My wife, Rachel, and I had just returned from our honeymoon when her best friend let slip that our relationship began as a pity date. Devastated, I fled to a motel, but when I returned home seeking answers, I discovered Rachel had been hiding an even darker secret.Just yesterday, I thought I was the luckiest man in the world. I’d just returned from an amazing honeymoon with the woman of my dreams, and we were settling down to start the rest of our lives together.

A happy newlywed couple | Source: Midjourney

Our closest friends, Dan and Emily, had come over for a “welcome home from your honeymoon” dinner. Everything was going great until Emily started slurring her words.

That’s always when the truth comes out, isn’t it? Tongues get loose when the wine flows a little too freely and people say things they shouldn’t.

Rachel had outdone herself with dinner, as usual. The remains of her famous lasagna sat cooling on the coffee table, and the scent of garlic bread still lingered in the air.

She always went the extra mile when we hosted, even for casual get-togethers like this. It was one of the countless things I loved about her.

“God, these pictures are gorgeous,” Emily gushed, swiping through photos on Rachel’s phone. Her cheeks were flushed pink from the third (or was it the fourth?) glass of cabernet. “The Maldives must’ve cost a fortune though.”

I laughed, catching Dan’s eye. “Don’t remind me. Between the wedding expenses and the honeymoon, I’ll be eating ramen for months. I still can’t believe the flowers cost $3,500!”

A man joking during dinner | Source: Midjourney

Dan whistled. “Remind me not to use your florist when Emily and I tie the knot.”

Rachel tensed beside me, so slightly I almost missed it. Almost. Looking back now, I should have noticed how she’d been flinching just a little whenever money came up.

“Are your Dad’s treatments going any better?” Dan asked Rachel, reaching for his wine glass. “Last time you mentioned they were trying something new?”

Rachel’s smile faltered for just a moment. “He has good days and bad days. Mom’s keeping me updated… she sounded hopeful the last time we spoke.”

A serious-looking woman | Source: Midjourney

I leaned over and rubbed her arm. Rachel’s father had been sick for a while and it was hard for her since her parents lived on the opposite end of the country.

“That’s great to hear!” Dan grinned. “It’s a pity he couldn’t make it to your wedding, though.”

“You know, I was just thinking,” Emily butted in dreamily, her wine glass dangerously close to spilling, “you two have come so far. Remember when I first suggested you give Alex a chance, Rach?”

The room suddenly felt too warm, too small. Rachel’s hand found mine, squeezing tight enough to hurt.

“Em, maybe we should—” Dan started, but Emily was already barreling forward, oblivious to the growing tension.

“Look how happy you are today! And I feel some sense of pride looking at you two.” Emily’s words were starting to run together, her filter completely dissolved by alcohol. “You didn’t even want to give this guy a chance and only agreed when I pestered you to go on a pity date with him. Your plan was to let him down easy after, remember?”

The silence that followed was deafening. My hand went slack in Rachel’s grip and the lasagna in my stomach turned to lead.

“I was a pity date?” I turned to Rachel.

“Alex,” Rachel whispered, her voice trembling. “It’s not like that—”

“Except it is, apparently.” The words felt like glass in my throat. “And our whole relationship is built on a lie.”