Off The Record
At My Daughter’s Wedding, I Caught Her Fiancé And Bridesmaid Sneaking Into The Bathroom—What I Saw Sent Chills Down My Spine
Grace was prepared to give her business as a wedding present as she witnessed her daughter Rita wed the man of her dreams. Her heart, however, raced when she watched the groom sneak off down a hallway with the bridesmaids and follow them. Before it was too late, could Grace reveal the truth?
At sixty-five, I can genuinely state that Rita, my daughter, is everything to me. She is the only remaining member of my family. It has been the two of us against everything since her father died when she was just seven years old.
In order to offer her the life she deserved, I started my marketing consultancy business from nothing, working 16-hour days and skipping school plays and football matches. And I succeeded. Rita had a safe, loving, and contented childhood.
I sobbed when she called me six months ago to tell me she was getting engaged. Tears of joy. The kind of tears you shed when you discover your child has discovered what you’ve always wanted them to.
“Mom, Simon proposed! Can you believe it? I’m getting married!”
I recall my heart pounding as I gripped the phone. “Oh, sweetheart, that’s wonderful! I’m so happy for you!”
I was, too. I really was. since Rita was deserving of affection. She was worthy of a mate who would value her as much as her father valued me.
I didn’t think twice when she asked me to assist with the wedding. “Baby, I’m paying for everything. The whole thing. You pick whatever you want, and I’ll make it happen.”
“Mom, you don’t have to do that—”
“I want to. Please, Rita. Let me do this for you.”
So I did. I covered the costs of the photographer, the designer dress that made Rita seem like a real princess, the location, the flowers, and the catering.
Nothing was too costly. Ultimately, I had a more ambitious strategy. I was intending to give her ownership of my company immediately following the ceremony. She was going to own the company, which was valued at about $3 million.
If I’m being totally honest, Simon was the only thing that upset me.
About three months before to the wedding, I first met him. Something seemed strange as soon as he walked through my door after Rita took him to my house for dinner. I can’t really explain it.
He complemented my cuisine, told me how fortunate he was to have Rita, and said all the right things and smiled at the right times. However, the warmth of his words was not matched by something behind his eyes.
I handed him the salad dish and asked, “So, Simon, what do you do for a living?”
“I’m in sales. Tech sales, actually. It’s a pretty competitive field, but I do alright.” He grinned.
“That’s wonderful. And you’re treating my daughter well, I hope?”
Rita said, “Mom,” with a frightened giggle. “Of course he is.”
Simon extended his arm to grasp Rita’s hand. “She’s the best thing that ever happened to me, Grace. I promise you, I’m going to take care of her.”
However, I felt a shiver go down my spine as he uttered it. Mother’s intuition, if you will. Think of it as paranoia. Call it what you wish. There was something about this man that I didn’t like.
Rita loved him nonetheless. The way she gazed at him, like if he had hung the moon and stars specifically for her, made that much clear. And for no other reason than a negative emotion, who was I to obstruct my daughter’s happiness?
I decided to ignore my intuition. I grinned and embraced him like a member of our family.
On a lovely Saturday afternoon in June, the wedding day finally arrived. The location was breathtaking, an outside garden filled with white roses and twinkling string lights as the sun set. As I assisted Rita with her veil, her face was beaming with happiness and she looked stunning in her outfit.
She said, “Mom, I can’t believe this is really happening,” as tears filled her eyes.
I kissed her cheek, being careful not to get makeup on it, and said, “You look so beautiful, sweetheart. Your father would be so proud.”
The ceremony was flawless. Rita’s father wasn’t present, so she accompanied me down the aisle. As we arrived at the altar and I put her hand in Simon’s, I gave him a direct look and gave him a silent warning to look after her. With the same easy smile, he nodded.
They then made vows to each other. Rita vowed to love him forever, richer or poorer, better or worse, her voice quivering with emotion. Simon’s vows were just as lovely and compelling. The guests cheered when the officiant declared them husband and wife and they shared a kiss.
In that instant, I felt like I had never been happier.
They were in the middle of the reception. Rita was surrounded by family and friends, receiving congrats, dancing, laughing, and beaming with joy. I watched her while sipping a glass of champagne off to the side, feeling pride and love fill my heart.
At that moment, I became aware of something odd.
Rita’s college buddy and bridesmaid, Megan, was standing close to the bar. However, she wasn’t interacting with the other visitors. I felt sick to my stomach from the intensity of her gaze on Simon. Afterward, she approached him, leaned close to him, and whispered something in his ear.
Simon’s cheeks turned red. He took a quick look around to see whether anyone was observing. Then he got up, grabbed Megan’s hand, and they moved away from the audience, towards the back of the auditorium.
My intuition spoke out to me. There was a serious problem.
With my heart thumping in my chest, I put down my champagne glass and followed them. They appeared to know exactly where they were heading because they were moving swiftly. I ducked between columns and groups of guests, staying far enough back to avoid being noticed.
