Sophie was enjoying a delightful evening with family when her grandmother, Evelyn, decided to drop a bombshell. Evelyn’s announcement went beyond the ordinary. To get her inheritance, Sophie needed to get married within a month—in time for Evelyn’s upcoming birthday!
The living room was noisy as the whole family gathered at Evelyn’s large, old-fashioned house. With her pink clothes, she was always a vibrant character. For years, her energy was unmatched.
“Everyone, I need your attention!” Evelyn’s voice rang out, commanding silence. Her eyes sparkled as she surveyed her gathered relatives. The chatter ceased, and all eyes turned to her.
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“Sophie,” Evelyn began, her gaze fixed on her granddaughter, who sat uncomfortably under her family’s eyes.
“You have dedicated your life to your career, which is commendable. But you’ve paid a price by neglecting our cherished family values.”
Sophie shifted in her seat, her expression one of slight annoyance. She knew this conversation was coming. Her grandmother’s values were from a different time, after all.
Evelyn continued, “I stand before you as the last guardian of our family’s traditions, and it pains me to see them so easily cast aside.” Her words hung heavily in the air: “That is why I have decided, unless Sophie can find a husband by the time I turn 70 next month, she will not be included in my will.”
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Sophie’s face turned pale, eyes wide in shock as the room fell eerily silent.
“Grandma, you can’t be serious,” she murmured, her voice barely above a whisper, but Evelyn’s face remained resolute.
“I am utterly serious, Sophie,” Evelyn responded sternly. “I cannot pass on my legacy to someone who shows no interest in continuing our family line.”
Her voice was firm, leaving no room for negotiation.
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Sophie’s frustration boiled over as she stood up abruptly, her chair scraping loudly against the floor.
“I’ve spent years building my career, investing time and energy to become who I am today,” she protested, her voice rising with each word. “And now, just because I haven’t married, you want to cut me off from the inheritance? That’s not fair!”
Evelyn looked up at her granddaughter, her expression unyielding.
“Life is about choices, Sophie. You chose your path, and now I am choosing mine.”
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Stung by the harsh reality of her grandmother’s words, Sophie felt a surge of emotion. She stormed out of the room, slamming the door behind her with a loud bang that echoed through the quiet house. She sat in her car, crying out in the night silence.
***
Sophie approached her grandmother’s challenge like another task at work, thus tackling it with due diligence.
She threw herself into the dating world, setting up profiles on several online dating sites, attending speed dating events, and even letting her friends set her up on blind dates. However, her experiences ranged from bizarre to downright disastrous.
One evening, she met Jason, who seemed charming at first. As they sat in a cozy restaurant, Jason leaned in.
“Do you know that the moon landing was staged?” he whispered conspiratorially. Sophie choked on her drink, her eyebrows raised in disbelief. The date went downhill as Jason delved deeper into his conspiracy theories.
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Then she met Peter, who talked at length about his collection of exotic reptiles.
“And here’s a photo of my pets, Monty and Tweedy!” he exclaimed, showing Sophie pictures of his cat and dog on his shelf. Sophie smiled politely, her interest waning by the second.
Each date left Sophie more disillusioned. During a date at a quaint coffee shop, she slipped into managerial mode, discussing revenue streams and market dynamics, completely missing her date’s glazed-over expression.
These failed attempts and each awkward goodbye underscored her growing despair. She was utterly unprepared for this unpredictable world of dating.
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***
Back at the office, Sophie was scrolling through her phone, her latest date yet another letdown. She sighed and turned to Steven, her reliable assistant, who was busy organizing files.
“Steven, can we talk?” Sophie’s tone was serious.
“Sure, what’s up?” Steven asked, attentive.
Sophie hesitated, then blurted out, “I need a huge favor. I want you to pretend to be my boyfriend for a week.”
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She rushed on, “I’ll pay you, of course.”
Steven blinked, taken aback. “Pretend to be your boyfriend? Sophie, are you sure about this?”
“It’s just a week to get my grandmother off my back,” Sophie explained hastily. “We can call it off right after her birthday party.”
Seeing her distress, Steven agreed, albeit reluctantly. “Okay, I’ll do it. But let’s make it believable, at least.”
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They started spending more time together, exchanging basic information like favorite foods and hobbies.
Sophie, ever the perfectionist, turned their casual chats into intense interrogations about Steven’s background, his views on marriage, and even his credit score.
Realizing they needed a different approach, Steven suggested, “How about we spend this weekend at my cousin’s lake house? Just relax, be ourselves. It might help us be more convincing.”
