Iris was so delighted. Her daughter Eliza was all set to get married to the love of her life, Daniel. So Iris shuffled toward her future son-in-law to give him her late husband’s diamond cufflinks.
But Daniel was walking too fast, and Iris had to race her achy knees. She watched him approach Melissa, one of the bridesmaids, and whisper something to her.
Then, they both walked away from the venue toward the back of the restaurant. Curious, Iris tiptoed behind them, only to see them slipping into a bathroom together…
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Iris slightly opened the door, and her heart sank when she peered inside.
“I can’t wait anymore, babe,” Daniel tugged at Mellissa’s waist, pulling her closer.
“Not now, darling,” Melissa crooned. “If someone finds out, our plans will be ruined. Patience, babe…you just need to stay married for a little. Think of the big payday we’ll get when you divorce your boring wife. Millions of dollars worth…but now control yourself!”
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Iris leaned over and glimpsed at Daniel and Melissa on the bathroom mirror. They were locked in each others’ arms, kissing passionately.
“Not now…” Melissa muttered. “We have to get back.”
“Not until you promise to meet me at my house later,” Daniel said. “We carry on like we always have…after Eliza’s gone to work!”
Melissa giggled. Unable to see or take it anymore, Iris hurried away to warn her daughter.
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Iris hurried to the dining room, but Eliza was not there. Suddenly, the MC called for everyone’s attention.
“Before we proceed to the wedding hall, the bride has a special gift for the groom,” he announced.
Eliza appeared on the stage and took the mic from the MC.
“…I’ve waited for a long time to find a real love…and I want to dedicate this to him!”
As the band behind Eliza started playing the chords, she sang a melodious love song. A hush fell over the room as Eliza finished singing.
The guests applauded, and Daniel rushed onto the stage and hugged her. Iris knew it would crush her daughter’s heart when she learned the truth about Daniel’s scheming.
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The MC interrupted the bustling wedding scene. “And now… love birds, your first dance!”
Iris weaved through the crowd and approached her daughter. “Eliza, I have to tell you something…it’s about Daniel.”
“Is everything okay, Mom?”
“Sweetie, he is…Can we talk privately?”
“Daniel’s waiting for me. We’ll talk after the first dance, okay?”
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Melissa sidled around Iris and approached the bride. “Daniel’s waiting for you in the dance hall.”
Eliza was so gorgeous in her wedding dress as she followed Melissa to the door. Iris was shattered, and she did not have the courage to break her daughter’s heart on her big day.
So she watched in agony as the wedding proceeded. There was nothing she could do to bring Daniel and Melissa’s affair to light. There was only one way to expose him: Iris had to ensure Eliza caught him red-handed.
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Eliza and Daniel drove Iris to the airport the following Monday to catch an early flight back home. Iris was disgusted to watch Daniel acting so lovey-dovey with Eliza.
Iris hugged Eliza goodbye before heading to the boarding lounge. Around 15 minutes later, she called a cab and returned to Eliza’s house.
Iris knew Melissa and Daniel would meet after Eliza went to work, and she decided to catch them.
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When Iris arrived at Eliza’s house, she saw Melissa’s car parked in the driveway. She quickly called Eliza.
“Sweetie, my flight was canceled,” Iris told her daughter. “I hailed a taxi to your place…I’m feeling dizzy…can you meet me there?”
“Oh, God, Mom! I’m busy…but don’t worry. I’ll call Daniel and ask him, alright?”
“No, don’t call him. I want you to come here…please, it’s important.”
Eliza sighed. “Fine…I’m coming.”
Iris hung up and crept up to the window.
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She peered through the glass pane and saw nothing strange at first. Then, the door swung open as Daniel and Melissa entered the room, kissing each other.
He set her down, and the pair started making out on the couch.
Iris glanced at the street, but there was still no sign of Eliza. She peeked through the window and quickly looked away in disgust, seeing how things inside had heated up.
Iris stood by the curb, praying for her daughter to be there soon. Five minutes later, Eliza pulled up.
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“Mom, are you okay?” Eliza approached Iris.
“No, I’m not. Your husband and that Melissa. They’re in there…fooling around.”
