his discomfort.
A close-up of a groom | Source: Midjourney
As the minutes ticked by and the wedding band began to play, the tension grew. Finally, with all the guests present, I took the stage.
Holding the microphone, I called for everyone’s attention.
“Ladies and gentlemen, thank you for being here today. We have a slight change in plans,” I began.
An older woman standing with a microphone | Source: Midjourney
There were a few gasps in the crowd, but I continued.
“My daughter isn’t here right now. She’s on her way to the resort where she and Stefan were supposed to spend their honeymoon.”
A murmur of confusion spread through the crowd. Stefan shifted uncomfortably.
Shocked guests at a wedding | Source: Midjourney
“But Marissa did want me to show you something very important.”
With that, I clicked a remote, and the photo of Stefan kissing the other woman appeared on the screen behind me. That, in itself, tugged at my heart because Marissa had wanted photos of her and Stefan to be playing in the background during the ceremony.
Now, the screen was used to show his infidelity.
A couple kissing | Source: Midjourney
Gasps filled the room. Stefan’s parents stood up, their faces a mixture of shock and fury. The murmurs turned into an uproar as people processed what they were seeing.
“Marissa isn’t late,” I said to Stefan simply. “She deserves so much better than this, and now, everyone knows the truth.”
Stefan’s parents approached me, anger across their faces.
An upset older couple | Source: Midjourney
“How could you do this?” his mother hissed. “We paid for this wedding!”
I met her gaze, unflinching.
“Your son did this. Not me. He betrayed Marissa, and she has every right to walk away.”
An embarrassed older couple | Source: Midjourney
Everything was chaotic after that. Guests were whispering, and some were even leaving. Stefan looked defeated, slumped in a chair, while his parents tried to salvage what they could of the situation.
I called Marissa to check in as Brian spoke to some of our family and friends.
“Mom, I made the right decision,” she said boldly. “I’ve been thinking, and I know it now.”
A smiling young woman | Source: Midjourney
“You did, sweetheart,” I replied. “And now, you can move on without looking back.”
After that, Brian and I helped ourselves to the wedding buffet before heading home.
A wedding buffet | Source: Midjourney
What would you have done?
If you enjoyed this story, here’s another one for you.
My Best Friend Gave Me the Wrong Dress Code for Her Wedding — I Decided to Outplay Her Smartly
When Emily’s friend, Elle, gets engaged to her boyfriend, Brian, the supportive bestie is over the moon. Emily does everything she can to help Elle plan her dream wedding. But then Elle starts acting secretive and gives Emily a wedding invite with the incorrect dress code. Thankfully, a mutual colleague gives Emily the correct details, allowing her to show up to the wedding to teach Elle a lesson.
“I’m engaged, Em!” Elle said, rushing through my door while I was sitting on the couch and reading a book.
A woman reading on a couch | Source: Unsplash
“What?” I exclaimed, standing up to hug her tightly. “I’m so happy for you, my girl!”
Elle sat on the couch and showed me her hand.
“Look at this rock!” she said.
A close-up of an engagement ring | Source: Unsplash
Of course, I was over the moon for her. We’d been through so much together, and now it was her turn to walk down the aisle.
For my wedding, a few years ago, Elle had been right by my side. She helped me plan every little detail, from the font on my wedding invitations to the menu selections.
“It’s more like you and Elle are getting married,” my husband, Grant, laughed one evening when I told him everything that Elle and I had planned.
A laughing man | Source: Unsplash
“Well, she’s been around longer than you,” I replied, showing him the mock-up for our wedding invitations.
And it was true, Elle and I had been friends since our childhood, having lived on the same street and gone to the same kindergarten together.
We shared every major milestone, from awkward teenage years to college graduation, together. We even ended up working at the same company, making sure to have lunch and tea breaks together every day.
So, naturally, I expected her to be just as involved in her wedding planning as she was in mine.
“Brian and I don’t want to be engaged for too long,” she said one day at the office while we were having tea and pastries.
This work is inspired by real events and people, but it has been fictionalized for creative purposes. Names, characters, and details have been changed to protect privacy and enhance the narrative. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental and not intended by the author.