Sophie agreed to Steven’s suggestion.
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***
“Okay, Steven, how hard can this be?” Sophie asked with a laugh, tying an apron around her waist as they stood in the small, rustic kitchen of the lake house. They were both attempting to cook dinner, an activity neither was exceptionally skilled at.
“According to my cousin, just throw everything in the pot and hope for the best,” Steven replied, chopping vegetables.
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The pot simmered on the stove while they tried their luck fishing by the lake. Standing side by side with fishing rods, they quickly realized they needed more talent for it. After several failed attempts, Sophie burst out laughing. “Why are we so bad at this?”
“It’s about spending time together, isn’t it?” Steven smiled in answer.
As night fell, they sat by a small fire pit, wrapped in warm blankets and sharing stories of their childhoods.
“You know, I used to think being strong meant doing everything alone,” Sophie confessed, her voice soft against the crackling of the fire. “But this… this is nice. Sharing moments, I mean.”
Steven nodded, passing her a marshmallow to roast.
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“Yeah, life’s better with good company. Even if it’s just roasting marshmallows and failing at fishing.”
By the end of the weekend, as they packed up to leave, Sophie realized she enjoyed Steven’s company far beyond the confines of their initial agreement.
“It’s strange,” Sophie mused as they drove back, “how a weekend can change so much.”
The atmosphere on their way home was warm and relaxed. Steven finally felt comfortable in the friendly setting and opened up about his dreams.
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“You know, I’ve been thinking a lot lately,” he started, navigating the winding road. “This weekend helped me realize how much I want to pursue my dreams. I’ve always wanted to start my own business. Maybe a bakery or a café.”
Despite the warmth of their shared weekend, her initial self-interest shadowed her reaction. She remained silent, keeping her concerns to herself, not wanting to discourage him, and dreading the potential disruption to her plans.
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***
Sophie and Steven arrived at Evelyn’s elegant home, where Evelyn had organized a formal dinner to meet Steven, whom she had heard much about. The house was aglow with soft lights, and a gentle aroma of roasted meats and seasoned vegetables filled the air.
As they walked in, Evelyn greeted them with a beaming smile.
“Steven, I’m so pleased to meet you at last,” she exclaimed, offering a hand that Steven shook warmly.
“Thank you, Mrs. Johnson. It’s an honor to be here,” Steven responded, his voice carrying genuine respect.
Steven was the epitome of charm and grace during the dinner, effortlessly engaging with other guests and sharing amusing anecdotes that brought smiles.
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Sophie, however, seemed distant. Despite the cozy atmosphere, her interactions with Steven were cold and formal, contrasting with the warmth they had shared over their weekend getaway.
After dinner, Evelyn noticed their tension as they retreated to the living room for dessert. She decided to find out what was going on.
“Sophie tells me you two had a wonderful weekend at the lake house, Steven. It must have been quite the getaway.” Her eyes twinkled with curiosity.
Steven glanced at Sophie, a hint of warmth in his expression.
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“Yes, it was amazing. We got to know each other beyond work.”
Sophie’s response was curt, almost dismissive. “It was a nice break,” she said, avoiding Steven’s eyes.
Sophie’s behavior puzzled Evelyn when Steven’s earnestness spoke volumes. As he excused himself to fetch some appetizers, Evelyn paused to talk privately with Sophie.
“Sophie, dear, what’s going on? I can see Steven cares deeply. Don’t play with his feelings,” Evelyn whispered, her voice stern yet concerned.
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Sophie masked her surprise with a feigned smile.
“Grandma, everything is fine. Steven and I are pleased. He’s even thinking about proposing soon,” she lied, hoping to appease her grandmother.
Evelyn, however, was only partially convinced. She nodded slowly, her doubts quietly mounting.
At that very moment, Steven reappeared, holding a plate of snacks. His timing was such that he likely overheard the conversation. His demeanor changed for the rest of the evening; he became quieter and more reserved.
When it was time to say goodbye, he nodded to Sophie and left without a word, his silence heavy with unspoken thoughts.
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***
The following day, the office felt colder and emptier. Sophie soon discovered why: Steven had resigned. He came to collect his belongings.
“I thought we were getting closer, Steven. What happened?” Sophie asked in confusion.
Steven sighed, his frustration evident.
“After the weekend, I thought we had something real. But you shut down and returned to treating me just as an assistant.”
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Sophie looked away, unable to meet his gaze.
