Weddings are said to be the most magical day in a woman’s life. From the planning to walking down the aisle to the vows and the first kiss. Sounds wonderful, right? Sure, but it also sounds like the perfect spot for drama and unexpected turns.
Read how these unexpected turns transform what should be a joyful celebration into a whirlwind of emotions. From last-minute mishaps to hidden tensions among guests, the path of saying “I do” can be anything but smooth.
As love and excitement mix with anxiety and stress, these big days can reveal deep-seated insecurities and surprising revelations, making each wedding a unique story of its own.
A collage of wedding photos | Source: Midjourney
I Yelled ‘I Don’t!’ at My Own Wedding after Conversation with Groom’s Mother Whose Plan Almost Worked Out
Do parents just enjoy dropping bombshells before weddings? When I say before—I mean 30 minutes before?
Because that’s exactly what Ryan’s mother did.
An old clock on a piece of newspaper | Source: Pexels
Ryan and I met two years ago — it was one of those by-chance meetings. I was at the community theatre because one of my friends, Mila, was in the local musical with her directorial debut.
So, there I was, standing outside after the performance, holding a bouquet for Mila. Ryan walked out, and because of the crowd, walked directly into me, crushing the flowers.
A red curtain at a theatre | Source: Unsplash
“I am so sorry,” he said, picking up the bouquet.
“I hate crowds,” I said.
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.
Crumpled rose petals | Source: Pexels
Just three months into our romance, Ryan proposed in a pub while drinking Guinness and eating crispy potato skins.
Last week, we should have sealed that promise with our wedding vows. But our wedding went in the complete opposite direction it should have gone.
Initially, my family welcomed Ryan with open arms. As the only daughter, my parents were thrilled that I had met someone who genuinely made me happy.
“This is a different side to you, Hanna,” my mother said one evening when we had Ryan over for family dinner.
An elderly couple embracing a younger couple | Source: Pexels
“He makes her happy,” my father said, smiling. “That’s all a father could want.”
Ryan’s side of the family was more or less the same thing. The Coles opened their home and hearts to me, and they wanted nothing more than to have us over as much as possible. Mrs. Cole, Audrey, had gotten into a coffee date and manicure routine with me, too.
A person getting their nails done | Source: Pexels
And everything felt right, until the very moment it changed.
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.
Flowers and tulle along church pews | Source: Pexels
“Darling,” she said. “Can we chat for a moment?”
I nodded and told her to wait until my glam team was done with my hair and makeup. Something about her demeanor made me feel anxious and nervous. I watched her movements from my reflection in the mirror.
Her eyes moved around the room quickly, often settling on my wedding dress hanging from its hook.
Wedding dress on a hanger | Source: Pexels
When I was ready, and my mother was buttoning up my dress, I turned to Audrey. “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.”
An upset woman | Source: Pixabay
My heart thundered in my chest. While my hair was being done, and I sat watching her, I knew that nothing good was going to come from our conversation.
“Just say it,” I said. “Tell me.”
Audrey pulled her phone out of her clutch and held it out for me.
“There are videos on this phone that will explain everything. I am so sorry, Hanna, but Ryan needs to be caught out.”
A woman holding a phone | Source: Pexels
My mind raced. I couldn’t fathom what I was about to see once her phone was unlocked.
“Here,” she said, handing me her phone as a woman’s voice echoed through the room. The videos on Audrey’s phone revealed Ryan with another woman.
“Are you sure?” I asked. “This is him?”
A man wearing a black jacket | Source: Unsplash
Audrey closed her eyes and took a deep breath. “Well, look at the jacket on the bed,” she said. “Isn’t that the one you got him?”
I pressed play again and looked at the jacket. The hotel room also looked familiar — I was so sure that we had been there before.
“But Ryan’s face isn’t in the frame,” I said. I was struggling. I couldn’t believe that my almost mother-in-law was standing in front of me with a video showing her son’s affair.
A smiling older woman | Source: Pexels
“Hanna,” she said slowly. “It’s right in front of you. You can choose to overlook it, but think of the man that you would be marrying if you choose to ignore it. Could you live with yourself knowing that? Could you live with him?”
I shook my head. I wanted to cry because of how overwhelmed I was.
“Fine,” I said.
“You’re calling off the wedding?” Audrey asked, hope lining her voice.