The author and publisher make no claims to the accuracy of events or the portrayal of characters and are not liable for any misinterpretation. This story is provided “as is,” and any opinions expressed are those of the characters and do not reflect the views of the author or publisher.
My Stepmother Ruined My Graduation Because She Didn’t Want My Mom to Be in the Picture with Her Husband
Graduation day should be Michelle’s happiest moment, but the celebrations take a nasty turn after she asks for a photo with her biological parents. Michelle’s stepmother flies into a jealous rage and destroys a treasured possession. Should Michelle forgive her?
Every high school student dreams of graduation day, right? I was no different. After years of sleepless nights, endless exams, and countless cups of coffee, I was pumped to finally take my first steps into adulthood.
I never expected one stupid photo would ruin everything.
Thoughtful teen girl | Source: Pexels
Mom was the first to arrive at the ceremony, carrying a huge bunch of pink peonies, my favorite flowers.
“OMG, Mom! You shouldn’t have,” I said, already dipping my head to inhale the sweet scent from the bouquet.
“Nonsense. You’ve worked hard to get here and deserve to be spoiled, Michelle,” she replied.
I pulled my mom into a huge hug. That’s when I noticed my dad and stepmom approaching. Immediately, my stomach started churning.
A woman holding a peony bouquet | Source: Pexels
Mom and Dad divorced when I was pretty young, and he married Claire, like, a year later. And I was okay with it. Both my parents made sure I felt loved, and I like Claire… most of the time, anyway.
The only problem is Claire and Mom don’t get along at all. Claire is always trying to one-up Mom, or she gets clingy with Dad. It’s seriously awkward.
But this was MY big day, and they’re all adults… there was no way they’d ruin this for me, right?
Close up of teen girl | Source: Pexels
“Hey, champ!” Dad called out as he and Claire approached. “Ready to graduate?”
“Absolutely, Dad,” I replied, trying to keep things light and positive as I went to give him a hug.
“Congratulations, Michelle. We’re so proud of you,” Claire said, her smile tight.
“Thanks, Claire,” I responded, “It means so much to have all of you here to celebrate with me.”
“That’s what family is for,” Mom chimed in.
At the time, I didn’t think much of the dark look that passed over Claire’s face as she glanced at Mom.
Angry woman | Source: Pexels
The graduation ceremony was a blur of excitement and emotion. Walking across that stage felt surreal, a dream realized. When it was all over, we gathered outside for photos.
That’s when everything exploded.
“Dad, Mom, can we take a picture together? Just the three of us?” I asked.
Claire’s eyes narrowed instantly.
“Why do you want a picture with him and his ex-wife? It’s disrespectful to our marriage,” she snapped, her voice sharp and biting.
Angry woman with crossed arms | Source: Pexels
My heart sank. I looked at Claire’s furious expression as my thoughts whirred. Why was this something I needed to explain?
Mom, ever the peacemaker, stepped in. “Michelle just wants a picture with her biological parents. It’s her special day. Let’s try to make it about her happiness.”
Claire’s face twisted with anger. “No, this is ridiculous! I won’t stand for it. My husband shouldn’t be in a picture with his ex-wife.”
I felt the tears welling up.
Angry woman shouting | Source: Pexels
“Claire, please,” I said, my voice cracking. “It’s just one photo. For me.”
Instead of relenting, Claire’s face hardened even more. Then she did something truly psycho.
Without warning, Claire grabbed my graduation cap from my head. Before I could react, she ripped the tassel off and crushed the cap in her hands, tearing it apart. The loud, ripping sound echoed, drawing gasps from the crowd around us.
I stood there, stunned and heartbroken, as I watched her destroy one of the most precious symbols of my achievement.
Teen girl crying | Source: Pexels
All my classmates had signed my cap. It was a memento of our shared journey. Now, it was nothing but a pile of torn fabric and shattered dreams.
“Claire, what the hell are you doing?” Dad shouted, turning red in the face. “That was completely out of line! This isn’t about you. This is about Michelle. She’s worked hard for this day, and we’re here to support her.”
Claire looked taken aback, clearly not expecting my dad to side with me so forcefully.