“I’m sorry, Steven. I just… I got scared.”
Steven shook his head, his decision firm.
“I need more than this, Sophie. And I can’t accept your money for the charade.”
He picked up his box, his shoulders set as he walked away, leaving Sophie alone with her regrets.
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***
Sophie spent the morning before Evelyn’s birthday party lost in thought, meticulously choosing her outfit, each piece selected to reflect a blend of respect and celebration.
As she dressed, her mind was awash with memories of Steven—their weekend at the lake, the arguments, the confessions, and finally, his resignation. The intensity of her feelings surprised her; she hadn’t realized just how deeply she had fallen for him until he was gone.
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When Sophie arrived at the party, her heart skipped a beat when she spotted Steven mingling among the guests. Ever the astute matriarch, Evelyn, had extended the invitation to Steven, a gesture that spoke volumes of her fondness for him.
Sophie’s nervousness was palpable as she approached him, her palms sweaty, her heart pounding.
“Steven,” she began, shaky but sincere, “I owe you a huge apology.” She took a deep breath, gathering her courage.
“The truth is, I missed you terribly. But it’s more than that. Our pretending… it turned into something real for me. I feel for you, genuinely and deeply. I’m so sorry for all the deception—it started about my grandmother’s will, but it became about so much more.”
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Steven’s expression, initially guarded, softened as he listened to her words.
“Sophie,” he replied gently, “I forgive you. I was part of the charade, too, remember? I agreed because… well because I’ve had feelings for you for quite a while. I thought this might allow us to explore if something could be real between us.”
Evelyn had been quietly observing their moment of reconciliation until she chose to join them, her approach soft yet deliberate. She took a seat opposite Sophie, her eyes glinting with wisdom and a bit of mischief.
“Sophie, you’ve finally not disappointed me,” Evelyn said, a warm smile spreading across her face. “You’ve come to realize what truly matters. That’s why I’ll leave the inheritance to you and whatever family you build.”
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Her voice grew tender, “I never intended to follow through if you married just to meet the will’s conditions. I know you well enough, my dear. It wouldn’t have been right. All this was a test, a push to get you to look beyond your career achievements.”
Before the conversation could dip into awkward silence, Steven, ever the peacemaker, made a light-hearted announcement.
“And speaking of new beginnings, I’ve opened my own bakery.” His face lit up with pride.
“I’ve also baked a special birthday cake for tonight. It would mean a lot to me if everyone could come by the bakery sometime to enjoy some coffee and cake.”
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The evening unfolded with a celebratory air, the earlier tensions dissolving into laughter and shared stories. Friends and family gathered around, their conversations filled with admiration for Steven’s culinary skills and warm wishes for Evelyn’s continued health and happiness.
Evelyn watched the young couple, her heart full, knowing her unconventional method had ultimately led her granddaughter to reassess her priorities and embrace a future where personal connections held more weight than professional achievements.
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If you enjoyed this story, read this one: Corinne was at a speed dating event. Frustrated by her failed relationships, she watched how men boasted about their material worlds one by one. But the next candidate caught her attention. He was interested in Corinne’s world. The intrigue grew when the stranger offered her to travel together.
My Fiancé Cheated on Me, and My Family Helped Hide It — Story of the Day
I thought my wedding rehearsal dinner would be a joyful celebration, but it turned into a night of shocking revelations. I discovered my fiancé’s betrayal and my family’s role in keeping it a secret. As the truth unfolded, everything I knew about love and loyalty was shattered.
I watched as my fiancé Andy got ready to leave again. Lately, he was always disappearing somewhere. I couldn’t help but feel uneasy.
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“Do you really have to go?” I asked, trying to keep my voice calm.
“Yes, it’s for work. I can’t refuse,” Andy replied, not meeting my eyes.
“You seem to be going out for work quite often these days,” I said, trying to sound casual.
Andy stopped what he was doing and looked at me. “What are you implying?” he asked, a hint of defensiveness in his voice.
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“Nothing,” I replied quickly. “Just stating a fact.”
But inside, I felt a growing suspicion. Something didn’t feel right.
Andy grabbed his things and went into the bathroom. I couldn’t shake the feeling that he was cheating on me. He was always texting someone, going somewhere, and having constant meetings.
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My heart sank every time he left without much explanation. Suddenly, his phone received a message. I glanced at the bathroom door, hearing the shower turn on. The sound of running water filled the apartment. This was my chance.
