I Shouted 'I Won’t!' at My Wedding Following a Chat with the Groom’s Mom, Whose Scheme Nearly Succeeded

Because that’s precisely what Ryan’s mother did. When Ryan and I first met two years ago, it happened by chance. I was at the community theater because my friend Mila was directing her first local musical. After the show, I stood outside with a bouquet of flowers for her. Ryan exited the building and accidentally bumped into me, knocking the flowers to the ground. Picking them up quickly, he apologized, saying, “I’m so sorry.” I replied, “I hate crowds.” He laughed and motioned for us to step away from the doorway. “I’m not a fan either,” he said, introducing himself as Ryan. “Hanna,” I responded, shaking his hand. Three months into our relationship, Ryan proposed to me over crispy potato skins and Guinness at a pub.

We should have exchanged our wedding vows last week. However, the day took an unexpected and dramatic turn. At first, my family adored Ryan. My parents were thrilled that I had found someone who genuinely made me happy, especially as their only daughter. During one of our family dinners, my mom commented, “This is a different side of you, Hanna.” My dad smiled, adding, “He makes her happy. That’s all a father can wish for.” Ryan felt welcomed by my family, and this strengthened our relationship. Similarly, Ryan’s family embraced me warmly. The Coles opened their hearts and home to me. His mother, Audrey, even started a tradition of manicure and coffee dates with me. Everything felt perfect—until it didn’t.

As our wedding day approached, I was surprisingly calm. We had planned a small church ceremony, paying attention to every little detail to make it special. It was meant to be the happiest day of my life. However, just before the ceremony, Audrey pulled me aside. “My dear,” she said softly. “Can we talk for a moment?” I nodded and asked her to wait until my hair and makeup were done. Her demeanor made me uneasy. I observed her fidgeting, her gaze shifting to my wedding dress hanging nearby. Once I was ready, I turned to her. “I’m ready now,” I said with a smile.

Audrey’s eyes glistened as she looked at me in the dress. Although she had attended my fittings, this was the first time she saw the complete bridal look. “Hanna,” she began hesitantly, “there’s no easy way to say this.” My heart raced as I sat, feeling an impending sense of doom. “Just tell me,” I urged her. Audrey pulled out her phone and unlocked it. “There are videos here that you need to see,” she said. “I’m truly sorry, but Ryan needs to be exposed.” My mind raced. As she handed me the phone, a woman’s voice echoed from the device. The videos revealed Ryan in an intimate situation with another woman—a clear betrayal.

“Are you sure this is him?” I asked, struggling to process what I was seeing. Audrey pointed to a jacket in the video. “Isn’t that the one you bought for him?” she asked. I looked at the jacket, recognizing it, and the hotel room looked eerily familiar too. “But his face isn’t visible,” I protested weakly. Despite my doubts, Audrey’s words lingered. “It’s all there,” she said firmly. “You can ignore it, but ask yourself: Can you live with this? Can you live with him, knowing this?” I shook my head, overwhelmed.

When Audrey asked if I would call off the wedding, I replied, “No. I’ll walk down that aisle and end it during the vows.” Audrey nodded and tucked her phone away. As I waited for my father to escort me to the altar, I wished I could escape, eat a pile of fries, and forget everything. Walking down the aisle, my heart pounded with anger. Ryan smiled warmly, oblivious to the storm brewing within me. As the priest spoke about love and marriage, I finally found my resolve. When it was time for my vows, I whispered, “I don’t.”

The priest asked me to speak up, and I repeated, “I don’t!” My words echoed through the church, leaving Ryan stunned. “Hanna? Why?” he asked, hurt and confused. I turned to Audrey and said, “Tell everyone what you told me.” The room fell silent as Audrey reluctantly pulled out her phone. I handed it to Ryan, saying, “Watch this.” Ryan recoiled, nearly stumbling over the wedding arch. “Hanna, this isn’t me!” he protested. “You know it’s not me!” He then confronted his mother. “Mum, what is this? How did you get this video?” Audrey, unable to face him, hurriedly left the church.

Ryan’s pleas for trust fell on deaf ears. The evidence was too damning—the jacket, the hotel, and the intimate sounds. “I can’t do this,” I said firmly. Leaving through the side door, I walked away with my parents. Ryan called me repeatedly that day until I finally blocked his number. Two days later, he showed up at my parents’ house with flowers and takeout. “You think this will fix everything?” I asked. “We need to talk,” he replied.

Ryan then revealed that Audrey had orchestrated everything. She had recruited two of her college students to create the video, driven by her disapproval of our relationship. My disbelief turned to anger. “I thought she liked me,” I said. “Clearly not, considering she went to such lengths,” Ryan replied. Despite everything, Ryan forgave me for accusing him, and I forgave him too. Though we’re still together, I feel deeply betrayed by Audrey. It will take time to heal, but I know forgiveness won’t come easily. How would you respond?