“Everything okay?” I asked as we sat down.
Fiona glanced up, startled. “Oh, yeah. Just checking something quick.”
I nodded, trying to hide my disappointment. This was supposed to be our special night, but she seemed a million miles away.
The waiter appeared with menus. “Can I interest you in our anniversary special? A bottle of champagne to start?”
“That sounds perfect,” I said, smiling at Fiona. “What do you think, honey?”
She was staring at her phone again. “Hm? Oh, sure. Whatever you want.”
I sighed and ordered the champagne. As the waiter walked away, I reached across the table and gently touched Fiona’s hand.
“Hey, can we maybe put the phones away? It’s our anniversary.”
Fiona looked guilty. “You’re right, I’m sorry. It’s just this new video series I found —”
I tried to keep the irritation out of my voice. “Another prank channel?”
“They’re hilarious, Aidan! You should see some of these —”
I tuned out as she launched into a description of the latest viral prank. My mind wandered back to the past few weeks, and I felt my stomach tighten.
It had started innocently enough, Fiona showing me funny videos on her phone, and both of us laughing. But then she’d started trying to recreate them at home.
There was the time she jumped out from behind the shower curtain, nearly giving me a heart attack. The fake spider in Nora’s lunchbox that made our daughter cry. The “broken” glass prank that left Callum afraid to touch anything in the kitchen for days.
Each time, Fiona would laugh it off. “It’s just a joke!” she’d say. “Don’t be so serious!”
But I’d seen the fear in our kids’ eyes, felt the constant tension in my own shoulders. It wasn’t funny anymore. It was exhausting.
I snapped back to the present as the waiter returned with our champagne. Fiona was still talking, gesturing animatedly about some YouTuber’s latest stunt.
Fiona stood up abruptly. “I need to use the restroom. Be right back.”
I watched her walk away, a sense of unease growing in my stomach. Something felt off.
Suddenly, a commotion erupted behind me. I turned to see Fiona stumbling between tables, clutching her throat.
“I can’t breathe!” she gasped, falling to her knees. “Help me!”
The restaurant erupted in chaos. People rushed to her side, calling for help. I sat frozen, unable to process what was happening.
Then Fiona started laughing. “Just kidding!” she announced, getting to her feet. “It was a prank!”
The silence that followed was deafening. I felt the eyes of every patron boring into me. Fiona grinned, oblivious to the horror on everyone’s faces.
“Ma’am, that was extremely inappropriate,” the manager said, approaching our table. “I’m going to have to ask you to leave.”
I stood up, grabbing my coat. “I’m leaving,” I said, my voice tight with anger. “Without my wife. You can get an Uber home on your own,” I informed her.
Fiona’s smile faltered. “Aw, come on. It was just a joke!”
I didn’t even respond. I couldn’t even look at her. I rushed out to the car and made off before she had time to respond — besides, she needed to settle the bill anyway.
As soon as I got home, I headed for the kids’ rooms. “Pack a bag,” I told Nora and Callum. “We’re going to Uncle Declan’s for a bit.”
An hour later, I was knocking on my brother’s door, two sleepy kids in tow. Declan took one look at my face and ushered us inside without a word.
“Guest room’s all yours,” he said, helping me with the bags. “Want to talk about it?”
I shook my head. “Not tonight. Thanks, bro.”
My phone buzzed incessantly with messages from Fiona. I ignored them all and tried to sleep.
The next morning, I woke to find 37 missed calls and twice as many texts. I scrolled through them, my anger reigniting.
“You’re overreacting.”
“It was just a joke!”
“How could you embarrass me like that?”
“You owe me an apology.”
I tossed the phone aside, disgusted. How could she not see how wrong she was?
As if on cue, my phone rang again. This time, it was Greta, Fiona’s mom. I hesitated before answering.
“Aidan! What’s this I hear about you abandoning my daughter at a restaurant?” Greta’s voice was shrill with indignation.
I took a deep breath. “Hi, Greta. It’s not what you think.”
