Sinking In
Linda’s hands shook as she opened the pizza box. Inside, instead of a pizza, she found a note. The words hastily scrawled in pen read: “He is not who you think he is.”
Her mind raced as she tried to make sense of the message. Who had sent it? And why through a pizza delivery? Linda felt a chill run down her spine.
Just two days before her wedding, everything she thought she knew was suddenly in question. She stood frozen in the doorway, the weight of the note sinking in.
Every Detail
Linda Marvel had always dreamed of a perfect wedding, and for the past six months, she had meticulously planned every detail.
Her fiancé, Tom, seemed like the perfect match—charming, dependable, and loving. They met five years ago and had built a life together filled with laughter and shared dreams.
Linda’s friends envied her seemingly perfect relationship. As she held the note, memories of their time together flooded her mind. Was it all a lie? Linda’s heart ached at the possibility.
A Cryptic Message
Linda’s life had been blissfully ordinary until that evening. The arrival of the cryptic message sent her spiraling into doubt and fear. “Check your door camera,” it read.
She recalled small, overlooked moments—Tom’s unexplained absences and his evasive answers about his past and his parents. Was he lying to her all along?
Linda had always brushed them off, trusting Tom implicitly. Now, she wondered if she had been naïve. The threat of betrayal loomed large, and she knew she had to find out the truth before it was too late.
Two Days Before The Wedding
Linda sat alone in her living room, the note clutched in her hand. The wedding was just two days away, and the house was filled with decorations and wedding paraphernalia. Her dream dress hung in the closet, untouched.
The room felt oppressive, each happy reminder of her impending wedding now a cruel mockery. She thought of her family and friends, all excited for the big day. When she grabbed the laptop from the coffee table, her heart sank.
She was afraid of what the front door camera would reveal. How could she face the people she loved if the worst were true? Linda’s mind raced as she considered her options. She had to confront Tom, but the thought filled her with dread.
She Had To Confront Him
As soon as she watched the footage, she knew she couldn’t wait. She had to confront Tom that very night. The risk was immense. Calling off the wedding would be devastating, but living a lie would be far worse.
She rehearsed what she would say, her resolve hardening. As she heard Tom’s car pull into the driveway, her heart raced. She stood by the door, arms crossed, ready for the confrontation. She couldn’t believe what he had done to her.
When Tom walked in, his face lit up with a smile that quickly faded as he saw her expression. “Linda, what’s wrong?” he asked, concern etched on his face. Linda took a deep breath, steeling herself for what was to come.
Calling It Off
Linda’s voice shook as she spoke. “I’m canceling the wedding. It’s over!” Tom’s face twisted in confusion and hurt. “What do you mean? What happened?” he demanded. Linda held up the note, her eyes brimming with tears.
“I know who you really are. What you’ve been doing all these years.” Tom looked at the note, his expression shifting from confusion to alarm.
“What have I been doing?” he stammered, his voice rising in panic. Linda felt a surge of anger. “There’s no point denying it now. I know that you are…” She paused, the words sticking in her throat.
Her Worst Fears
Linda took a deep breath, her eyes locking onto Tom’s. “I know that you’ve been living a double life,” she said, her voice firm. “I got this note, and I checked the footage.”
Tom’s face went pale. He opened his mouth to speak, but no words came out. Linda felt a mix of vindication and sorrow.
Her trust was shattered. The silence stretched between them, heavy with unspoken words. Linda could see the guilt in Tom’s eyes, confirming her worst fears.
A Hopeless Romantic
Linda Marvel had always considered herself a hopeless romantic. Growing up in Detroit, Michigan, she always wondered who her prince charming would be.
She had grown up in a household with two loving parents who had taught her all about true love and marrying the person who was right for her.
For as long as she could remember, she dreamed of what it would be like to be someone’s wife. She always wondered who she would end up marrying.
A Promise
Unfortunately for Linda, her high school boyfriends were nothing to write home about. Some were immature and rude, and others were just not all that interesting.
It wasn’t until her final year that she decided to stop dating. “I’m never going to date again until I find a man who’s actually worth spending time with,” she told her best friends.
She kept that promise. Linda didn’t go on any dates in the first two years of college, but that changed when she was just twenty years old.
Tom Marshal
She would never forget the night she saw Tom Marshal across the room at a college house party. He caught her attention immediately.
Tom was taller than any other man there. He had dark hair and dark eyes, along with the most handsome smile she had ever seen.
That night, Linda gathered the courage to do something she had never done before. She approached him.
They Spoke
That night, they spoke for hours on end about their hopes, dreams, and biggest fears. Linda liked that Tom was very easy to speak to.