A father and bride walking down a hallway | Source: Unsplash
“No,” I said. “I’m going to walk down that aisle. I’m going to walk to the man who has been unfaithful to me. And when the time comes for our vows, I’ll break it off then.”
“Okay, dear,” Audrey said, putting her phone back into her bag. “It’s almost time now, anyway.”
A groom at the altar | Source: Pexels
I sat down on the chaise and waited for my father to come and get me when it was time to marry Ryan. I wanted nothing more than to get into a car and drive away to someplace where I could eat my feelings in a mountain of fries.
My heart violently pounded with fury as I approached the altar on my father’s arm. Ryan aware of the storm brewing beneath my skin, smiled tenderly at me. He took my hand and squeezed it. It would have been absolutely perfect, except for the fact that he had been with someone else.
A couple at the altar | Source: Unsplash
Our priest went on to quote scripture about love and matrimony from the Bible. And when it was time for our vows, my heart quietened down—finally realizing what was about to come.
“I don’t,” I said softly, more to the ground than to Ryan.
“Speak louder, Hanna,” the priest said.
“I don’t!” I said more confidently, the words echoing like a resounding shockwave.
An upset man | Source: Unsplash
Ryan’s shock morphed into confusion as I repeated those two words again.
“Hanna? What?” he asked, hurt and betrayal deep in his voice.
“Ask your mom,” I said, pointing at Audrey. “Mrs. Cole, please tell everyone what you told me earlier.”
“Look,” I said to Ryan.
Ryan took a step back, almost falling over the wedding arch.
“That is not me, Hanna!” he said loudly. “Hanna, you know it’s not me!”
A shocked woman covering her eyes | Source: Unsplash
I refused to look him in the eye.
Then he confronted his mother.
“Mom, what is all this? What is that? Where did you get that video?”
Audrey shook her head and walked down the aisle, leaving the church in silence.
I could not bear to hear Ryan’s excuses.
“Hanna, please,” he said. “I need you to believe me.”
A black jacket lying on a bed | Source: Unsplash
And I wanted to. Of course, I wanted to believe the man I loved. But it was clear. The jacket that I bought him lay across the bed in the video.
And if there was the possibility that he wasn’t with another person — how would he explain the video? And the woman who was barely dressed? And the sound effects?
“I can’t do this,” I said. “I won’t.”
I blocked his number.
A woman using her phone | Source: Pexels
Two days later, Ryan showed up at my parents’ house with takeout and flowers.
“You expect this to fix everything?” I asked.
“I need to talk,” he said simply.
Against my better judgment, I listened. What Ryan revealed next sent me down another spiral.
Tulips in a vase | Source: Pexels
“My mother orchestrated that video. The people in it are her students. And it was all because she didn’t want us to get married.”
My jaw hit the ground.
“I thought she liked me. Clearly she doesn’t if she put an entire video together.”
“She did say that the sounds were edited,” Ryan chuckled nervously. “But I’ve got to hand it to her, adding my jacket was a good touch.”
A woman sitting and looking out the window | Source: Pexels
I forgave Ryan immediately, and he did the same in return — I did accuse him of cheating on me in front of all our guests. We’re still together, but I don’t know what the future holds.
My Fiancé Humiliated Me at the Altar – He Regretted It a Minute Later & Claimed I Ruined His Life
I was set to marry the love of my life. It was supposed to be simple. Easy, even. But when I got to the altar on my wedding day, the entire event turned into a public spectacle.
When Chris walked into the room, the world suddenly seemed so much brighter. We hit it off instantly, slipping into effortless conversation.
Megan chats with Joseph | Source: Midjourney
By the end of the night, Joseph was teasing us about how we’d hit it off, and I couldn’t deny the spark.
“It’s magnetic, Megan,” he said.
Chris and I exchanged numbers, and soon, those friendly texts turned into nightly calls, and then into dates.
Chris looks at Megan | Source: Midjourney
“I can’t get enough of you,” Chris said.
With every moment we spent together, it just felt right. He brought a sense of adventure and a depth of understanding that I hadn’t realized I was craving.
“It’s magical, really, how everything fell into place so quickly and so completely,” I told Joseph one day.
A couple embracing | Source: Unsplash
My relationship with Chris wasn’t just a whirlwind. It felt like we’d started our own little world. We were wrapped in each other, discovering everything about the other.