They turned away from the laughter and music and along a quiet hallway by the restrooms. After that, I saw Simon snatch Megan, shove her up against the wall, and plant a kiss on her. While my daughter stood a hundred meters away, declaring herself the happiest woman alive, he was blatantly kissing another lady.
But it wasn’t the kiss that broke me. It was the discussion.
Megan laughed when they eventually parted ways. “God, I can’t believe we pulled this off.”
As he adjusted his tie, Simon said smugly, “I know, babe. Too easy.”
Megan touched up her lipstick and said, “How much longer do you have to keep this up?”
Simon gave a shrug. “A year, maybe? Long enough to look legit. Then I’ll divorce her and walk away with half of everything. Once Grace transfers that business, we’re talking at least a million and a half.”
“For us,” Megan forcefully clarified.
He kissed her neck and said, “Right, for us.” “I can’t wait to leave her, babe. Rita’s so naive it’s pathetic.”
Megan gave a nasty laugh. “Patience, baby. Just stay married long enough. Then you can divorce your ugly, boring wife and we’ll have everything we deserve.”
I gave a gasp. Before I could stop it, the sound escaped.
Simon yelled out, “Is someone there?” as their heads swung towards me.
“Relax,” Megan muttered. “Probably nothing.”
I was certain they could hear my heartbeat because it was so loud. As their footsteps approached, I hid behind a column and held my breath.
They would see me if they took one more step. However, they were diverted in a different direction when someone in the hallway yelled about a misplaced boutonniere.
I let out a trembling breath and pushed myself to get up. I had to reach Rita. I had to let her know. Keep her safe.
I rushed back into the reception area, squeezing past others in an attempt to find her white dress. Unaware of the catastrophe she had just married, she was smiling and joking with the maid of honour.
“Rita,” I reached out and whispered.
Just as the DJ tapped the microphone, she turned. “Ladies and gentlemen, may we have your attention for the bride’s toast!”
Rita got happier. “Mom, I’ll be right back!”
Simon then entered the room.
suit with buttons. a smooth grin. The role of groom of the year is firmly back in the spotlight. There was no sign of the man whose lips had just met Megan’s.
Rita lifted her glass and he planted a kiss on her cheek. “To love… and to the beautiful future Simon and I are about to build.”
I was ill.
She would be ruined in front of everyone if I told her now. Rita could cling to Simon even more if he denied it. I required indisputable evidence. Something he was unable to conceal under his charm, phoney, or spin.
So I waited.
I drove to their home a week later, guided by a bad feeling in my stomach. I watched the driveway while I parked down the street. Rita had only been at work for half an hour.
It was ten minutes.
Five more after that.
Then Megan’s blue vehicle arrived.
She went outside with Simon’s sweatshirt knotted around her waist, leggings and an enormous jumper. She entered the house as if it were her own.
I murmured, “Oh, absolutely not,” and reached for my phone.
I then gave Rita a call. “Sweetheart, come home. I’m right outside your house. Don’t ask questions. Just come.”
“Mom, is something wrong?”
“Yes. Trust me.”
I ran to the window in the living room. I peered in through the narrow gap between two curtains.
They were on the couch, there. They were laughing and kissing as if no one could see what they were doing. His arm was firmly encircling her waist, and her hands were entangled in his hair.
With haste, I took out my phone and took a picture through the glass. It was wobbly and blurry, but it was evidence.
Anger tightened my chest as I moved away from the window. I was eager to see Rita. Now I needed answers.
I strode to the front door, flung it open, and barged in before I even knew what I was doing.
Like remorseful teenagers, they jerked apart.
Simon clambered to his feet. He pretended to be surprised and asked, “Grace?” “What are you doing here?”
I gestured right at him. “I know exactly what I saw.”
Megan got to her feet. “Grace, wait—”
“Don’t.” I trembled. “I watched you two kissing on the couch. I watched you walk into this house like it belongs to you. Don’t you dare stand there and lie to me.”
Simon gently held up his hands. “Grace, that’s absurd. Nothing happened. Megan came over to help me sort out paperwork. You must’ve misunderstood.”
I yelled, “I misunderstood?” “You two were wrapped around each other like a pair of vipers!”
Megan looked at Simon and swallowed hard.
His voice smoothed as he moved closer. “Grace… I know you care about Rita. But you’re overreacting. Please, let’s talk about this rationally.”
“Rational?” was my response. “You’re destroying my daughter’s life.”
I heard Rita’s car outside before I could say anything more. For the first time, Simon’s eyes sparked with panic.
Suddenly, he fixed his hair, straightened his shirt, and calmly started organising documents on the table.
He muttered, “Follow my lead,” to Megan.
Her breathing evened out, and the living room appeared pristine and arranged as if nothing had occurred.
And Rita found us just that way.
Rita blinked. “What’s… going on?”
startled but not startled, Simon looked up. He gave Rita a warm smile and said, “Grace showed up and accused me of having an affair.” “Honey, I think she’s overwhelmed.”
