When Carina’s parents kick her out after high school, she has no choice but to navigate her way around life. Years later, after making a success of her life, and her wedding is around the corner, she reaches out to them, only for them to storm into her life, trying to take ownership of what she has worked so hard for.
“Carina,” my mother said, opening a packet of biscuits. “You’re going to regret not going to medical school.”
“Mom,” I replied. “My brain doesn’t work like Jade’s; she’s the doctor in the family, not me.”
A packet of biscuits | Source: Midjourney
“I don’t see why it can’t be the both of you,” she sniffed, dunking a biscuit into her lukewarm tea. “Why do you even waste your time with computers? Those machines are not going to make your life comfortable.”
This wasn’t anything new. My parents hated that I loved computers, and when school was out in the next few months, I was going to be off to college, studying IT.
A girl sitting with a laptop and headphones | Source: Midjourney
“Who cares about cyber security, Carina?” my father asked while he sat down with a pork chop. “Saving people’s lives, honey. That’s what success is. Not playing on computers.”
“Cyber security is how your important details are protected, Dad,” I would always say, rolling my eyes. “It’s how countries keep their people safe.”
Pork chops on a plate | Source: Unsplash
“It’s not good enough,” my mother said from the sink.
After graduation, my parents made me leave the house.
“You’ve chosen this path,” my mother said when I bought my IT textbooks. “So you’re capable of taking care of yourself.”
A pile of books | Source: Midjourney
“I don’t think that’s fair, Mom,” I retaliated. “You let Jade live at home for her whole degree.”
“Yeah, well, she was learning how to save lives, Carina,” she said.
A woman looking through a microscope | Source: Pexels
Fast forward 13 years. I’ve got a successful career, a beautiful house, and the most caring fiancé, Mark, I could have ever asked for.
“Are you sure that I should invite my parents to the wedding?” I asked Mark as we took a walk one evening.
“Yes, darling,” he said, taking my hand. “Why wouldn’t you? I’m so proud of who you are and where you’ve come from. You’ve done all of this on your own.”
A couple holding hands | Source: Pexels
“But they’ve been such horrible people, Mark. I mean, they kicked me out of their home when I got into college. I had to work as a dog groomer to make enough money to cover the rent for my tiny apartment,” I said.
“Yes, I understand that,” my fiancé said diplomatically. “But you’ve made it now. And you’ve made it without them. Look, honey. Our home is yours; it’s in your name, and I love that for us.”
A person grooming a dog | Source: Pexels
Eventually, I gave in. The excitement of our wedding planning made me realize that I was proud of myself and where I had come from.
“I did it without their support,” I told Mark as I fried bacon for us one morning. “So, I’m going to invite them.”
Mark smiled at me while he poured milk into his coffee.
A person pouring milk into coffee | Source: Unsplash
“Good, this is a big moment for us,” he said.
When my parents and sister arrived, they were stunned by my house. They assumed that I was renting a room of the house. Of course, they didn’t think that I was capable of something bigger and better than that.
A beautiful home with a large garden | Source: Midjourney
“Carina! You own this entire house?” my father asked, his eyes wide with disbelief.
“Yes, Dad,” I said, wheeling my mother’s suitcase in, they seemed to think that they were spending the night. “I worked hard for this.”
A suitcase in a living room | Source: Midjourney
“Wow, I didn’t expect this,” my sister said, looking around.
“So, I thought that we could do dinner at a restaurant tonight, and then come home for dessert and coffee. You guys can spend time with Mark and my in-laws.”
They were going to be over at any moment, the first meet and greet almost underway.
But that’s when the entitlement kicked in.
A beautiful living room | Source: Unsplash
My mother’s eyes narrowed as she scanned the living room, taking in my television and other things.
“You know, Carina,” she declared, her tone leaving no room for argument. “We deserve to live in comfort after all we’ve done for you.”
Then, she promptly sat down on the couch.
An older woman sitting | Source: Pexels
“Mom, what are you talking about?” I was incredulous. “This is my home. I bought it with my own money. You did absolutely nothing for me after high school.”
“But we’re your parents,” she insisted. “We should live better than our children. It’s our right. It’s the only right thing.”
“You can’t be serious,” I said, my voice rising. “Jade still lives with you because you wanted to baby her after her night shifts. And me? You didn’t care. This isn’t my responsibility.”
An older woman looking around | Source: Pexels
My father stepped in at this point, crossing his arms.
“After everything we’ve sacrificed for you, this is the least you can do.”