I knew it was wrong, and I had never done it before, but I couldn’t live with the thought that he was cheating on me. My hands trembled as I picked up his phone. Andy didn’t know that I knew his phone password. Now, it played into my hands. I unlocked his phone and quickly looked at the source of the message.
It was a group chat named “Andy and Kira.” My heart skipped a beat. Kira was my best friend, and I didn’t understand what this was all about. My mind raced with questions, and I needed answers.
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I looked at who was in the chat. Andy, Kira, my mom, my sister, and my brother. What the…?! My heart pounded in my chest. I scrolled to the top of the chat and saw that it was created eight months ago. The first message was from Andy.
@Andy:
I’m sorry you had to find out about Kira and me like this. But I can’t let Erin find out. I love them both and still want to marry Erin…
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My mom was upset at first. She said Andy couldn’t treat me like this, but after a few days, a message came from her.
@Clarissa:
Do you really love Kira?
@Andy:
Yes.
Then my brother Scott and my sister Maria joined in.
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@Scott:
Maybe you should try an open relationship.
@Maria:
Yes, it’s very popular now. Many couples live like this.
@Andy:
We’ve been together too long. Erin would never agree to an open relationship.
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@Clarissa:
Then we will help you. We will help you hide this relationship until you are ready to talk to Erin.
@Andy:
Thank you, guys! I really appreciate it.
I couldn’t believe what I was seeing. How could my family have the audacity to suggest this to my fiancé and hide it from me for so long? I scrolled through the chat and took numerous screenshots.
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I found out that Kira went on a trip with my family and Andy when I got sick and couldn’t go. What broke my heart the most wasn’t that Andy was cheating but that my mom was so calm about it and even supported him.
I didn’t understand how she could do this; I was her child, not Andy. I took screenshots of the entire chat, including the one between Andy and Kira, which had quite a few provocative photos from both of them, then sent them to myself and deleted them from Andy’s phone so he wouldn’t notice.
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When Andy came out of the shower, I tried to act normal, even though I wanted to punch him. I watched him walk around the room, getting dressed, oblivious to the storm brewing inside me.
My heart pounded in my chest, and I felt a mix of anger and betrayal. He smiled at me, completely unaware.
Andy got ready, and I saw him to the door. I tried to stay calm, even though every fiber of my being wanted to confront him right then and there.
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“Goodbye, honey, I love you,” he said and kissed me on the cheek. I felt like tearing my skin off at that moment.
“Me too,” I replied, trying not to show that something was wrong.
For a few days, I couldn’t find peace, and I was constantly nauseous from nerves. Andy started to worry a lot and even bought me a pregnancy test, which I wanted to throw in his face; the last thing I needed was to get pregnant by this jerk. Every time I saw him, my anger and frustration grew.
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But finally, the day of the rehearsal dinner arrived, and I was ready to reveal what Andy and my family had done. I was very nervous, feeling like my whole body was shaking.
Andy said he needed to go somewhere before dinner. I held back from saying, “To your lover, Kira?” But I was glad he was going; I didn’t want to see him or be in the same room with him.
I gathered all the screenshots and set them on a timer to send out at 5:30 p.m., right during the rehearsal dinner. They would be sent to Kira’s family, my family, Andy’s family, and all our friends. I knew it would be explosive, but it was the only way to make sure everyone knew the truth.
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When I arrived at the restaurant, my mom and her husband were already there. She hugged me, and it felt like I was going to throw up. I quickly hugged her back to avoid suspicion.
“You have no idea how happy I am for you and Andy,” my mom said, her voice full of excitement.
“Yes, me too,” I replied, forcing a smile. It was all I could muster.
The restaurant was beautifully decorated, and everyone seemed so happy. It made me sick to see them all so cheerful, knowing the betrayal that lay beneath the surface.
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I spotted Kira, laughing with some of our friends. She looked so carefree, as if she hadn’t been sneaking around with my fiancé.
As more guests arrived, my anxiety grew. I kept glancing at my watch, counting down the minutes until 5:30 p.m. Andy finally showed up, acting as if nothing was wrong, greeting everyone with a big smile.
The restaurant buzzed with laughter and conversation. When all the guests had gathered, Andy stood up to give a toast. He cleared his throat, drawing everyone’s attention.
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“Thank you all for coming today,” Andy began. “I can’t express how much I love Erin and how happy I am that our families can now unite into one big family.”
How dare he say that? I felt my stomach churn. How could he have the audacity to make this speech? But I smiled and nodded, keeping up the act. Kira sat there, grinning as if she hadn’t betrayed me.
