I FROZE when she said, “It’s all because of your mother,” Jane revealed. “She told me everything.”

“What do you mean?” I asked.

At the time, I saw Jane’s eyes fill up with tears.

“She told me about you and Lauren,” Jane began as her voice trembled. “Your best friend.”

“What? What did my mom say about Lauren?” I asked while squinting my eyes. I had no clue what Jane was talking about.

“She said you’ve been ch:eating on me with Lauren,” Jane announced, and a collective gasp rippled through the guests. “She said you two were having an affair and that you planned to leave me for her. That’s why I’m wearing black. To mourn the love we once had, Nathan.”

I couldn’t believe what Jane just said.

“This is not true, Jane,” I pleaded. “I swear I never ch:eat:ed on you. Lauren and I are just friends. I don’t know why my mom would say that.”

Desperate to spot my mother in the crowd, but she was nowhere to be seen. I wanted to confront her, to prove she was lying.

“I don’t believe you,” Jane said firmly. “I know you’re lying because that’s what you’ve always done.”

“Jane, please,” I begged, reaching for her hand, but she pulled away. “Mom never liked you. She’s trying to sabotage us. Please, you have to trust me.”

“Oh, I see. But it’s not just about the affair, Nathan,” Jane shook her head. “I know your secret. I know you’ve been lying to me.”

“What secret?” I asked.

Jane looked around the church and locked eyes with me.

“You lied about your family’s finances,” she spat. “You hid that your family is bankrupt, and you’re marrying me to use my money to save your business. Isn’t that true?”

Oh, no, I thought.

What Jane said was partly true, but I never wanted to reveal my secret like this. Yes, indeed, my family business wasn’t going well, and we were almost bankrupt. And yes, I thought marrying Jane would help, but I wasn’t marrying her for the money!

I loved her, so I decided to tie the knot with her. I had no idea how to explain this to her.

“Listen, Jane,” I said. “Let me explain, I—”

“Explain what?” she cut me off. “That your mother pressured you to find a wealthy woman to save the family business? She told me everything. I just can’t believe I was so dumb to fall in love with a man like you!”

At the time, I wanted to say so much. I wanted to explain that I wasn’t lying, but somehow, I couldn’t speak a word. I couldn’t say anything.

“It’s over, Nathan,” Jane declared before storming out of the church.

She walked away when the guests whispered among themselves. Meanwhile, my friends rushed over, but I couldn’t let her go like that. I had to make her understand.

“Jane, wait!” I shouted, running after her. “Please, just listen to me.”

“I don’t want to listen to your lies, Nathan,” she said without even turning around.

I walked and stood in front of her, blocking her path.

“I swear I’m not lying to you,” I protested. “I don’t know why Mom said all this to you, but I think that’s because she doesn’t like you. I never told you this but Mom wasn’t really happy with our relationship.”

“And why should I believe you, Nathan?”

Before I could answer, Lauren walked out of the church.

“Jane, listen,” she said. “I don’t know what your mother-in-law told you, but there’s nothing going on between us. Nathan is just a friend, and he loves you a lot. Trust me.”

Jane looked at Lauren, and then me. She wasn’t sure if she could trust us.

“Look, if I wanted to marry you for your money, I would’ve never signed the prenup,” I said, holding Jane’s hands. “I signed it because I wanted to protect your money and your future. I wouldn’t have done that if I had my eyes on your money.”

“But why did you hide your family’s financial situation?” she asked. “What if you’re hiding more? Why should I trust you?”

I took a deep breath.

“You’re right, Jane. I should’ve told you about my family’s situation, but I was scared you’d leave me.” I paused, realizing I needed to tell her the rest. “There’s something else I’ve never told you.”

Jane folded her arms as she waited for me to speak.

“My mom hates me,” I confessed. “She always has. Years ago, I took a DNA test when I was in college. I found out that my father wasn’t my biological father. When I confronted her, everything fell apart. Dad left us, taking all the money with him.”

“That’s why she lied to you,” I continued. “She wanted to ruin my wedding because she can’t stand seeing me happy. I guess she just pretended to accept you and was waiting for the right moment to ruin my relationship. I’m sorry for keeping all this from you. I was embarrassed.”

At that time, I could see that Jane wasn’t angry anymore. She had this look of sympathy on her face like she felt really bad for me.

“You didn’t tell me because you were embarrassed? She asked. “We were supposed to build a new life together, Nathan. But you were hiding so much from me. Do you think I can trust you after all this?”

I don’t like to admit this, but I knew Jane was right. I should’ve told her everything from the beginning.

“I’m sorry, Jane,” I said, looking down. “I know I’ve made mistakes, but I love you.”

“I’m sorry too, Nathan,” she looked away, wiping tears from her cheek. “I guess this is how it ends. This is how we part ways. I can’t live with someone who keeps secrets.”

And with that, the woman I adored the most, the love of my life, walked away from me.

Tears streamed down my cheeks as I watched her get into her car and drive away from the church. I couldn’t stop her because I knew she was right.

Since that day, my life has never been the same. While I confronted my mother and cut all ties with her, I also tried to call Jane a million times, but she never answered any of my calls.

I lost the love of my life because of lies, betrayal, and secrets I never should have kept.