It wasn’t long before I could easily see a future with him.
But it wasn’t all smooth sailing. Despite Chris being confident, he was insecure about my friendship with Joseph.
Joseph and Chris | Source: Midjourney
“Look, we’re close, yes. And we have a history, but it was years before you, Chris,” I said.
One evening, Chris did something truly unexpected. He disappeared into our bedroom and came back with a small, velvet box. My heart stopped for a second as he knelt and opened it, revealing a beautiful ring.
“Marry me, Megan,” he said.
An engagement ring with red roses | Source: Unsplash
The engagement bliss kicked in after that, and wedding planning began almost immediately.
I had a clear vision of what I wanted. Nothing extravagant, but I wanted it to be a beautiful ceremony.
Megan plans her wedding | Source: Midjourney
I took charge of most of the arrangements, trusting Chris with the invitations and the photographer.
“Use your eye for aesthetics, honey,” I said.
Of course, I couldn’t get through my wedding stress without Maya, my childhood best friend. She was my maid of honor, too.
Megan and Maya | Source: Midjourney
Having her stand by me on one of the most important days just felt right. She jumped right in, helping with decisions and offering the support I needed to navigate the stress of wedding planning.
“I’ve got you, Meg,” she said.
Just before the rehearsal dinner, Joseph, Maya, Chris, and I met for a casual lunch as a break from the wedding chaos.
I didn’t realize that my mistake would be making a light-hearted comment.
Maya and Joseph | Source: Midjourney
“I think you and Maya would be a cute couple,” I told Joseph.
They both laughed it off, but I noticed Chris’s smile falter. His mood shifted almost instantly, and a cloud seemed to hang over him for the rest of the meal. I tried to brush it off, thinking that maybe it was just the wedding nerves.
Fast forward to the wedding day. Everything was a scene out of a bridal magazine.
Wedding venue | Source: Midjourney
But as I walked down the aisle, my heart full of love, ready to start this new chapter, I saw Chris’s expression change. What began as a tender look turned sharp and cold.
Reaching the altar, he suddenly stepped forward, grabbing the microphone from the officiant.
“You’ve been having an affair with Joseph, haven’t you, Megan?” he declared. “And anyway, I cannot marry someone as boring as you.”
Megan cries at the altar | Source: Midjourney
And then he stormed off.
But it wasn’t over yet. Maya seemed to question Chris’s intentions with me, and she had recorded his interactions with Susan, our wedding photographer.
As she pressed play, Chris’s shameless flirting filled the room.
Maya points at the wedding bouquet | Source: Midjourney
“I’m attracted to you, Susan,” he said.
The aftermath was brutal.
Chris’ parents fired him from their family firm and cut him out of their will. He had no choice but to move out of the family home.
“This is all your fault!” he exploded on the phone after.
Megan looks into her future with hope | Source: Midjourney
It’s been a rough ride, but I’m slowly picking up the pieces of my shattered love life.
I Made My Fiancé Regret Cheating on Me with My Best Friend – Was I Right to Make Him Cry at the Altar?
My name is Megan, and up until a few months ago, I thought my life was falling into place. I had a fiancé, Brad, and together we were planning a wedding and a future. But as they say, life can change in the blink of an eye.
A woman sitting in bed | Source: Shutterstock
“Brad cheated on me with Andrea,” I confided to my therapist. “My childhood best friend.”
“That’s a heavy betrayal,” she replied gently.
Since discovering their relationship, I’ve been living with my parents, working from home, and going to therapy.
A woman discovering her partner is cheating | Source: Shutterstock
“I’m finally able to look back without crying,” I told my mom one morning.
“I’m so proud of you, Megan.”
But then, Andrea called. “I’m pregnant,” she announced.
My heart sank. “Pregnant? And you’re marrying Brad?”
A woman discovering she’s pregnant | Source: Shutterstock
“Yes,” she said. “The date’s set.”
Their lives moved on while I tried to heal. Brad and Andrea bombarded me with messages, switching from apologies to insults.
“Why are you blaming me for ruining your wedding?” I demanded during a heated phone call with Andrea.
A woman looking sad while on her phone | Source: Shutterstock
“You’re selfish,” she snapped. “Our families won’t come unless you forgive us.”
They tried bribing me. “If you get our families to attend, we’ll name our child after you.”