Woman frowning at the camera | Source: Pexels
She didn’t back down or apologize, though. Instead, she turned on her heel and stormed off, leaving us in an awkward, painful silence.
I tried to hold back my tears, but it was no use. My mom wrapped her arms around me, trying to offer some comfort.
My dad looked devastated, his shoulders slumping. “Michelle, I’m so sorry. I had no idea she would react like this. I’ll make it up to you, I promise.”
I nodded, because I knew it wasn’t Dad’s fault, but the damage was done.
A woman consoles another woman | Source: Pexels
You don’t just get over something as cruel as what Claire did to me. I tried to focus on the love and pride my parents had for me, but my mind kept replaying that moment.
It was hard to shake the sadness and disappointment. I wasn’t a perfect stepdaughter, but I’d never done anything to deserve this.
As we drove home for a small celebration, I couldn’t help but feel bitter. Claire’s jealousy had ruined everything, and I didn’t think I could ever forgive her.
Teenage girl | Source: Pexels
So, I was astounded she had the audacity to show up at the celebration. Dad tried to act like everything was okay, and Mom fought to keep the celebration going, but the tension was thick.
I took a slice of cake and sat in one corner, glaring at Dad and Claire. I guess he noticed me looking daggers at them, because he soon led her out onto the patio. I immediately hurried over to eavesdrop.
A couple having a heated discussion | Source: Pexels
“…have any idea how much you hurt Michelle?” Dad was saying.
Claire crossed her arms. “I didn’t want to be disrespected. Seeing you with her… it makes me feel like I don’t matter.”
“You tore up your stepdaughter’s graduation cap, Claire!” Dad snapped. “Do you not see how crazy that is? And over something as silly as a photo? My God!”
There was a long pause. I watched Claire closely as her face scrunched up. I was fully expecting her to go off again, but what she said next blew me away.
A shocked woman | Source: Pexels
“You’re right,” Claire muttered. “I-I don’t know what I was thinking. I just saw red.”
“I love you, Claire, but this is the last straw. If you can’t get a handle on your insecurities, then this relationship is doomed,” Dad said, his tone softening a bit. “What you did to Michelle was completely uncalled for, and I won’t stand by and let it happen again.”
“It won’t.” Claire blinked away tears as she took Dad’s hand in hers. “I promise. Please, say you’ll forgive me?”
A frowning man | Source: Pexels
My dad sighed, the tension easing a bit. “It’s not too late to change, but I’m not the one you should be asking for forgiveness.”
Claire nodded, looking genuinely sorry. “I’ll find a way to fix this.”
I’d heard enough, so I slipped away before they could notice me. I was still mad at Claire and couldn’t imagine anything she could do now to make up for ripping my cap to shreds.
Later that evening, Claire proved me wrong.
Thoughtful young woman | Source: Pexels
I was staring out the window, daydreaming about starting college in the Fall, when Claire approached me, holding something behind her back.
“Michelle, can we talk?” she asked softly.
My knee-jerk reaction was to tell her to get lost, but I was curious, so I nodded instead.
She sat beside me and pulled out a brand-new graduation cap. “I got all your classmates to sign it,” she said. “I’m really sorry for what I did, and I hope you’ll forgive me.”
Young woman seated near a window | Source: Pexels
I took the cap from her. Attached to it was a note: ‘Michelle, what I did to you was awful, but I hope you’ll find it in your heart to let me fix it. I’m truly sorry for hurting you. Love, Claire.’
“You ruined what was supposed to be one of the happiest days of my life,” I said, tears flowing down my cheeks as I spoke. “Do you truly mean this apology, or are you just trying to make sure Dad doesn’t dump you for acting crazy?”
Adult woman speaking to teen girl | Source: Pexels
Claire nodded earnestly. “I mean it, Michelle. I promise.”
Maybe I’m crazy, but I decided to give her a chance. First, I made her work for it. I asked her to take a photo of me with Mom and Dad while I held my new cap. To my surprise, she agreed.
“Now, for the whole family,” I said with a smile as I gestured to Claire to join us.
Do you think I did the right thing by forgiving my stepmom?
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