“WHAT?” Eliza was shocked.
“I’m sorry I didn’t tell you earlier. I overheard them on your wedding day…”
“You overheard what?”
“They are having an affair…and have planned to swindle you and take your money when Daniel leaves you,” Iris replied as Eliza froze.
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“Daniel and Melissa?” Eliza’s breath shuddered. “He’s always been nice to me…how did I not have a clue about this affair?”
“They’re in there right now…” Iris pointed to the door. “Why don’t you go see with your own eyes?”
Eliza nodded curtly and wiped her tears. She angrily marched to the front door, and Iris was right behind her.
They tiptoed to the living room. The sound of Daniel and Melissa giggling behind the couch echoed in the hallway.
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“What the hell’s going on here?” she yelled.
Iris rushed in but was caught off-guard by the sight before her shocked eyes. It didn’t make any sense.
Just mere minutes ago, when she looked through the window, Daniel and Melissa were engrossed in their intimate moment. But now, they were casually seated on the sofa like nothing had happened.
“Eliza? What do you mean?” Daniel replied. “Melissa and I were discussing work…Didn’t I tell you I’d be working from home this week?”
“You LIAR!” Iris pointed at Daniel. “I saw the both of you doing ‘things’ on that sofa…you must’ve seen us coming and gotten dressed.”
“Gotten dressed?” Melissa frowned. “Jesus…you think Daniel and I are having…an affair?”
“Just shut up,” Eliza snapped. “My mother saw you two in the bathroom on our wedding day…and now, in our house. You were so insistent on sharing our assets and money when we got married. And now I know why…Daniel, you married me for my money.’
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“That’s not true!” Daniel denied the allegation. “Being married means sharing everything. What’s mine is yours, Eliza. I’m sorry your mother thinks so cheap of me…but she’s mistaken. Melissa and I are friends and business partners. I thought you… trusted me.”
“I did, Daniel. But why would my Mom lie to me? I just…I just don’t understand.”
“Eliza, I love you…and I can prove it,” Daniel took Eliza’s hand.
He reached into his pocket and pulled out a bunch of keys.
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“See this?” He dropped the keys into Eliza’s palm. “I made the final payment for our new home yesterday. Melissa was here to help me with an idea to surprise you. But everything’s ruined now.”
“He’s lying, Eliza,” Iris insisted as she watched Eliza lift the keys with her trembling fingers.
But Eliza didn’t seem to hear. “You were going to surprise me?” she whispered.
“Yes! I wanted to drive you there in a blindfold…walk you onto the lawn…and show you our dream home. But I guess I’ll be staying there alone now. There’s no point in sharing my life with a woman who doesn’t trust me.”
Daniel snatched the keys from Eliza and stormed to their bedroom.
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“Wait, you can’t just leave me like this,” Eliza ran after Daniel. “I don’t doubt you…but I know Mom would never tell me something like this unless it’s true.”
Daniel stopped and turned around. “I don’t know what your Mom saw and heard. I’ve offered you proof. If you still don’t believe me, I don’t think this marriage can last.”
“I trust you…that’s why it hurts so much to think of you cheating on me. I love you, Daniel…”
“I love you too,” Daniel said. “I don’t understand what went wrong to make it easy for you to believe such awful things about me. If you truly believe that I’ve been unfaithful to you, tell me now. I’ll pack my things and leave you…forever.”
“I trust you! Please forgive me,” Eliza hugged Daniel as Iris couldn’t believe it.
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Iris’s heart raced in her chest. It was all too much for her. Her knees gave way as a dull pain spread through her chest. The last thing Iris heard was the piercing shrill of ambulance sirens.
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Iris was rushed to the hospital, where the doctors informed her she’d had a heart attack.
“You scared me, Mom…I’m glad you’re okay,” Eliza visited Iris and hugged her.
“I’ll feel a lot better if you tell me that you’ve kicked that fraudster and his mistress out.”
Eliza rolled her eyes. “Mom, please don’t talk about my husband like that. You’ve mistaken things about him…”
“Wake up, Eliza. He’s just using you. All that nonsense about buying a house was his way of guilt-tripping you into staying.”