Their families agreed to attend only if I did, to show I’d forgiven them.
“They want me to forgive you?” I asked Andrea incredulously.
A woman reading messages | Source: Shutterstock
“Yes, Megan. It would mean everything to us.”
But Andrea didn’t stop texting. “Why won’t you leave me alone?” I yelled after blocking her sixth number.
“I need my revenge,” I whispered to myself, seething with anger.
I texted Andrea back. “I’ll attend your wedding.”
A woman looking sad | Source: Shutterstock
“Really?” she replied, surprised.
“Yes, inform your families.”
The day of the wedding arrived. White and gold decor mirrored the vision board Brad and I had created.
“This looks exactly like what we planned,” I muttered bitterly to myself.
A wedding ceremony | Source: Pexels
I chose a seat in the middle, ensuring Brad and Andrea would see me from every angle.
As they said their vows, the priest asked, “Does anyone object?”
I raised my hand and stood up.
A couple getting married | Source: Shutterstock
“What is she doing?” I heard whispers around me.
“Ladies and gentlemen,” I began, “I object. This wedding is built on my tears and heartache.”
Brad’s face turned pale.
“Brad cheated on me with Andrea,” I continued. “They bombarded me with messages, calling me selfish. And while they did, I discovered I was pregnant.”
A woman reading a note | Source: Pexels
Gasps echoed through the crowd.
“At twelve weeks, I miscarried. The doctors said it was stress-induced, from the emotional trauma caused by their affair.”
I paused, gathering strength. “This isn’t just about infidelity. It’s about the life it cost me — my daughter’s life.”
A woman giving a speech at a wedding | Source: Flickr.com
The crowd was silent, shocked.
“To Brad and Andrea,” I said, “today is not a joyous day for me. It’s a reminder of my loss and pain. You moved on, but I’m left with scars that may never heal. I won’t forgive this betrayal.”
I stood there in silence and looked at Brad. He stood on the altar and cried, while everyone remained silent.
But those tears did nothing for me.
A man crying | Source: Pexels
I wanted him to feel a sense of responsibility for my loss.
My Ex-fiancée Left Me on My Wedding Day – 17 Years Later, My Wife Gets Shocked by Her Revelations
I never thought I’d share this story, but recent events have stirred up memories I thought were long buried, prompting me to revisit a chapter of my past that shaped the course of my future.
It all began during my college years when the world seemed full of endless possibilities. That’s when I met Maya, a girl whose mere presence could light up the darkest corners of any room.
College students studying at a park | Source: Pexels
From the moment our eyes met, I knew there was something special about her. We fell fast and hard, swept up in a whirlwind romance that felt like it was straight out of a fairy tale.
As our relationship blossomed, so did our dreams of a future together. We talked about marriage, children, and all the adventures that awaited us beyond the walls of our university. It wasn’t long before I found myself down on one knee, holding out a ring and asking Maya to be my wife. And to my delight, she said yes.
A man proposing to his girlfriend on a lavender field | Source: Pexels
But as they say, all that glitters is not gold. Behind the facade of our seemingly perfect relationship, cracks began to form. I was so blinded by love that I failed to see the warning signs, the subtle hints that all was not as it seemed.
Maya was distant at times, lost in her own thoughts, but I chalked it up to wedding jitters and pushed my doubts aside.
Little did I know, Maya was hiding a secret. One that would shatter the illusion of our love and leave me shocked in its wake.
A woman looking suspicious | Source: Pexels
It wasn’t until our wedding day that the truth came crashing down around me, leaving me to pick up the pieces of a dream that had turned into a nightmare.
Maya and I dove headfirst into wedding preparations, caught up in the whirlwind of romance and excitement. Every moment felt like a scene from a romantic movie as we meticulously planned every aspect of our big day.
A young woman covering her face with her hand | Source: Pexels
From the venue adorned with fragrant flowers to the menu filled with delectable delights, we spared no expense to ensure that our wedding would be nothing short of perfection.
Amid all the chaos and excitement, I failed to notice the subtle shifts in Maya’s behavior.
People dancing at a wedding | Source: Pexels
Looking back, the signs were there, hidden in plain sight, but love has a way of clouding judgment. She became increasingly distant, withdrawing into herself at times when we should have been reveling in the joy of our impending union.
But I brushed off my concerns, attributing her moments of unhappiness to the stress of wedding planning.