But their connection didn’t end there. Tom asked for Linda’s number by the end of the night and asked her out on a date just a few days later.
Linda was over the moon and decided that Tom was the perfect man to date. He was kind, charming, and intelligent.
Falling In Love
The pair fell from each other in no time, and Tom made their relationship official after just three dates.
Although it seemed like they were moving fast, it just felt right at the time. Linda was certain that Tom was the perfect man for her.
They spent every weekend together and saw each other throughout the week. She never could have guessed that he would break her heart in the worst way possible.
They Loved Him
Six months after the pair began dating, Linda finally introduced Tom to her parents, and they loved him right away.
Linda’s father thought he was perfect for his daughter, and her mother thought he was a gentleman.
Linda was grateful for their opinions, but when she asked Tom when she would meet his parents, he said something rather strange.
A Weird Feeling
“Probably not anytime soon,” he said and shrugged his shoulders, staring at the TV they had been staring at all night.
“What? Why not?” Linda asked, beyond confused. Did he not think she was worth meeting his parents? Doubt filled her heart as she stared at him with worried eyes.
“They moved to Europe a few years ago. Did I not mention this before?” he asked casually, but she did not recall receiving this information.
Slipped His Mind
“No, you never told me this,” she said, feeling a strange feeling in the pit of her stomach. Something just seemed a little weird.
“They moved a year after I graduated from high school. I guess I just didn’t think to mention that,” he said, not noticing the frown on her face.
Although Linda thought this was strange, she decided to shake it off. He spoke so casually that she never could have guessed that he was lying.
Forgetting About It
Within a few hours, Linda forgot about their conversation, and the young couple’s lives went back to normal.
They stayed together through thick and thin. Tom was there the day Linda graduated and vice versa. They did almost everything together.
Linda was excited about their future together. She was so used to spending time apart from Tom whenever his studies picked up, and now, that chapter was finally over.
Spending Time Apart
But to Linda’s surprise, Tom still spent a lot of time away from her. Whenever she would ask him about it, he would have some excuse.
“I’m working late,” or “I’m going to the lake with the guys for the weekend,” he would say. But she believed all of his excuses.
But one day, after they had been together for three whole years, Linda made a suggestion that she hoped Tom would agree to.
The Perfect Time
“I just think now is the perfect time to move in together. We spend most of our nights together anyway, at least, whoever you have the time for me,” she teased.
Tom seemed a little unsure. He contemplated her suggestion for a while. Linda hoped he would say yes.
They both had excellent jobs and made enough money to afford a decent place. Linda expected Tom to decline this suggestion, but to her surprise, he agreed.
He Agreed
“You’re right. We’ve been together for three years. It’s the logical next step in our relationship,” he said. She couldn’t contain her happiness.
Linda let out a sound of joy as she threw her arms around his shoulders, hugging him close. She couldn’t wait.
They began looking for a place immediately, and they found the perfect little place just a few weeks later.
The Perfect Place
Before they knew it, they had bought themselves a beautiful little place in the suburbs, and although it was small, they thought it was perfect.
It had a small garden in the back and a nice little front porch. But what caught Linda’s attention was the small security camera that overlooked the front porch.
They moved in immediately and began living their life in the suburbs. Linda had always wondered what this time of her life would be like.
They Were Happy
The pair were happy for an entire year as they stayed in their little home and made it their own. They were in a great spot.
Linda had started a small vegetable garden, and Tom had turned one of the rooms into a small home office.
Everything was going well, so no one was surprised when Tom proposed to Linda’s entire family on Saturday night.
Engagement
As soon as he got down on one knee and showed Linda the ring, she couldn’t help but shout a loud “yes” that echoed through the entire room.
Everyone cheered as he put the ring on her finger and planted a big kiss on her lips. It was one of the happiest days of her life.
Linda couldn’t wait to be his wife. She knew he was the perfect man for her. If only she knew what the future had in store for her.
Tulips
For the next few weeks, Linda couldn’t stop looking at different types of flowers and wedding dresses. She was excited for the wedding.
“I think tulips are the perfect wedding flowers. What do you think?” she asked Tom, pointing her phone in his direction.
He glanced down at the screen and nodded. But then, she asked a question that he was not expecting to hear.
An Innocent Question
“Have you told your parents? I can’t wait to finally meet them at the wedding,” she said. She didn’t notice the way his eyes widened when she asked that question.
He scratched the back of his neck, suddenly nervous as he passed her a fake smile. “I haven’t told them yet. I don’t think they’ll make it to the wedding,” he said.