“Jade needs a place to stay, too,” my mother said.
“Jade is an adult,” I snapped. “She made her choice to live with you, just like I made my own.”
An older man | Source: Unsplash
I felt bad that I was speaking about Jade in this way, especially because she was sitting on the couch and looking at my plants.
But my sister had chosen my parents when they kicked me out. She barely kept in contact with me, only stopping to text me on my birthday or Christmas morning.
A woman sitting on a couch | Source: Unsplash
At that moment, the door opened, and my future in-laws walked in. I had always been close to them, wanting to find parental figures in Mark’s parents.
“We’ve been hearing this entire conversation from outside,” Tom said.
“Carina’s achievements are hers,” my future mother-in-law, Carol, said firmly. “She’s worked hard for this, and she deserves every bit of it.”
A smiling woman holding a bouquet of flowers | Source: Pexels
My mother turned to her, eyes blazing.
“Who the hell are you? We have rights to this house; she’s our daughter.”
Carol didn’t flinch; she stood with her arms folded, a smile playing across her face.
“Why did you remember that only now? Where have you been all these years? Being her parents doesn’t mean that you can take credit for her hard work. Carina has earned this.”
An angry old woman | Source: Pexels
My parents were stunned into silence, and Jade couldn’t even look up.
“Carina invited you to celebrate her wedding, to celebrate the union of her and our son. To join our families. She did not invite you to berate her and have her hard work claimed,” Tom said.
“She owes you nothing but respect because you raised her, but that doesn’t mean giving up her home,” Carol said.
A young mother and daughter | Source: Pexels
“But we’re her family,” my mother said, clearly not expecting this level of pushback.
“Only by blood,” Mark said, stepping into the house. “Family supports one another. They don’t tear you down. And that’s what you’ve done to Carina for years.”
“You should be so proud of your girl,” Carol continued. “She’s done so much for us. I am so proud of her. Tom, too. She’s the daughter that I wanted all along.”
A smiling man | Source: Pexels
Mark found his way to me, wrapping his arm around my waist.
I looked at my parents, seeing the dawning realization on their faces.
“I love you, I do,” I said. “But this is my life, and you’ve only been in it again for five minutes, and you’re already demanding things of me. Is that fair? I’ve worked too hard to let anyone take that away from me.”
My father sighed heavily.
An elderly man looking down | Source: Unsplash
“We didn’t mean to upset you,” he said.
“Then respect my choice,” I said gently. “Be present for my wedding, but after that, you can go your own way again.”
After the confrontation, my parents seemed to understand, if only a little.
A bride holding a card | Source: Pexels
When we left to the restaurant, everyone was subdued, except for Mark and my in-laws. I didn’t see a point in canceling the dinner because of the confrontation.
We sat down to eat, everyone lost in their own thoughts while Carol made comments about seeing me in my dress.
“Mark, you’re in for such a treat. Carina looks beautiful in that dress,” she said, digging into her salmon.
I smiled at my future mother-in-law. I always knew that she loved me, but her comments of the day had truly made me realize just how much.
A bride with wedding dresses | Source: Pexels
I was lucky. I had gotten lucky with Mark, but even more so with his parents.
I watched as my mother’s face fell when Carol went on, talking about the dress fitting. But I didn’t have it in me to make her feel better.
After dinner, we left the restaurant, parting ways with my parents and sister.
“We’ll see you at the wedding,” my father said, getting into the car.
“Yes,” I said. “I’ll see you then.”
A man sitting in a car | Source: Pexels
Let’s see what happens at my wedding.
What would you have done?
If you enjoyed this story, here’s another one for you:
Claire just wants to be the glamorous mother-of-the-groom—but when she realizes that her daughter-in-law has her own plans for the wedding, she steps back to focus on her own outfit, only for there to be a fight between her and Alice on the big day. Alice claims that Claire has destroyed the wedding by stealing her dream dress, while Claire sees nothing wrong in her actions. Who is wrong?
This work is inspired by real events and people, but it has been fictionalized for creative purposes. Names, characters, and details have been changed to protect privacy and enhance the narrative. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental and not intended by the author.
The author and publisher make no claims to the accuracy of events or the portrayal of characters and are not liable for any misinterpretation. This story is provided “as is,” and any opinions expressed are those of the characters and do not reflect the views of the author or publisher.
My Husband Spent Every Weekend in His Garage — I Was Shocked to Find Out Why
My weekends with Andrew had always been our special time until he began vanishing into the garage every Saturday. When I finally uncovered his secret, my world shattered, and the truth behind his mysterious project was a revelation that changed everything.