A young woman grabbing her head while sitting on a chair | Source: Pexels
As the days turned into weeks and the weeks into months, Maya’s absences grew more frequent. There were times when I would come home to find her lost in thought, her eyes distant and far away.
When I asked her what was wrong, she would offer vague excuses, brushing off my concerns with a forced smile.
But deep down, I knew something wasn’t right. I could feel the distance growing between us. Yet, I clung to the hope that our love would conquer all, refusing to entertain the possibility that Maya could be hiding something from me.
Groom wearing a grey and white tuxedo | Source: Pexels
The morning of our wedding dawned with the promise of a new beginning, the air heavy with anticipation and excitement.
Friends and family bustled about, their laughter and chatter filling the room with an infectious energy. I stood at the altar, my heart pounding in my chest, as I waited for Maya to make her grand entrance.
Bride walking down the aisle | Source: Shutterstock
And then, she appeared. A vision in white, her beauty illuminated by the soft glow of the afternoon sun. At that moment, I felt a surge of emotion wash over me, overwhelming in its intensity.
But as Maya began her descent down the aisle, a shadow flickered across her face, betraying the smile that adorned her lips.
Without warning, Maya tossed her bouquet aside, the flowers scattering to the ground like shards of broken dreams.
A bride running away | Source: Pexels
And then, with a determination that cut through the air like a knife, she turned on her heel and fled — straight into the arms of her ex — who was waiting in the corner in a white tuxedo.
I was shocked and so embarrassed. I stood there, frozen in disbelief, as Maya fled into the arms of her ex-lover, leaving me alone at the altar.
A disheartened man broken-hearted after being rejected | Source: Shutterstock
The humiliation of being abandoned on what was supposed to be the happiest day of my life burned like a brand on my soul, a constant reminder of the betrayal I had endured.
But amidst the chaos and confusion, one thought crisscrossed my mind — Maya was not the woman I thought she was.
But as time passed, the wounds began to heal, and I found solace in the arms of another — Susan.
A family of four walking down the street | Source: Pexels
Susan was everything Maya was not — kind, loving, and fiercely loyal. She accepted me for who I was, flaws and all, and together we built a life filled with love and laughter.
As the years went by, Maya faded into the recesses of my memory. Since she was a celebrity in our city, I had mentioned to Susan that I almost married her.
And my wife’s response was, “I’m glad you didn’t.”
Seventeen years later, on a seemingly ordinary evening, Susan stumbled upon a reality TV show while flipping through channels. She screamed, “Hank! Look at this! She’s your ex, right?! That witch! She made you a laughingstock!”
A man holding a remote | Source: Pexels
Her gasp of recognition echoed through the room, causing me to glance up from my book in confusion. And then, as I watched the screen, the pieces of the puzzle fell into place.
On the screen was a show about the most dramatic weddings.
There she was — Maya, my former fiancée — recounting the story of our ill-fated wedding day with a self-satisfied smirk. She recounted how she left me at the altar for her “true love.”
She claimed she saw tears on my face but she still chose her “true love.”
A happy couple enjoying each others company | Source: Pexels
Susan’s outrage mirrored my own, her fists clenched in anger as she watched Maya’s shameless display. “I can’t believe she’s still bragging about it,” she said.
And yet, amidst the anger, I felt a sense of clarity wash over me. Maya’s betrayal had led me to the greatest gift of all, the love of my life, Susan.
Turning to my wife, I took her hand in mine, a silent vow passing between us. “You know what?” I said, my voice steady with conviction.
“Let her have her moment of fame. We have something much better — a real, loving marriage.”
And with that, we turned off the TV, choosing to focus on the love and laughter that filled our own lives.
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.
At 50, I was ridiculed by a young colleague, but I ended up teaching her a valuable lesson
At 50, I thought my career was behind me. But when I joined a fast-paced startup, I quickly became the target of a young colleague’s jealousy. What unfolded was more than a battle for respect. It led to a shocking twist that changed everything.
Losing my husband left me feeling like a ship adrift. The days blurred together, and it seemed impossible to find purpose again.
The psychology degree I’d tucked away years ago suddenly seemed like my last lifeline. So, I dusted it off and decided it was time to use it in my 50s.
When I landed an internship at an IT startup, I could hardly believe it. Technology wasn’t exactly my field.