This confused Linda. Why would his parents not be able to attend their own son’s wedding? She asked him directly.
Something Was Up
“They just aren’t like that. They wouldn’t waste their time and money on a wedding. We don’t need them anyway,” he said.
But Linda didn’t understand it. She couldn’t deny that his reaction to her question was rather strange.
She wanted to ask more questions, but before she could, he rose from his seat on the couch and walked toward the kitchen, cutting their conversation short.
His Limits
Linda knew that Tom always had his limits. Sometimes, it was something as small as a conversation about his childhood, but it would set him off just like it was about today. If she had known that bringing up his parents would do this to him, then she would have kept quiet and not pried.
Unfortunately for Linda, her curiosity would get the best of her. She watched Tom transform from a sweet and loving husband into something else. She had never seen it quite like this. He seemed to sink back into himself. He turned around and muttered, “I’m going out,” before heading to who knows where.
As the door clicked shut behind him, the weight of the moment settled on Linda’s shoulders. She didn’t know what to do. The air in their small, usually cozy living room turned thick with unspoken words and the echo of the door’s click.
All Alone
Linda was left alone, surrounded by the remnants of a normal day that had suddenly veered off course.
Tom walked aimlessly along the tree-lined streets of their neighborhood, the chill of the autumn evening biting through his jacket.
His mind was a whirlwind of memories and emotions, a mix he found difficult to untangle. Tom had always prided himself on being strong, on being the rock on which Linda could lean.
Unravelling Him
But the mention of his parents, of a past he had meticulously buried deep within him, had an uncanny ability to unravel him at the seams.
Meanwhile, Linda sat in silence, contemplating her next move. She realized that her curiosity, though born from love and concern, had inadvertently opened a Pandora’s box.
She made herself a cup of tea, and the warmth of the mug in her hand was a small comfort against the cold uncertainty filling the room.
He Had A Head Start
Linda realized she had to make her next move. She couldn’t just wait for him, not knowing what was going on.
Tom had a head start, but she felt like she knew all of his usual spots. She threw on a coat and headed out the door.
That’s when she noticed something alarming – he hadn’t taken the car keys. Wherever Tom had gone, he had walked. This unnerved Linda more than anything else.
Where Was He Going?
Was he planning on drinking? Or was he indeed just clearing his head? One thing was for certain: she had to at least try to search for him.
She took the car to cover more ground, but unfortunately, after hours of searching the local pubs, basketball pitches, and even the church, she couldn’t find him.
The night grew colder, and the streets became emptier as Linda drove through the neighborhood, frustration and concern battling within her.
Calling Him
She had called his phone multiple times, only to be greeted by his voicemail each time. The uncertainty of the situation was agonizing.
Just as she decided to head back home, dejected, a thought struck her. There was one place she hadn’t checked yet — the old bridge overlooking the river.
It wasn’t a spot Tom frequented often, but it held significance for both of them. It was one of the places where they first realized they were deeply in love.
A Lone Figure
Without hesitation, she steered the car toward the bridge. Pulling up, she spotted a lone figure standing by the railing, observing the water’s gentle flow below.
She recognized him immediately. Parking the car, Linda approached him cautiously, her heart pounding in her chest.
“Tom?” Her voice was soft, barely above a whisper, but it was enough. He turned to face her, and even in the dim light, she could see the turmoil in his eyes.
Needed Space
“I just needed some space, Linda,” he said, his voice weary. Linda moved closer, wrapping her arms around him.
“I understand. But walking out like that scared me. I didn’t know what to think.” They stood in silence for a moment, the only sound being the gentle ripple of the river.
It was Tom who finally broke the silence. “I’m sorry, Linda. I haven’t been fair to you. It’s just hard, you know? Sometimes it feels like my past will always have this hold on me.”
Finding Him
Linda nodded understandingly. “I know. But whatever it is, we’ll face it together. You don’t have to go through it alone.”
Standing there, embraced under the starlit sky by the old bridge, a new resolve settled between them.
It was a promise of mutual support and open communication, a reaffirmation of their commitment to face challenges together.
Going Home Alone
“Are you ready to come home?” Linda asked in a low voice. Tom looked back at her with a smile.
He said, “Not yet. I’ll come home soon. Don’t worry.” Linda resigned herself to heading home alone.
She knew that she couldn’t force Tom to tell her about his past or to come home with her. She headed for the car and went home.
Getting Home
But when she got home, she couldn’t help but think about what was plaguing her husband. Linda felt useless in his struggle.
She cooked dinner for two and waited for him despite not knowing when he’d come home. This had never happened before.