Megan lightly caressed Rita’s arm. “We were just helping Simon sort out tax deductions. I swear, that’s it.”
Rita looked from one of us to the other, her eyes flashing with apprehension.
“Are you sure you didn’t… misinterpret something?” she asked in a whisper.
“I know what I saw,” I firmly declared.
Simon gave a soft shake of his head. “Grace, this is dangerous. These kinds of accusations can ruin families.”
Rita then turned to look at Megan’s mouth. She had a little smudged lipstick. Pretending not to notice, she wiped it fast.
Rita swallowed hard, her face awash with anxiety.
However, Simon put an arm around her waist, controlling, comforting, and grounding her.
“I love you,” he whispered to her.
She gave a slow nod. “I… I need a minute.”
Seeing her cling to him in spite of that small doubtful thought crushed my heart.
Breathing heavily, I went outdoors. I would lose her to this man forever if I didn’t take action right away. Something more powerful was what I needed. Something definitive.
Rita shut the door behind her as she followed me out onto the porch. Her eyes were downcast and her shoulders were stiff.
“Mom,” softly replied she, “I know you’re trying to help me, but everything feels… confusing.”
I put a cup to her cheek. “Sweetheart, I saw them. I saw them at the wedding first… and then today. They’re not even trying to hide it.”
Whispering, “But the paperwork…”
When I said, “They staged it,” “They’re playing you.”
Rita trembled her breath. “I thought I saw… something. On Megan’s lipstick. And the couch looked rumpled.” She raised her eyebrows. “But Simon said—”
“Simon lies,” I said. “That’s what men like him do.”
She started crying. “I don’t know what to believe.”
That’s when I decided what to do.
“I’m done letting him manipulate you,” I replied. “I’m going back in there.”
Rita hesitated, a glimmer of worry in her eyes. “Mom… please don’t make things worse.”
“I’m not,” I said for sure. “I’m ending them.”
Together, we made our way back inside. I noticed a hint of irritation beneath Simon’s patient grin as he looked up. Megan tensed up a little.
Simon said, “Everything okay?”
“No,” I replied. “Not at all.”
With a steady, icy voice, I approached them gently.
“I know who you are,” I said. “I know what you’re doing, and I know what you’re planning.”
Simon gritted his teeth. “Grace, let’s all calm down—”
“I saw you,” I yelled. “At the wedding. In the hallway.”
Megan’s blinks were quick. “What? That’s — that didn’t happen.”
Further, “I heard you,” I said. “Your little scheme. The money. The plan to divorce Rita.”
Rita winced.
Simon let out a sharp sigh. “Grace, you’re misunderstanding. You’re seeing things that aren’t there.”
I took out my phone and held it up, saying, “No. I’m not.” “I even took a picture today.”
There was a brief flicker in his gaze. Enough to let me know that he was aware.
Rita whispered, “What picture?” “Let me see.”
Although the picture wasn’t flawless, it captured the reality.
Simon moved swiftly forward. “Rita, don’t let her manipulate you. This is exactly how paranoia destroys families.”
Once more, there it was. Paranoia is his favourite word.
I’d had enough.
I remarked, “Oh really?” “Then let’s test your loyalty.”
I put the phone on speaker and called my attorney.
“Hello, Jax,” I exclaimed. “I need to change my will. Immediately. My daughter gets nothing. Everything goes to charity.”
Rita took a sharp breath. “Mom—”
“If Simon is the man he says he is, this shouldn’t matter,” I remarked, looking directly at him.
Simon stopped.
Then his mask broke.
He said, “What do you mean she gets nothing?” “Are you out of your mind? Rita, tell her she can’t do that!”
Rita took a step back. “Why do you care, Simon?”
“Because…because—” he stammered. Then it blew up. “Do you honestly think someone like you is worth anything without money?”
Rita’s expression twisted.
He yelled, “And guess what?” “I’ve been sleeping with Megan this whole time!”
“Simon!” exclaimed Megan. “You idiot!”
Rita trembled wildly. “You… you both lied to me?”
“Oh, please,” Megan yelled. “You were never meant to keep him. We were supposed to be rich by now!”
Simon reached for his keys. “This was a waste of time. Let’s go.”
They rushed out after that.
Rita sobbed as she fell into me as soon as the door slammed.
Whispering, “I’m so sorry, sweetheart,” I held her close. “But I needed you to see. I needed you to see Simon for who he really is. I couldn’t let you stay with a man who didn’t value you for who you are.”
“Mom,” she muttered, “thank you… for not giving up on me.”
I gave her head a kiss on top. “A mother doesn’t stop protecting her child just because they’re grown.”
And I came to a crucial realisation as we stood there in the quiet of that living room. Love isn’t always gentle. Sometimes the only way to preserve a heart is to break it.
Pulling a child out of a fire they are unaware they are in can sometimes be the hardest thing a mother can do.
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