After my parents divorced, I chose to live with my father and stepmother. I never imagined that, on the eve of my wedding, I’d uncover a secret so devastating I cut them both from the guest list.
My father, James, had always seemed dependable, and I cared for my stepmother, Karen. But the night before my wedding, while confirming plans with my dad, I overheard him on the phone with Karen. They were laughing about their affair—one that started while my mother was pregnant with me and continued for years, even after she caught them.
My heart shattered. All the sadness I’d blamed on my mother suddenly made sense. I couldn’t have my father at my wedding. I returned his money, told him I wanted nothing from him, and asked my mother to walk me down the aisle instead.
The ceremony was bittersweet, but amidst the pain, I found strength, truth, and the chance to begin my life with integrity.