But I thought, “Why not? Maybe this is the fresh start I need.”
My new boss, Liam, was 28. Sharp, ambitious, and a bit too focused on one thing. Success. Profits, growth, numbers.
People? Not so much.
During our first meeting, Liam barely looked at me. I could feel the skepticism rolling off him.
“So, I was thinking,” I began cautiously. “It might help if we focus on building stronger connections within the tea…”
Liam interrupted me, “We’re growing fast. I need results. What exactly are you suggesting?”
“Well, it’s about creating a balance.”
“You’re an intern, right? Just listen and repeat,” he said, already turning back to his laptop.
That was it. The conversation’s over. I left the office feeling deflated.
Maybe I am too old for this.
I needed a fresh perspective, so I called Jake my best friend.
Jake had always been the one to pull me through, even in my darkest moments. After my husband passed away, there were days when I couldn’t even get out of bed. But Jake was there, encouraging me when I couldn’t see past the grief.
We agreed to meet at our usual spot, a quiet café around the corner from my place. It was one of those cozy spots where time seemed to slow down.
Jake was already there when I arrived.
“Hey, Mary. You look like you’ve got a lot on your mind,” Jake said, waving me over.
I sat down. “I don’t know, Jake. This new job… It’s harder than I thought. Liam’s young, and he’s all about numbers and profits.”
“Liam, huh? The 28-year-old boss you told me about?”
I sighed. “Yeah. He’s not focused on people. I suggested some ideas, but he brushed them off.”
“Sounds like he’s missing the bigger picture,” Jake replied. “You’ve been through a lot. You know how to bring people together, how to help them connect. Why not use that?”
I looked at him, confused.
“What do you mean?”
“Remember that emotional support program you wrote as your thesis? Why not offer that as the team-building event? It’s what you know best, and it works.”
I thought for a moment. He was right. The program had given me back my strength after losing my husband.
“Maybe you’re onto something,” I said, a bit more hopeful. “I’ll pitch the idea to Liam.”
Jake grinned. “Now you’re talking. And remember, if anyone can get through to a guy like him, it’s you.”
With renewed confidence, I approached Liam the next day. After explaining the team-building event, I watched his face, hoping for some spark of interest.
“Alright, Mary. Let’s give it a shot,” Liam said, though his voice lacked the enthusiasm I’d hoped for.
“Thanks, Liam. I’ll make sure the team will benefit from it.”
Suddenly, my eyes caught Lora, who’d been standing just outside the office, clearly eavesdropping on our conversation. She stepped into my path before I could walk by.
“Team-building, huh? Sounds like a big project,” she said, her eyes glinting with something I couldn’t quite place.
“It should be a good way to get everyone more connected,” I said, trying to stay upbeat despite the uncomfortable tension I felt with her.
“Liam agreed to this? Surprising, he’s not really into this soft stuff.”
I shrugged lightly. “He’s willing to try, so that’s something.”
She paused for a moment, then smiled again, a little too brightly.
“Hey, since you’ll be busy organizing all the activities, why don’t I handle the logistics? I’m good at that kind of thing.”
There was something about the way she said it that made me hesitate. Still, I didn’t want to come across as untrusting, especially since I was new.
“That will be helpful,” I said. “Thanks, Lora.”
“No problem! I’ll take care of everything.”
I had no idea at the time that she had her own agenda. I was just grateful for the help.
The day of the team-building event was supposed to be my chance to prove myself. But when I arrived at the venue, there was nothing. No decorations, no people, and no sign that an event was planned.
Something was wrong. As I stood there, staring at the empty space, my phone rang. It was Liam.
“Mary, where are you? Everyone’s here, waiting. You said you’d be running this thing, and now you’re not even here!”
Panic surged through me. “What!? Liam, I’m here at the location I arranged. No one’s here.”
“What location?” His voice hardened. “The whole team’s at the new place Lora said you picked.”
Lora. Of course.
It was a setup, and I had walked right into it. That was her way of making me look incompetent in front of Liam.
“I’m on my way,” I managed to say before hanging up.
I dialed Jake. “Jake, I need your help. Fast.”
“What happened?”
“Lora changed the location for the team-building without telling me. I can make it work. But it has to be my territory, not Lora’s one. I need you to bring everybody to my house.”
“Don’t worry. I’ll be there soon,” he said without hesitation.