“Oh? Then explain it to me, young man. Because from where I’m standing, you left your wife alone on your anniversary. That’s pretty low.”
I pinched the bridge of my nose, feeling a headache coming on. “Fiona pulled a prank, Greta. A bad one. She pretended to choke in the middle of a crowded restaurant.”
There was a pause on the other end of the line. “She did what?”
I recounted the events of the previous night, including Fiona’s recent obsession with pranks and how it was affecting our family.
When I finished, Greta was quiet for a long moment. Then she sighed heavily. “Oh, Aidan. I had no idea it had gotten this bad.”
“Yeah, well. Now you know.”
“I… I don’t know what to say. If things are really this bad, I… I wouldn’t blame you if you wanted a divorce.”
Her words hit me like a punch to the gut. Divorce? Is that where we were headed?
“I don’t know, Greta,” I said honestly. “I just need some time to think.”
After we hung up, I sat on the edge of the bed, my head in my hands. Was this really the end of our marriage?
I spent the day in a daze, mechanically going through the motions of caring for the kids. By evening, I’d made a decision.
I called Fiona. “Meet me at the restaurant tomorrow at 7 p.m. We need to talk.
She agreed immediately, sounding relieved. I hung up before she could say more.
The next night, I arrived at the restaurant early. My palms were sweaty as I clutched the envelope containing the divorce papers I’d had drawn up that afternoon.
Fiona walked in, looking smaller and more vulnerable than I’d ever seen her. Her eyes were red-rimmed, her hair disheveled.
“Hi,” she said softly, as she took a seat alongside me.
“Hi,” I replied, my throat tight.
We sat in awkward silence for a moment. Then Fiona burst out, “Aidan, I’m so sorry. I never meant to hurt you or the kids. I just got carried away with the pranks and —”
I held up a hand to stop her. Without a word, I slid the envelope across the table.
Fiona’s hands shook as she opened it. Her eyes widened as she realized what she was looking at.
“No,” she whispered, tears spilling down her cheeks. “Please, Aidan, no. We can work this out. I’ll stop the pranks, I promise. Please don’t leave me.”
I let her cry for a moment, my own eyes stinging. Then I took a deep breath.
“It’s a prank,” I said quietly.
Fiona’s head snapped up. “What?”
“The divorce papers. They’re not real. It’s a prank.”
Her mouth opened and closed, no sound coming out. I leaned forward, my voice intense.
“This is what it feels like, Fiona. This is how your pranks make us feel. Scared, hurt, betrayed. Is this what you want for our family?”
Fiona’s face crumpled. “No,” she sobbed. “God, no. I’m so sorry, Aidan. I never realized…”
I reached across the table and took her hand. “I love you, Fiona. But this has to stop. No more pranks. Ever. Can you promise me that?”
She nodded vigorously, squeezing my hand. “I promise. No more pranks. I’ll delete all those stupid videos. I’ll do whatever it takes.”
I exhaled slowly, feeling a weight lift from my shoulders. “Okay,” I said. “Then let’s go home.”
As we stood to leave, Fiona hesitated. “Aidan? Thank you for not giving up on us.”
I pulled her into a hug, breathing in the familiar scent of her hair. “We’re in this together,” I murmured. “For better or worse, remember?”
She laughed softly, a sound I realized I’d missed. “I remember. Let’s aim for ‘better’ from now on, okay?”
I nodded, feeling cautiously optimistic for the first time in weeks. As we walked out of the restaurant hand in hand, I knew we had a long way to go. But at least now, we were on the same page.
And there wasn’t a prank in sight.
What would you have done?
I Accidentally Overheard My Fiancé Talking to His Mom — It Left Me in Tears, but the Next Day, I Taught Him a Lesson
I Accidentally Overheard My Fiancé Talking to His Mom — It Left Me in Tears, but the Next Day, I Taught Him a Lesson
On the eve of her wedding, Paige overhears a shocking conversation that reveals her fiancé’s true intentions. With her heart shattered and her trust broken, she faces a choice that could redefine her future.