Andrew and I had always cherished our weekends together. Saturday morning walks, lazy brunches, and movie nights were our rituals. But all that changed over the past year.
Emily finds herself alone every weekend | Source: Pexels
Every weekend, Andrew disappeared into the garage. At first, I thought it was a phase, a hobby he would grow out of, but it became more frequent. He’d lock himself away from dawn to dusk, and I was left alone.
“Andrew, what are you doing in there all the time?” I asked one Saturday morning as he poured his coffee.
“Just working on something,” he replied without looking up.
“What are you working on? Can I help?” I tried to sound casual, but he stiffened.
“No, it’s fine. It’s my project.”
Emily asks about his project, but Andrew brushes her off | Source: Pexels
This secrecy was unlike him. We shared everything, or so I thought. As weeks turned into months, my curiosity turned to frustration. I missed our time together. I missed him. Our once cozy weekends were now filled with silence and distance.
One night, as we were getting ready for bed, I couldn’t hold back anymore. “Andrew, why won’t you tell me what you’re working on?”
He sighed, turning away. “It’s nothing, Emily. Just let it be.”
Andrew’s evasiveness fuels Emily’s suspicions and anxiety | Source: Midjourney
I felt a knot tighten in my stomach. Something was wrong. Andrew’s evasiveness was driving me crazy. He’d leave the house in the morning, come back for meals, and then vanish again. His phone was always on silent, and he seemed distracted even when he was with me.
I started to notice little things. He’d come back with smudges of dirt on his clothes, but the garage itself was spotless when I peeked in. Tools were always in perfect order, not a speck of dust on his workbench. It didn’t add up.
Emily takes the garage key while Andrew sleeps | Source: Midjourney
One Saturday night, while he slept, I crept to his side of the bed. My heart pounded as I reached into the pocket of his jeans, which lay on the floor, and took out the garage key. I felt a pang of guilt but quickly brushed it aside. I needed to know what he was hiding.
The next morning, after he left for the garage, I went into action. I installed a discreet camera in a corner of the garage, hidden behind a stack of boxes. I synced it to my phone and waited. All day, I watched the screen, but nothing unusual happened. Just Andrew, working intently on what looked like a car’s alternator on his workbench.
A hidden camera reveals a mysterious woman entering the garage | Source: Pexels
But, that evening, I checked the feed again. My breath caught in my throat as I saw a tall woman with dark hair enter the garage via the front roller door. She and Andrew talked, laughed, and looked very happy together.
They seemed so comfortable around each other. My heart shattered. He was having an affair, I was sure of it. The realization hit me like a punch to the gut.
I watched them closely, noting every detail. She was beautiful, confident, everything I felt I wasn’t anymore. I couldn’t hear their conversation, but their body language spoke volumes.
Emily sees a beautiful woman with Andrew in the garage | Source: Midjourney
They were close, too close. My mind whirled with questions. Who was she? How long had this been going on? Why didn’t he just tell me?
When Andrew came back inside, I confronted him. “Who is she, Andrew?”
He looked confused. “What are you talking about?”
“The woman in the garage. I saw her.”
His face went pale. “Emily, it’s not what you think.”
“Then tell me what it is! Why are you hiding this from me?”
When Emily confronts him, Andrew’s confusion frustrates her even more | Source: Midjourney
He was silent, looking down at his feet. “I can’t,” he finally said, voice barely above a whisper.
“Why not? After all these years, you owe me an explanation.”
“Emily, please, just trust me.”
“Trust you? You’re asking me to trust you when I know you’re keeping secrets and sneaking around with another woman?”
“She’s not… it’s complicated.”
I couldn’t take it anymore. “I’m done, Andrew. Either you tell me the truth, or I walk out on you.”
Andrew’s refusal to explain leaves Emily determined to uncover the truth | Source: Midjourney
He didn’t say a word, just stood there, looking as lost as I felt. I turned away, feeling a tear slip down my cheek. I couldn’t believe this was happening to us. Our love, our life, crumbling because of secrets and lies.
As I lay in bed that night — I consigned Andrew to the sofa — I knew things would never be the same. I didn’t know what to do next, but I knew I couldn’t keep living in the dark. The truth had to come out, one way or another.
The next morning, I couldn’t hold back. As Andrew was heading to the garage, I blocked his path. “We need to talk,” I demanded.