“But it proves he loves me. Why would he want me to stay if he was only after my money?”
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“Why don’t you check your prenup, Eliza?” Iris snapped. “Good Lord, how do I make you understand that your husband is a gold-digger?”
“Mom, please stop this. Let’s not assume things and punish Daniel for something he’s never done.”
“Fine then,” Iris said. “If you don’t want to open your eyes and see the reality, then things are going to be different from now on.”
“What do you mean, Mom?”
Iris reached for her phone and dialed a number.
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“Hello, Mr. Simms…I’m calling you about my will,” Iris told her lawyer. “I want to make an urgent change. I’ve decided to leave all my wealth to charity. My daughter will not inherit a dime. And I want you to freeze her bank account. Yes…immediately. Thank you.”
“What?” Eliza stood shocked. “You can’t be serious.”
“I’m sorry, Eliza, but you left me with no choice. I don’t want our family’s hard-earned money being palmed to a gold-digger using you.”
“Fine!” Eliza yelled. “If you’re cutting me off your will, so be it. I don’t want to see you again.”
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The following few weeks were the most challenging days for Iris. She underwent heart surgery and was released from the hospital after a long recovery period.
She felt very lonely and even tried calling Eliza. But her daughter never answered, and Iris was heartbroken. She called her every day and sent her text messages.
Iris wasn’t surprised when there was no reply. But one day, her doorbell rang. When Iris opened the door, she froze in disbelief.
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“Eliza?!” Iris teared up as a wave of emotions washed over her. “Sweetie…”
Iris stopped talking when Eliza looked at her with red, puffy eyes.
“It’s Daniel, isn’t it?” She wrapped her arms around Eliza’s shoulders and led her inside.
“I’m sorry, Mom…I should’ve listened to you,” Eliza sobbed. “You were right!”
Iris hugged Eliza. She hated seeing her daughter so heartbroken but was glad she was finally free from that money-grubber, Daniel.
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Ally bursts into the church and interrupts the bride, who is about to finish saying her wedding vow. Ally introduces herself as the groom’s ex-girlfriend and accuses him of being a con man.
This piece is inspired by stories from the everyday lives of our readers and written by a professional writer. Any resemblance to actual names or locations is purely coincidental. All images are for illustration purposes only. Share your story with us; maybe it will change someone’s life.
My Son Chose to Live with His Stepmom, What I Did Next Changed Everything for Our Family — Story of the Day
I fought to keep my place in my son’s heart, but his stepmom’s perfect world loomed over me. One Christmas, under the same roof, the silent battle between us erupted, forcing me to face the question I feared most: Was I losing him forever?
After my divorce, I became a single mother to my 7-year-old son, Austin, and our cozy house in the quiet suburbs of Minnesota was both my refuge and a constant reminder of what I’d lost.
The walls, once alive with laughter and shared meals, seemed to echo with silence, especially as Thanksgiving approached. I stared at our old dining table, picturing the feast we used to have.
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But that year, there were no funds for turkeys or pies, no energy for decorating. The weight of unpaid bills and constant exhaustion pressed down on me like a heavy fog.
Austin, with his messy blond hair and wide, hopeful eyes, didn’t understand the struggles that kept me awake at night.
“Mom, can we have a Thanksgiving dinner this year? You know, with turkey and mashed potatoes?” he asked one morning.
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“I’ll see what I can do, sweetie,” I replied, knowing full well there was nothing I could do.
Then my ex-husband, Roy, called.
“Emma, let me help. I can send some money or whatever you need,” he said generously.
“No, Roy,” I snapped, cutting him off. “I’ve got it under control.”
But I didn’t. The bills piled higher, and my health deteriorated under the stress. When Roy suggested that Austin spend Thanksgiving with him and his new wife, Jill, I finally gave in.
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Jill, with her polished manners and endless patience, felt like the opposite of me. I hated her.
But I couldn’t ignore the truth. Austin deserved more than what I could give him right now, on winter holidays, when every child should be happy.
“Just until I get back on my feet,” I said, forcing steadiness into my voice. “It’s not forever.”
But watching Austin pack his things that night was one of the hardest moments of my life.