A young woman wearing a white floral top | Source: Pexels
Hi everyone, my name is Paige, and I was 23 years old when all of this happened. Life for me had always been on the quieter side—pretty uneventful, to be honest.
Every day was the same: wake up early, go to college, attend long lectures, and come home to fall asleep on my textbooks.
A woman in a red coat carrying a backpack and a brown book | Source: Pexels
My social life? Well, it was pretty much non-existent. I rarely went out with friends, preferring instead to spend my evenings curled up with a good book on my sofa. It was simple, predictable, and safe.
But then, one day, everything changed. It seemed like just another Thursday that changed everything. You see, I had an encounter that turned my world upside down.
An unrecognizable woman with an open laptop resting on a bench with a book on her face | Source: Pexels
I was at the university library, buried in the stacks of books and on the hunt for some much-needed resources for my paper.
It was in the quiet, somewhat musty aisles of the library where I met Aaron. He was 24, just a year older than me, and apparently, we had more in common than just our majors.
A library with hanging bulbs | Source: Unsplash
We both reached for the same book at the same time. It felt like a slow-motion scene from a movie.
Our hands brushed against each other’s, and before we could react, a pile of books toppled from the shelf and scattered around us. It was embarrassing, yet somehow endearing.
A woman reaching for a book in a library | Source: Unsplash
As we bent down to pick up the books, Aaron’s hand brushed mine again, sending a pleasant shiver down my spine. He quickly apologized and we began putting the books back on the rack together.
“So, which book were you reaching for?” he had asked, breaking the silence between us.
I told him, and his face lit up with a surprised smile. “No way, I was looking for that exact book too!”
A silhouette of a man holding a book | Source: Pexels
The book? It was “At First Sight” by Nicholas Sparks. He looked at me, a warm smile playing on his lips, and then did something that still gives me goosebumps when I think about it. Aaron handed the book to me, his fingers lingering just a moment too long as he passed it.
“Take it. I can wait,” he insisted gently.
A grayscale photo of a couple reading a book in a library | Source: Pexels
That small act of kindness was the start of something new for me. We exchanged numbers, agreeing that I would give him the book once I was done.
Little did I know, the title “At First Sight” was about to become a lot more significant in my life than just a name on a book cover.
Four youngsters sitting on a vehicle roof | Source: Unsplash
After that chance encounter in the library, Aaron and I occasionally bumped into each other on campus. Sometimes he’d just wave, sometimes he’d shout a cheerful “Hey, Paige!” across the quad, and I’d wave back or shout a hello. It was casual and sweet—just small, simple exchanges that somehow brightened my days.
A couple laughing while stroking each other’s noses | Source: Pexels
It wasn’t long before these casual meet-ups turned into proper hangouts. We’d grab coffee, discuss our favorite books, and share stories about our lives. I learned that Aaron was from Germany and had been living in the U.S. for the past four years.
Two cups of brown coffee on top of a brown tray | Source: Pexels
Getting to know him was effortless, like breathing. And somewhere along the way, without even realizing it, I fell in love with him.
A couple kissing | Source: Pexels
Fast forward two years to the day we first met, Aaron planned something special. He took me back to the very same spot in the library where our hands had touched over that fateful book.
This time, he handed me another book from the rack. I opened it, curious, and my heart stopped—a beautiful ring was nestled between the pages.
A white gold halo-style diamond engagement ring on a book | Source: Unsplash
Softly, he leaned in and whispered in my ear, “Will you marry me, Paige?”
I was so overwhelmed that tears just started streaming down my face. I couldn’t even find the words—I just nodded. He gently wiped the tears from my cheeks and slid the ring onto my finger. It was surreal, magical—the happiest day of my life.
A close-up shot of a man slipping a ring on his girlfriend’s finger | Source: Unsplash
We had stood there in the quiet of the library, surrounded by books and the quiet hum of knowledge, completely wrapped up in our own little world.