Andy continued his speech. “From the moment we first met, I knew Erin was the love of my life. I want to spend every minute with her. Our first date—”
He couldn’t finish because everyone’s phones started ringing simultaneously. People looked around in confusion, checking their screens.
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“Did you prepare a surprise for us?” my mom asked, her eyes bright with curiosity.
“Something like that, but I’m not sure you’ll like it,” I replied with a forced smile. My heart pounded in my chest.
“Stop it. I’m sure you did a wonderful jo—” Mom froze in shock as she opened the messages on her phone. She couldn’t finish her sentence, her face pale. I watched her reaction, feeling a mix of satisfaction and sorrow.
Kira, sitting nearby, looked at Andy in panic. Andy grabbed his phone, his face turning from confusion to horror. He looked at me, his eyes wide with fear.
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“Erin, I can explain everything,” he stammered. But he didn’t get the chance.
My aunt Teresa jumped up from her seat, her face red with rage. “You heartless witch! How could you do this?!” She shouted at my mom, her voice shaking with fury.
“I’m heartless?! Erin planned all this! How could you ruin our lives?!” my mom shouted back, her eyes blazing with anger.
My grandparents tried to hold Aunt Teresa back while she yelled at my mom, calling her every name in the book. The restaurant turned into chaos, everyone shouting and arguing. The joyful atmosphere had turned into a battlefield.
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Kira ran up to me, her eyes pleading. “I’m so sorry,” she said, her voice trembling. “But I hope you understand, we couldn’t help our feelings. We’ve always been best friends, and I hope we can get through this and remain friends.”
Her words made my blood boil. I slapped her hard across the face, the sound echoing in the room. “How dare you call yourself my best friend after everything you did?!” I shouted, my voice breaking.
“Erin! Don’t touch her!” Andy yelled, rushing toward us.
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I turned to him, my eyes filled with anger. “You’re the most pathetic man I’ve ever seen. I truly pity you because you’ll have to live with this.”
Andy’s face fell, and he stepped back, looking defeated. The room was in chaos, with people yelling and crying. I felt a strange calmness wash over me. The truth was out. There was no turning back. I had exposed their betrayal.
I walked away from them and went to Aunt Teresa, who was still yelling at my mom.
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“Let’s go, they’re not worth it,” I said, taking her arm. Aunt Teresa listened to me as we headed for the restaurant exit. Before leaving, I flipped the cake on the table, sending it crashing down.
“Enjoy your sweet life, lovebirds!” I shouted over my shoulder. Aunt Teresa and I walked out of the restaurant together.
Once we were outside, Aunt Teresa looked at me with concern. “I’m so sorry,” she said, her voice soft.
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“It’s going to be okay,” I replied, trying to keep my voice steady. “For now, I’m just happy that Andy paid for the entire wedding. He won’t get a cent back because it was supposed to be tomorrow.”
Aunt Teresa nodded. “Considering how many guests you were going to have, he’s definitely going to be bankrupt.”
“Yeah,” I said, with a small sense of satisfaction. “And I also found messages between Andy and Kira insulting his boss. I have a feeling Andy will be out of a job soon since those screenshots somehow made their way to his boss.”
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Aunt Teresa raised her eyebrow. “And they say miracles don’t happen,” she replied, a hint of a smile on her face. We both laughed.
The laughter felt good, but it was mixed with tears streaming down my face. My heart was broken, but I knew I had done the right thing. Everyone would get what they deserved.
As we walked away from the restaurant, Aunt Teresa put her arm around me. “You did the right thing, Erin. You’re strong, and you’ll get through this.”
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“I hope so,” I said, wiping my tears. “It just hurts so much right now.”
“I know it does,” she replied. “But you’ve taken the first step to moving on. You’ve exposed the truth. Now you can start healing.”
We kept walking, and I felt sadness and relief. The truth was out, and there was no turning back. It was time to face whatever came next, but at least I wouldn’t have to face it alone.
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“I don’t know what I would have done without you,” I told Aunt Teresa.
“You’ll always have me,” she said. “We’re family, and we stick together.”
I smiled, feeling a bit of comfort in her words. We continued down the street, leaving the chaos behind us. It was a new beginning, and I was ready to face it head-on.
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If you enjoyed this story, read this one: Kate always felt like an outsider in her family, where her mother and sister received all the attention. After her father’s death, her life changed unexpectedly. Kate’s husband betrayed her with her sister for an inheritance, and then, shocked by new circumstances, begged her to take him back.
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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