I rushed home. I had just enough time to pull things together.
I set up tables on the terrace, lit lanterns, and made the garden feel as welcoming as possible. My nerves were on edge, but I wasn’t about to let that situation get the best of me. Not yet.
Jake arrived with the entire team packed into his van. The employees spilled out, looking confused but intrigued by the cozy setting.
The event was going better than I could have imagined. People paired up, laughing and chatting, their usual office facades dropping away. The atmosphere in my garden seemed to work its magic.
Liam, who had always been so serious and closed off, was finally loosening up. He moved from group to group, engaging in conversations, and even smiled.
At one point, I noticed Lora and Liam paired up. I edged a little closer, curious about their conversation.
“This place is really nice,” Lora said, glancing around the garden.
“Yeah, I have to admit, it’s… different from the usual corporate events.”
Lora laughed lightly. “Different is good, right? Sometimes, I think we all get stuck in our little bubbles at the office.”
Liam leaned back in his chair. “You’re right. I didn’t realize how much the team needed this. We’re always pushing for results, overlooking something important.”
I saw them both letting their guards down. For a moment, I felt a pang of satisfaction.
Maybe this event will bring them closer together in more ways than one.
I caught Lora watching me from across the garden. Even with the evening going smoothly, I had a feeling this wasn’t the end of her games.
***
As the evening wound down and people began to leave, I noticed Lora with Liam near my wardrobe. Lora glanced around casually and then reached for a stack of papers. She picked them up, flipping through the pages briefly.
“Hey, Mary,” she called out. “What’s this? Something important?”
Liam’s face turned red with anger when he noticed the papers in Lora’s hands. He grabbed the documents.
“What the hell are these doing here?” he snapped, glaring at me. “I prepared these for a meeting with investors. I left them on my desk, Mary.”
I opened my mouth to explain, but he didn’t give me a chance.
“Don’t pretend to be the innocent intern. It’s obvious now. You’re here working for the competition, aren’t you? I trusted you!”
“No, Liam, I…” I tried, but he cut me off with a dismissive wave.
“We’ll talk later. Stay out of my way for now.”
With that, he turned and left the room. I turned to Lora.
She smirked. “I didn’t think those documents were THAT important. I just wanted to teach you a lesson.”
“A lesson? You’ve ruined everything!”
Still, I believed the real Lora, the one I’d seen laughing with Liam earlier, was still in there somewhere. But at that moment, she chose to be her worst self.
I sank into a chair, feeling utterly defeated. Jake came over, resting a hand on my shoulder.
“Everything happens for a reason, Mary. Don’t give up just yet.”
When I received a message from Liam asking me to meet him the next day at the office, I didn’t know what to expect, but I decided to go there with my head held high.
The next afternoon, I arrived at the office with a heavy heart, and when I walked in, I saw both Liam and Lora there.
“Mary, I… I need to apologize,” Lora began, her voice shaking slightly. “I was the one who moved the location for the team-building event. I wanted to make you look bad, and… I also planted those documents on your desk.”
“Why?” I asked, barely able to believe what I was hearing.
Lora sighed, dropping her gaze to the floor.
“I was jealous. I thought you were drawing Liam’s attention away from me, and I let that cloud my judgment. But after the team-building event and after hearing what you said… I realized how wrong I was.”
Liam, who had been listening quietly, stepped forward.
“She’s telling the truth, Mary. And honestly, I’m thankful for what you did.” He turned to me, his tone softer. “That evening in your garden, I didn’t just feel like the boss anymore. I felt like a regular person again. I started noticing things I hadn’t in years. It was a wake-up call.”
He glanced at Lora and winked, making her blush and giggle nervously. I couldn’t help but smile. It seemed that the casual, relaxed atmosphere of that evening had done more than I could have hoped for.
Liam then turned back to me. “Mary, your methods really worked. So, from today, I’d like to make it official. You’ll be the company’s emotional recovery coach.”
I was stunned for a moment, then broke into a wide smile. “Really? I… thank you, Liam.”
Liam added, “And we’ve got more to celebrate. The morning meeting with the investors went great. So, I’m inviting the whole team to stay after work tonight for pizza. From now on, let’s make it a tradition!”
I laughed, feeling lighter than I had in weeks. The weight of uncertainty was gone. I had found my path and could focus on helping others do the same.
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