A white bridal dress | Source: Pexels
We were supposed to have gotten married last Sunday, and I had cooked up the most amazing surprise for Aaron. I had been secretly learning German for the past six months, all because I wanted to say my wedding vows in his mother tongue.
I thought it would be a perfect surprise, a way to show him just how much I cared and wanted to connect with his heritage.
A smiling woman looking at her reflection in the mirror | Source: Pexels
The night before our wedding, though, I was a bundle of nerves. With all the excitement and anxiety swirling around in my head, sleep was just not coming.
I was lying in bed, eyes closed, trying to sleep when Aaron’s phone suddenly rang. It was his mom, and they started chatting away in German.
A smiling woman resting in bed with her eyes closed | Source: Pexels
Lying there, I thought it might be a good chance to test my German understanding, but then, I heard something that made my heart nearly stop.
Aaron said, “Mom, I know Paige is fat, but I’ll be patient. Her parents are loaded. Once we’re married, I’ll get access to all their money and then I’ll make her go for plastic surgery to get slimmer.”
A man talking on his phone | Source: Pexels
Hearing those words in his calm, calculated voice shattered my world. Tears welled up, and a cold chill ran down my spine as the harsh reality of his intentions dawned on me. It felt like a nightmare, except it was all too real.
A woman crying | Source: Unsplash
The night before our wedding was one of the longest of my life. After overhearing that call, I felt so betrayed and heartbroken that I cried myself to sleep.
Yet, amid that storm of tears and disillusionment, a plan began to form—a plan to stand up for myself and expose Aaron for who he truly was.
A wedding venue | Source: Unsplash
The day of the wedding dawned bright and clear, a stark contrast to the turmoil inside me. As guests started arriving and the venue blossomed with flowers and laughter, everything seemed perfect, just as we had planned. But the typical wedding setup was the only part of the plan I decided to keep.
A bride walking down the aisle with her father | Source: Pexels
As the wedding march began, I took a deep breath and stepped out, not with the usual bridal bouquet, but with a microphone in hand. I walked down the aisle toward Aaron, who was smiling widely at the altar, oblivious to the storm about to break.
Guests turned, surprised by my approach, their whispers filling the air as they noticed the absence of music and the presence of my determined stride.
A close-up shot of a groom adjusting his jacket’s button | Source: Unsplash
Reaching the altar, I paused and faced the crowd. Aaron’s smile faltered as I began to speak in German, clearly and confidently—the result of my months of secret lessons.
I revealed everything he had said, each word heavy with the betrayal I felt. Then, turning back to English, I repeated the essence of my speech to ensure everyone understood, especially those who didn’t speak German.
A bride hugging a groom while holding a piece of paper | Source: Pexels
“The person standing beside me hoped to marry me not for love, but for financial gain. He expected to use my family’s wealth to fund his lifestyle and even planned to manipulate me into changing my appearance to suit his preferences,” I declared, the crowd gasping and murmuring in shock.
A white envelope | Source: Unsplash
Then, I turned to Aaron, his face now pale, eyes wide with disbelief. I handed him an envelope, his hands shaking as he took it. “This is a bill for half of our wedding expenses. It’s only fair since we’re not going through with this.”
A man covering his mouth with both hands | Source: Pexels
I looked him in the eyes, my voice steady despite the chaos of emotions. “I wish you a life filled with all the happiness you can afford,” I said, my words echoing through the stunned silence.
A bride holding a bouquet | Source: Unsplash
Without another word, I turned and walked down the aisle, away from the altar. Each step felt like shedding a heavyweight, and by the time I reached the back of the venue, my head was held high, my heart lighter, knowing I had stood up for myself.
A bride in a car looking outside and smiling | Source: Unsplash
Outside, the setting sun cast long shadows and bathed the world in a golden glow, signaling new beginnings. As I walked away, I never looked back, stepping into a future that was uncertain but wholly my own.
So, readers, did I do the right thing by teaching Aaron a lesson? What would you have done in my place?
A back view of a woman sitting in a green field | Source: Pexels
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