Wedding Called Off A Day Before, A Hidden Betrayal

It was during the second year of our relationship that we made the decision to get married. We began planning and purchasing the items that couples typically acquire when they intend to spend their lives together. However, it wasn't long before I lost my job.

Finding a new job became my top priority, overshadowing our wedding preparations. I must admit, my unemployment sometimes left me feeling uncertain, but I was confident that once I secured a job, we would get married.

She was understanding and offered her support in various ways. At one point, she suggested, “I have some money; let’s use that for the wedding, but promise me you’ll pay me back as soon as you’re back on your feet.”

I hesitated at the idea because I wasn’t sure when I would regain my stability. So, I replied, “We’re not going anywhere, and we’re not getting any older either. Let’s wait and ensure we have a solid future before taking the next step.”

It was challenging, but soon I found a new job. While it didn’t pay well, it was better than nothing. I worked hard, and with her support, we began to piece together our plans for marriage once more.

We completed the necessary preparations, gathered the list of items for the wedding ceremony, and eventually set a date. We opted for a beautiful traditional wedding followed by a court signing.

Two weeks before the traditional wedding, she fell ill. She frequently visited the hospital and became increasingly withdrawn. At one point, I questioned whether she could go through with the marriage and suggested postponing it, but she reassured me that everything would be fine.

The day before the wedding, I couldn’t see her. I was busy running around, making arrangements to welcome our guests the next day. I tried to call her in the evening, but something came up, and we couldn’t meet.

Later that night, we spoke at length to confirm we were both ready. I told her, “I can’t wait to finally say ‘I do’ to you.” She giggled and responded with something I can’t recall.

Family and friends gathered to witness the ceremony, but something felt off. The bride’s mother was absent. Eventually, her father left to fetch her and took an unusually long time to return. I sensed something was wrong but couldn’t pinpoint what it was.

After nearly an hour, her father returned and called my parents and the head of the family aside. They engaged in a closed discussion for about fifteen minutes, and I could see anger, confusion, and sadness on my family’s faces. My mother glanced at me, and I began to feel anxious. My father stepped out and signaled for me to follow him.

He said, “The woman has changed her mind. She no longer wants to go through with the marriage due to some issues they can’t explain right now.”

I felt as if my heart would burst. Confusion and embarrassment washed over me, and I wished I could vanish. I didn’t want to break down in front of our guests. Summoning my strength, I left the scene. I have no idea what happened next or what was said to the guests, but they began to leave in groups, talking loudly among themselves.

It felt like a surreal movie or a nonsensical dream. Her phone was off, and her parents wouldn’t tell me where she was. I held my phone all night, hoping she would call, but there was no call, no sign of her.

The next day, she came to see me with her father, who delivered the news: “We are sorry for what happened yesterday. The embarrassment was significant for both of us, but nothing happens without a reason. Our daughter is pregnant, and the truth is, you are not the father.”

I was thrust back into the pain and heartbreak. “Pregnant? And I’m not the father?” I looked into her eyes and asked, “So what happened? Who is responsible?”

With her gaze fixed on the floor, she replied, “I can’t tell you who or what happened, but I’m sorry for how things turned out. I wanted to go through with the marriage, but I couldn’t bear the guilt of making you the father of someone else’s child.”

Somehow, I understood her, but I felt betrayed and less of a man. I sought answers from those close to her and her family and discovered who had gotten her pregnant and how it all unfolded.

She had been seeing a married man while we were together. When she realized she was pregnant, she knew I couldn’t be responsible since we hadn’t been intimate for the three months leading up to our wedding. She attempted to terminate the pregnancy but faced complications that prevented her from doing so.

So many unanswered questions arose after uncovering the truth, but there was nothing I could do. I had to move on with my life and be grateful for everything that transpired. It has made me stronger and wiser.

—Eric,
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