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***
Thanksgiving eve arrived, and the air outside was sharp with the cold of an approaching winter. Inside Roy and Jill’s house, the warmth was almost suffocating.
Jill had greeted me with her usual radiant smile. Her invitation had caught me off guard a week before. And though my pride screamed to refuse, a quieter voice told me I needed to go for Austin’s sake.
Their dining room was breathtaking. The table was covered with a crisp white cloth and decorated with golden candles and an arrangement of autumn leaves. Plates gleamed, and every fork and knife was perfectly placed.
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“Emma, you made it!” Jill’s voice carried a sweetness that made my chest tighten. “I hope you don’t mind—I went a little overboard this year.”
I forced a polite laugh. “It looks… beautiful.”
Austin rushed into the room, his face lighting up. “Mom! Did you see the turkey? It’s huge! And Jill made these cranberry tarts—they’re amazing!”
“That sounds great, sweetheart.”
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Jill brushed past me with a plate in hand, her hair styled so perfectly it seemed immune to gravity. Her apron somehow made her look glamorous instead of ordinary.
“Austin helped me a little in the kitchen,” she said, glancing at me with a touch of triumph. “He’s quite the helper.”
“Really?” I asked, my voice faltering. “That’s… nice.”
Jill moved effortlessly, pouring wine for Roy, serving the kids, and managing to crack jokes that made everyone laugh. Meanwhile, I sat silently, unsure where to place my hands or how to join in.
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When the meal was over, Jill handed Austin the honor of starting the family tradition of sharing gratitude.
“I’m thankful for Dad,” he began, glancing at Roy, who gave him a proud nod. “And I’m thankful for Jill. She makes the best desserts and got me that video game I wanted. And…” His voice trailed off before he added, “I want to live here. With Dad and Jill. All the time.”
My throat tightened, and I gripped the edge of the chair to keep steady.
“Austin,” I managed to say. “You don’t mean that.”
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“I do, Mom,” he replied, avoiding my eyes. “It’s just… easier here.”
For a split second, I caught Jill’s gaze.
Was that a flicker of satisfaction? Or was I imagining it?
Either way, it felt like the walls were closing in.
I stood by the window, staring out at the icy darkness while the voices behind me blurred.
Am I really losing my son? No! I have to fight for him!
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***
The first morning of my new routine started in darkness, the chill of pre-dawn air biting at my face as I jogged through the empty streets. The neighborhood, usually bustling with life, was eerily silent, save for the rhythmic sound of my sneakers hitting the pavement.
Each step felt like a race against Jill’s perfect life that seemed to overshadow everything I worked so hard to hold onto.
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“Morning, Emma!” Mrs. Swanson called out. She stood on her porch, a steaming mug of tea cradled in her hands, her silver hair catching the glow of the porch light.
“Morning,” I replied, forcing a smile.
Her eyes lingered on me. I could almost hear the questions she didn’t ask.
What are you doing? Can you really keep this up?
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I didn’t have answers, but I knew I had to try. I had to prove that I could still be the mom Austin deserved, even if it meant working myself to the bone.
My days blurred together in a haze of dishwater and cleaning supplies. My first job was at a diner, where my hands were perpetually soaked in hot, soapy water as I scrubbed plates.
“Emma, you missed a spot,” my manager barked.
“Sorry,” I mumbled, quickly rinsing the plate again.
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When my shift ended, I rushed to my second job at an office building. The hum of the vacuum filled the empty hallways as I moved from desk to desk, collecting discarded coffee cups and wiping down surfaces.
The work was exhausting, but I kept my focus sharp.
***
One evening, after nearly a month of grueling work, I dragged myself home, my legs barely carrying me. I sat at the kitchen table, staring at the humble bowl of oatmeal and a few carrots I’d picked from the garden.
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My body ached from endless shifts, but my mind was focused on the approaching holiday. Christmas was my goal, my reason to keep going.
The LEGO set Austin had been dreaming of was tucked away in my closet, carefully wrapped in shiny paper. It had cost me every spare penny, but I finally bought it. My phone buzzed, it was Austin.
“Hi, sweetheart!” I answered.
