Iris was delighted. Her daughter Eliza was getting ready to marry the love of her life, Daniel. So Iris went to see her future son-in-law to give him her late husband’s diamond cufflinks.
But Daniel was walking too fast, and Iris had to run after him, despite the pain in her knees. She saw him approach Melissa, one of the bridesmaids, and whisper something to her.
Then the two of them went deeper into the restaurant. Out of curiosity, Iris quietly followed them and saw them go into the bathroom…
Iris opened the door slightly, and her heart sank when she looked inside.
‘I can’t wait any longer, darling,’ Daniel pulled Melissa by the waist, bringing her closer to him.
‘Not now, darling,’ Melissa purred. ‘If anyone finds out, our plan will fail. Be patient, dear… you just need to stay married for a little while longer. Think of the large sum of money we’ll get when you divorce that boring wife of yours. Millions of dollars… but for now, control yourself!’
Iris looked at the reflection in the mirror. Daniel and Melissa were kissing passionately in each other’s arms.
‘Not now…’ Melissa whispered. ‘We have to go back.’
‘Only if you promise to meet me at my place later,’ Daniel said. ‘Everything will stay the same… after Eliza leaves for work!’
Melissa laughed. Unable to watch and endure any longer, Iris rushed to warn her daughter.
Iris hurried to the banquet hall, but Eliza was not there. At that moment, the host drew the guests’ attention.
‘Before we head to the wedding hall, the bride has a special gift for the groom,’ he announced.
Eliza came on stage and picked up the microphone.
‘I’ve waited a long time for true love… and I want to dedicate this song to him!’
The orchestra began to play a gentle melody, and Eliza began to sing. Silence fell over the hall, and then applause broke out.
Daniel ran onto the stage and hugged Eliza. Iris knew that her daughter’s heart would break when she found out the truth.
The host took the floor again:
‘And now, newlyweds, your first dance!’
Iris pushed her way through the crowd and approached Eliza.
‘Darling, I need to tell you something… it’s about Daniel.’
‘What’s wrong, Mum?’
‘He… can we talk in private?’
‘Daniel is waiting for me. Let’s talk after the dance, okay?’
Melissa walked around Iris and took the bride by the hand:
‘Daniel is waiting for you on the dance floor.’
Elise looked stunning in her wedding dress as she followed Melissa. Iris couldn’t bring herself to break her heart on this day.
But she knew there was only one way to expose Daniel: catch him red-handed.
On Monday after the wedding, Eliza and Daniel drove Iris to the airport. She struggled to contain her disgust as she watched Daniel hug Eliza.
When Iris said goodbye and walked into the departure area, she suddenly turned around, took a taxi and returned home to her daughter.
She knew that Daniel and Melissa would meet as soon as Elisa left for work.
When Iris pulled up to the house, she saw Melissa’s car.
She immediately called her daughter:
‘Darling, my flight has been cancelled. I took a taxi back… I’m not feeling well, can you come over?’
‘Oh my God, Mum! I’m busy… but don’t worry, I’ll call Daniel, he can help.’
‘No! Don’t call him. I only need you… please, it’s important.’
Eliza sighed.
‘Okay, I’m coming.’
Iris pressed herself against the window.
At first, she didn’t notice anything. But then the bedroom door opened, and she saw Daniel and Melissa kissing passionately.
She immediately looked away, fighting back tears.
‘Hurry, Eliza…’ she begged.
A few minutes later, her daughter’s car pulled up outside the house.
‘Mum, what’s wrong?’
‘Your husband and Melissa are in there… together.’
‘WHAT?!’
‘I’m sorry I didn’t tell you sooner. I overheard their conversation on your wedding day…’
‘About what?’
‘They were having an affair… and they were going to cheat you out of your money.’
Eliza froze, trembling.
‘Daniel and Melissa? But… he was always so kind to me… How could I not have noticed?’
‘They’re in there,’ Iris pointed to the door. ‘See for yourself.’
Eliza nodded decisively, wiped away her tears and burst into the house.
‘WHAT IS GOING ON HERE?!’
But a strange sight met their eyes: Daniel and Melissa were sitting on the sofa as if nothing had happened.
‘Eliza? What are you talking about?’ Daniel raised his eyebrows. ‘We were discussing work…’
‘LIAR!’ Iris pointed at him. ‘I saw you here just a minute ago!’
‘Do you think Daniel and I are having an affair?’ Melissa said indignantly.
‘Shut up!’ Elisa shouted. ‘Mum saw you in the bathroom on our wedding day. And now you’re in my house!’
‘That’s not true!’ Daniel grabbed Eliza’s hands. ‘I swear, I bought us a new house! I wanted to surprise you… but you don’t believe me.’
Eliza hesitated.
‘He’s lying,’ whispered Iris.
‘But why would he want me to stay if he just wants the money?’
‘Check the prenuptial agreement, Eliza,’ insisted Iris. ‘He’s a gold digger!’
‘Enough, Mum!’ sighed Eliza. ‘I don’t want to talk about this anymore.’
Iris picked up the phone.
‘Mr. Simms? I need you to change my will immediately. All the money goes to charity. Eliza won’t get a penny.’
‘WHAT?!’
‘I’m sorry, Eliza. But I won’t let a con man squander our family’s fortune.’
‘Fine!’ Elisa shouted. ‘You’re no longer my mother!’
Weeks passed. Iris underwent surgery and was discharged from the hospital.
She missed her daughter. She called her every day and sent her messages.
There was no response.
But one day, the doorbell rang.
Iris opened it and froze.
‘Eliza?!’
Her daughter’s eyes were tearful.
‘Mum… you were right…’
Iris hugged her tightly.
She was happy — her daughter was finally free.