Emily demands answers before Andrew escapes into the garage again | Source: Midjourney
He looked at me, eyebrows raised. “Emily, not now. I have to — “
“No,” I interrupted, “now. I saw her, Andrew. The woman in the garage. Who is she?”
Andrew stared at me for a moment, then to my surprise, he burst out laughing. Startled, I took a step back. “Why are you laughing? This isn’t funny!”
“Emily, you’ve got it all wrong,” he said, still chuckling. “Follow me.”
To Emily’s shock, Andrew laughs when she confronts him | Source: Midjourney
Reluctantly, I followed him to the garage. My heart pounded as he opened the door and led me inside. There she was, the tall woman with dark hair, bent over the engine of an old, classic Ford Mustang. She looked up and smiled warmly.
“Emily, meet Sarah, a very fine mechanic and an old friend from high school,” Andrew declared theatrically.
My confusion deepened. “What’s going on, Andrew?”
Andrew introduces Sarah, a mechanic and old friend | Source: Midjourney
Andrew sighed, his face softening. “Emily, Sarah, and I have been working on this car here for a charity raffle. It’s to raise funds for veterans, in honor of your dad. We wanted to surprise you and your dad with it as the centerpiece for the event.”
I felt my knees go weak. “A charity raffle?”
“Yes,” Sarah chimed in, wiping her hands on a rag. “Andrew told me how much your dad’s service meant to you. We thought this would be a great way to honor him and help other veterans.”
Andrew explains they are restoring an old Mustang for a veterans’ charity event | Source: Pexels
Tears welled up in my eyes. All my anger and suspicion melted away, replaced by overwhelming relief and pride. “I’m so sorry for doubting you, Andrew. I didn’t know — “
Andrew stepped closer, wrapping his arms around me. “It’s okay, babe. I should have told you, but I wanted it to be a surprise. I never meant to make you feel this way.”
I clung to him, tears streaming down my face. “Thank you. This means so much to me. To us.”
Relief and pride replace Emily’s earlier anger | Source: Pexels
From that day on, I joined Andrew and Sarah in the garage. The project became our shared endeavor. We spent weekends working on the car, the garage filled with the sound of laughter and the smell of grease.
Andrew showed me how to handle the tools, Sarah taught me about engines, and we bonded over stories about my dad and our family.
“Remember how my dad used to take us to those vintage car shows?” I said one Saturday, wiping sweat from my brow. “He always loved these classic Mustangs.”
Emily and Sarah spend weekends bonding | Source: Pexels
Andrew smiled, tightening a bolt. “Yeah, he’d be proud of this one. And of you.”
Our relationship transformed through this process. The weekends became more fulfilling than ever. We rediscovered our bond, our shared purpose giving new depth to our connection. Working together, side by side, we found a new rhythm.
The night before the raffle, we stood in the garage, looking at the finished car. It gleamed under the lights, a symbol of our hard work and renewed connection. “It’s beautiful,” I whispered.
Andrew squeezed my hand. “Just like us. We did this together, Emily. For your dad, for the veterans. For us.”
The restored Mustang symbolizing hard work and renewed connection | Source: Pexels
The raffle was a huge success. My dad’s eyes shone with pride when he saw the car, and the funds we raised made a significant impact for the veterans’ charity. I felt a deep sense of fulfillment, knowing we had done something meaningful together.
Reflecting on the journey from suspicion to understanding, I realized how much we had grown. Sometimes, the things that seem suspicious or worrisome at first can turn out to be the most beautiful surprises.
Andrew’s secret project was not just a hobby but a symbol of his love for our family and a cause dear to our hearts.
The restored Mustang became a symbol of our renewed connection and the beautiful surprises that life can hold. Andrew and I had faced a storm and emerged stronger, our bond unbreakable. And in that garage, we found not just an old car but a new beginning.
The charity raffle is a huge success | Source: Pexels
To anyone out there who feels like their relationship is in trouble, sometimes, all it takes is a little trust and a lot of love to see the truth behind the secrets. And sometimes, those secrets can turn into the most beautiful surprises of all.
If you enjoyed this story, here’s another one for you about a young daughter who accidentally exposed a secret a husband was keeping from his wife.
This work is inspired by real events and people, but it has been fictionalized for creative purposes. Names, characters, and details have been changed to protect privacy and enhance the narrative. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental and not intended by the author.
The author and publisher make no claims to the accuracy of events or the portrayal of characters and are not liable for any misinterpretation. This story is provided “as is,” and any opinions expressed are those of the characters and do not reflect the views of the author or publisher.
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