Linda took the opportunity to really think about Tom and who he was to her. Other than what he had told her, she had to guess the rest.
Returning Home
Hours passed, and when Tom finally returned, he found Linda asleep on the couch, a silent witness to her waiting for him.
Observing her, a realization washed over him – their strength as a couple didn’t come from never touching the sensitive threads of their pasts but from navigating them together, however daunting that might be.
Sitting beside her, Tom gently brushed a strand of hair from her face. “I’m sorry,” he whispered, though he knew she couldn’t hear him.
Understanding
He understood now that avoiding his past wasn’t protecting Linda; it was isolating her from a part of him she deserved to know.
Tom put a blanket over Linda and slept on the adjacent couch. It felt like they could weather anything together. Unfortunately, Linda had no idea who he really was.
The night passed, and Linda woke up to find the other couch empty. Tom had already gotten up and made breakfast, but they still had to talk.
Breakfast
She could smell the bacon cooking, but she couldn’t see Tom. She slowly rose up from the couch and investigated.
Her nose was right, and she saw two plates of breakfast sitting on the kitchen table. They looked beautiful, despite Tom not normally cooking.
She looked around, but then she heard the sound of water running. A moment later, it stopped, and Tom came downstairs; he had just showered.
Trying To Talk
He beckoned her to take a seat. Over cups of coffee stronger than the day before, Tom began to speak.
Haltingly, at first, he opened up about his parents and about the chapters of his life that Linda had never read.
But she could see that it was painful for him. He stopped before divulging any of his secrets. Linda knew better than to pry. She didn’t want him to leave the house abruptly again.
She Knew Better
Linda knew something strange was at play, but she decided not to pay too much attention to it. She didn’t want to ruin her good mood.
All that mattered was their wedding. She assumed he just had a weird relationship with his parents and didn’t want them at the wedding.
She kept scrolling through the images on her phone, trying to decide on the perfect colors for her wedding. But something alarming would happen just a few months later.
Away From Home
The week of their wedding arrived in no time, and Linda couldn’t be more excited. In the last few weeks, Tom had spent a lot of time away from home.
He said he was just enjoying his independence before the wedding. She thought he was going out with friends and partying. If only she knew the truth.
That week, Linda had butterflies in her stomach all day, every day. She couldn’t believe that she was getting married in a few days.
Moving Slow
That week felt like it was moving slowly. Linda was excited, and it felt like Saturday was years away.
With each passing day, she grew more excited and slightly nervous. She just hoped that everything would work out as planned.
Before she knew it, Thursday rolled around. That was the day that her entire life changed forever.
A Normal Day
That morning started like any other. Linda had breakfast before making a few calls, ensuring that everything was coming along for the wedding.
So far, it seemed like everything was going to be just fine. But her entire life changed that afternoon when she heard a knock on the front door.
Linda was confused. She wasn’t expecting anyone. As she walked to the door, she had no idea what was about to happen.
A Pizza
As soon as Linda pulled the front door open, she was surprised to see a pizza delivery man standing in front of her.
He held up a pizza box with a strange look on his face. “I think you have the wrong house. I didn’t order a pizza,” she said.
But he simply pushed the box into her hands. “I think you might want to see what’s inside,” he said before walking off.
Confusion
Linda was confused as she watched the young man walk away. She stared at the pizza box, baffled as to why he’d brought it.
She walked back inside, kicking the front door shut behind her. Linda headed straight for the kitchen, unaware of what was about to happen.
She wondered if Tom had accidentally ordered a pizza to their house instead of the office. But she was not prepared for what was inside of the box.
No Pizza
She placed the box on the counter and opened it slowly. But she was confused when she found no pizza inside.
“What’s going on?” she muttered to herself. But that was when she saw the note inside. As soon as she did, her heart sank.
“He is not who you think he is. Check your door camera,” it read. Her heart was racing in her chest.
Having Trouble
Linda was having trouble trying to figure out what was going on. Had the pizza delivery guy seen something that she had never seen?
Linda knew he was talking about Tom. Did he know Tom, or did he see something outside of their home?
Linda’s curiosity got the best of her. She had to check the footage of the front door camera. Her heart was racing. Was he hiding something from her?
Two Days Away
Linda sat alone in her living room, the note clutched in her hand. The wedding was just two days away, and the house was filled with decorations and wedding paraphernalia. Her dream dress hung in the closet, untouched.
The room felt oppressive, each happy reminder of her impending wedding now a cruel mockery. She thought of her family and friends, all excited for the big day. When she grabbed the laptop from the coffee table, her heart sank.