“Hi, Mom.” His voice sounded muffled like he was tucked under his blankets. “I just wanted to say goodnight.”
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“Goodnight already? It’s not that late,” I teased gently, hoping to stretch the conversation just a little longer. “So, what’s new? Are you excited for Christmas?”
“Yeah, kind of. Jill’s already putting up decorations. She’s really into it.”
“That’s nice. But guess what? I’ve been decorating, too. I got the tree up, strung the lights, and even put out all our old ornaments.”
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“Wait… really?” he asked, his voice lighting up with surprise. “Like, the ornaments we used to hang together? The ones with the little snowmen?”
“All of them. And I even made the living room look just like it used to. You know, cozy and warm, like in the good old days.”
“Wow… that’s so cool, Mom. I didn’t think you’d do all that.”
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“Of course I did. You’re my son, Austin. I want us to have Christmas together, just like we always used to. Will you come? I’d love to have you here.”
There was a pause. “I really want to, Mom. But… can Dad and Jill come too? I mean, they’ve been planning stuff, and I don’t want to leave them out.”
I felt my stomach tighten, but I pushed the feeling aside. His happiness mattered more than my pride.
“If that’s what it takes to have you here, of course they can come. The more, the merrier.”
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“Really? That’s awesome, Mom!”
“I can’t wait to see you. Goodnight, Austin. Sweet dreams.”
“Goodnight, Mom.”
I sat there with the phone still in my hand, glancing at the glowing lights of the living room.
“This will show him. He’ll see how much I care.”
That Christmas had to be the one. I was ready to win my son back.
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***
When Roy, Austin, and Jill arrived, the house glowed with twinkling lights. The Christmas tree’s branches were heavy with ornaments Austin and I had collected over the years. I had poured everything into creating a warm, festive home.
“Wow, Mom,” Austin said, his eyes wide as he looked around. “It looks amazing!”
“I’m so glad you like it, sweetheart.”
We settled in for dinner, and I watched Austin laugh and talk. He seemed genuinely happy. When it was time to open presents, my nerves kicked in. I couldn’t wait to see his reaction to the gift I had worked so hard to buy.
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Austin tore into Jill’s gift first. “The LEGO set! It’s exactly what I wanted!”
I stared at the box in his hands. It was the same set I had struggled to afford. The room spun.
I reached for the edge of the table to steady myself, but instead, the tablecloth slipped from my grasp, sending plates and food crashing to the floor.
The last thing I heard before everything went black was Austin shouting, “Mom!”
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***
When I came to, paramedics were hovering over me.
“You need to eat better and rest more,” one of them said as they adjusted the IV in my arm.
“I’ll be fine,” I whispered, but the embarrassment was overwhelming.
How could I let this happen?
When I realized I couldn’t afford the ambulance bill, shame washed over me, but Roy stepped forward.
“I’ve got it,” he said quietly, leaving no room for argument.
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Later, after everyone had calmed down, I broke. Tears streamed down my face as Roy sat beside me. I confessed everything—how exhausted I was, how hard I had tried to prove myself, and how much I missed Austin.
“Emma, you don’t have to do this alone. Because we’re both Austin’s parents. Accepting help isn’t a weakness.”
Jill also surprised me by talking to me. “I grew up in a blended family. My stepmom became my biggest support. I don’t want to replace you, Emma. I just want to be part of Austin’s life.”
Austin stayed close to me the rest of the evening, squeezing my hand and whispering, “I miss you, Mom. I miss us.”
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***
We decided together not to divide him anymore. Austin could always have his home with me. We even exchanged Jill’s duplicate gift for a different LEGO set Austin wanted.
That Christmas, we celebrated as a family, imperfect but together. It wasn’t the Christmas I had planned, but it was the one we all needed.
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If you enjoyed this story, read this one: On Thanksgiving Eve, a single moment unraveled everything I thought I knew about love, family, and the future I’d planned. One unexpected encounter forced me to face a choice I never saw coming.
This piece is inspired by stories from the everyday lives of our readers and written by a professional writer. Any resemblance to actual names or locations is purely coincidental. All images are for illustration purposes only. Share your story with us; maybe it will change someone’s life.
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