On the Very First Night after Wedding, Woman Receives Proof That Spills the Beans on Her Husband's Vicious Plan

As their wedding reception winds down, Tessa and Michael retreat to their hotel room, only for Michael to disappear shortly afterward. When a waitress knocks on the door, Tessa learns who Michael really is.

Our wedding day was almost over. The reception had the final guests slow dancing and sipping on champagne. Michael's niece was picking at the wedding cake in the corner of the hall and his mother had almost passed out in her seat.

"Let's go, darling," Michael said, leading me away from the dance floor.

After eighteen months of being together, Michael proposed to me — marking the beginning of a new life. It was a love that blossomed rapidly, passionately intertwining our lives.

"Are you sure Michael is in it for you?" my mother asked when we had high tea together.

"What do you mean?" I asked.

"Tessa, you come from wealth. Your father is a millionaire. Is Michael in it for Dad's money?"

My mother had planted the seed of doubt. But I knew that Michael loved me.

He had never spoken about my father's wealth. And then, when my father was diagnosed with cancer, all stemming from a spot on his liver — Michael stepped in a son would.

He took my father to doctor's appointments, and stayed with him during chemotherapy sessions if my mother and I couldn't make it.

So, when Michael proposed, a year into our relationship, it felt like a beacon of hope — the opportunity for my father to get married to the person I loved.

My mother and I planned the wedding down to the final details. It was a grand spectacle of love and celebration. The wedding wasn't just to celebrate Michael and myself, but also to offer my father one final grand celebration as his health continued to deteriorate.

Michael held my hand tightly as we reached our honeymoon suite.

"Oh, darling, I think I forgot my phone at the table, I'll be right back!" Michael said, darting back to the elevator.

I went inside our room, trying to undo my dress and change for our first night together as a married couple. But I just couldn't undo the buttons at the back of my dress.

"I'll just have to wait for Michael," I told my reflection in the mirror.

Thirty minutes passed and there was still no sign of Michael. He was probably talking to the guests or even sneaking another piece of wedding cake.

A soft knock at the door shook me out of my thoughts.

I opened the door to find one of the waitresses from our reception dinner standing there, wide eyed.

"I'm so sorry to disturb you," she said, her eyes darting around the room behind me. "But I really need to show you something."

She extended her trembling hand, a phone clutched within.

I invited her inside the room, hoping that whatever she had to say — had nothing to do with my father and his health.

"I was walking back to the reception hall to clean up when I heard this. The beginning is missing, but I tried to record as much as I could," she said.

The phone felt cold under my fingertips. An ominous feeling took over me. I didn't know what was coming next.

Seconds later, Michael's voice filled the room.

"Listen, Ashley, it all worked out! Now, Tessa and I are married, and soon I'll have the keys to the empire. Her father trusts me more than anything. I can't imagine why he wouldn't. I've been at his beck and call for months. Soon, I will take as much as we need and I'll come for you, my love. We will run away. We will begin our own lives."

The phone slipped through my fingers, clattering against the floor as the magnitude of Michael's deception sank in.

My mother had been right. Of course.

"How can I help?" the waitress asked me.

"Help me sit, and then leave," I said, reaching out for her, everything having turned upside down.

As she turned to leave, I squeezed her hand.

"Thank you," I said, hoarsely.

Time lost meaning until Michael's return.

"Sorry, darling!" he exclaimed. "I found my phone! And then ran into some guests who were asking about our honeymoon plans."

Michael flopped onto the bed, oblivious to the rage bubbling inside me.

"What's wrong?" he asked, reaching for my arm, a hint of concern layering his voice.

The words poured out of me, cold and unyielding.

"You thought that you could manipulate your way into my family's fortune? My father may be dying, Michael, but he would never allow you to take our legacy. You can tell Ashley that you won't be getting a cent."

Michael's face drained all color, his mouth opening and closing in futile attempts to formulate an excuse.

"Tessa, I don't know what you're talking—" he began.

"Save your lies," I cut him off.

I turned away, ready to lock myself in the bathroom until he left.

"What about the prenup?" he asked. "I'm entitled to half of everything."

"Only if we've been married for an entire year," I said, pulling off my jewelry. "Which we will most certainly not be."

"That can't be true, Tessa! You lied to me!" Michael exclaimed.

"I lied to you? Michael, it was in the contract you signed. Now, please leave. I'm sure Ashley is waiting."

Michael stormed out of the room, the door slamming behind him.

The next morning, I met my parents for a hotel brunch and exposed Michael's scheme to them, safeguarding my father's legacy and ensuring that he was well aware of the truth.

My mother held my hand tightly, never once reveling in an 'I told you so' moment.

It's been months since the wedding, and my marriage has been annulled. I don't know where Michael is, or who he's with. But I do know that I'm better off.

What would you do?

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