She was afraid of what the front door camera would reveal. How could she face the people she loved if the worst were true? Linda’s mind raced as she considered her options. She had to confront Tom, but the thought filled her with dread.
What Was He Talking About?
Linda’s mind was racing. What was the pizza delivery guy talking about? She held her breath as she opened the laptop and clicked on the app that held the camera’s footage.
She wondered what she would find and where she would find it. But it didn’t take long. As soon as she checked the footage from the night before, she knew what the guy wanted her to see.
She covered her mouth with the palm of her hand and gasped when she saw what had happened the night before.
Watching The Footage
She watched with tears in her eyes as Tom stood on the front porch with an unknown woman in front of him. He was holding her close.
“When can I come into your new house and have a look, honey?” the woman asked. Linda’s stomach churned. “Thought after all these years together, you’d have had me over already.”
She felt like she was going to be sick as he kissed the unknown woman. “Not tonight. Maybe next time. I will see you tomorrow, honey,” he said.
A Nightmare
That was the night she learned that her boyfriend had been in a relationship for the last few years. She couldn’t believe it.
Tears streamed down her face. How could he do something like this? Did the other woman know that she existed?
She felt like she was going to be sick as she prayed that it was all a bad dream. But her nightmare was far from over.
He Came Home
As soon as she watched the footage, she knew she couldn’t wait. She had to confront Tom that very night. The risk was immense. Calling off the wedding would be devastating, but living a lie would be far worse.
She rehearsed what she would say, her resolve hardening. As she heard Tom’s car pull into the driveway, her heart raced. She stood by the door, arms crossed, ready for the confrontation. She couldn’t believe what he had done to her.
When Tom walked in, his face lit up with a smile that quickly faded as he saw her expression. “Linda, what’s wrong?” he asked, concern etched on his face. Linda took a deep breath, steeling herself for what was to come.
It’s Over
Linda’s voice shook as she spoke. “I’m canceling the wedding. It’s over!” Tom’s face twisted in confusion and hurt. “What do you mean? What happened?” he demanded. Linda held up the note, her eyes brimming with tears.
“I know who you really are. What you’ve been doing all these years.” Tom looked at the note, his expression shifting from confusion to alarm.
“What have I been doing?” he stammered, his voice rising in panic. Linda felt a surge of anger. “There’s no point denying it now. I know that you are…” She paused, the words sticking in her throat.
A Double Life
Linda took a deep breath, her eyes locking onto Tom’s. “I know that you’ve been living a double life,” she said, her voice firm. “I got this note, and I checked the footage.”
Tom’s face went pale. He opened his mouth to speak, but no words came out. Linda felt a mix of vindication and sorrow.
Her trust was shattered. The silence stretched between them, heavy with unspoken words. Linda could see the guilt in Tom’s eyes, confirming her worst fears.
Explain What?
Tom finally found his voice, but it was weak and unsteady. “Linda, you have to believe me. I can explain,” he pleaded.
“Explain what, Tom? That our entire relationship has been a lie?” Linda shot back, her anger flaring.
Tom ran a hand through his hair, his eyes darting around the room as if searching for an escape. “It’s not like that,” he insisted.
“I love you, I really do. But there are things you don’t know about me, things I’ve kept hidden for your own good.” Linda’s heart ached at his words. “What kind of love is built on lies?”
An Explanation
“I didn’t know how to tell you. I have been with this girl since high school. She lives on the other side of town, and I never gathered the courage to leave her. My parents love her,” he said.
But that made Linda pause. “Your parents? The ones who you said moved to Europe? Why does it matter what they think?” she questioned.
She saw the guilt in his eyes when she asked that question. But when he told the truth, she couldn’t believe what he said.
He Hurt Her
Tom sighed to himself, regretting all of the decisions he’d made in the last five years. He loved Linda, but he hurt her in the worst way possible, and he lied a lot.
“They didn’t move to Europe. They live twenty minutes away. I knew they would flip if they knew about you,” he said.
Linda couldn’t believe it. He had been cheating on her since they had first gotten together. All along, he had another girlfriend.
Ending It
That night, she finally decided to end it all. “I want you to pack your things and leave this house. I never want to see you again,” she said, and meant every word.
Tom tried to stop her, but it wouldn’t work. He had broken her trust, and she would never forgive him. “Get out!” she said.
Tom left after that, and as soon as the door shut behind him, she began crying into her hands. How could this happen?
Letting Go
The following day, Linda shared the news with everyone close to her. She spent that entire day alone in bed, crying.
Her closest friends and family came over to her house for support, and she was grateful to have them around.
She knew that it would take some time to heal, but she did not regret her decision. She knew that she would eventually find her prince charming.