Relationships with siblings can be complicated. No one is able to push our buttons and support us quite like our brothers and sisters. But not every sibling relationship is civil—some sibling rivalries from childhood continue well into adulthood.\nWhen Meghan Reynolds told her parents she was getting married, she expected them to be there for her big day. Little did Meghan know that her strained relationship with her brother Frankie was about to ruin the wedding she always dreamed of. "],"image":{"name":"13f9bbqghog4fdkm.jpg","dimensions":{"desktop":{"width":720,"height":717},"mobile":{"width":400,"height":399}}}},{"text":["

Meghan Reynolds was born in a small town in upstate New York to Gail and Dylan Reynolds. The second child and the new baby of the family, Meghan was treated like royalty from the moment she was born. She was her parents' little princess, and it didn’t take long for her to get used to the attention.\nBeing the baby of the house had its perks—she was pampered, adored, and often got her way. To her, it felt natural, like it was the way things were supposed to be. But things weren't always easy for her older brother."],"title":"Meet Meghan Reynolds","image":{"name":"s6vgmtdwwftogity.jpg","dimensions":{"desktop":{"width":720,"height":716},"mobile":{"width":400,"height":398}}}},{"text":["

Her older brother Frankie didn’t appreciate the shift in attention. He was five years older than Meghan, and for those first five years, it was just him, soaking up all the love and attention from their parents. He was their world, and as any young child would, he loved every minute of it. But everything changed when Meghan came along. \nSuddenly, the spotlight wasn’t his anymore, and their parents seemed to focus all their energy on his baby sister. The tension between them was undeniable, and it was about to get even worse."],"title":"The Older Brother","image":{"name":"7k2qe4hq0kbrfk3e.jpg","dimensions":{"desktop":{"width":720,"height":718},"mobile":{"width":400,"height":399}}}},{"text":["

Meghan and Frankie were never close. As Meghan grew up, she continued to get most of their parents’ attention. It wasn’t her fault—her parents just seemed to dote on her more, worrying about her safety in a way they never did with Frankie. But instead of blaming their parents, Frankie directed all his frustration at Meghan. \nThey fought constantly—or worse, he would ignore her entirely. Meghan grew up knowing her brother hated her, though their parents seemed oblivious. Then, one day, Frankie left for college, and everything changed."],"title":"Sibling Rivalry","image":{"name":"1xk7mu7rkijcbysf.jpg","dimensions":{"desktop":{"width":720,"height":718},"mobile":{"width":400,"height":399}}}},{"text":["

Life became easier for Meghan once Frankie went off to college. The constant tension was gone, and for the first time, the house felt peaceful. But for her parents, it was the opposite. They missed him, and it showed. \nThey talked about him all the time, wondering why he never came home for holidays or breaks. Frankie always had some excuse to stay in his college town. Slowly, they began to question why their son didn’t want to see them anymore. Then, the final straw hit—the moment that changed everything."],"title":"Radio Silence","image":{"name":"guhfb015filogpfu.jpg","dimensions":{"desktop":{"width":720,"height":722},"mobile":{"width":400,"height":401}}}},{"text":["

Four years had passed, and the Reynolds had barely seen Frankie at all. They knew nothing about his studies or life. One day, while checking his university’s website, they stumbled upon the date of his graduation—something Frankie had never mentioned. They immediately called him, demanding to know why he hadn’t told them. That’s when it all came out. \nYears of pent-up resentment poured from Frankie over the phone, and Meghan watched as the color drained from her parent’s faces. It was as if something inside them shifted. Somehow, Meghan knew that a switch had been flipped and that things would never be the same."],"title":"The Graduation","image":{"name":"ay79vky569uqdi2a.jpg","dimensions":{"desktop":{"width":720,"height":718},"mobile":{"width":400,"height":399}}}},{"text":["

That next weekend, the Reynolds attended Frankie’s graduation, and Meghan stood off to the side as her parents and brother shared a tearful reunion. Her mom, through sobs, kept apologizing for everything—every mistake, every time they had neglected him. She kissed Frankie’s head, over and over, promising to make it up to him for the rest of their lives. \nIt should have been a heartwarming scene, where a whole family came back together, but Meghan wasn't involved in this embrace. As she watched from a distance, her eyes met Frankie’s. He didn’t cry or soften at all. Instead, he smirked right at her, a look that sent a chill down her spine."],"title":"Making Up For It","image":{"name":"lsyzpybrveuz6gyk.jpg","dimensions":{"desktop":{"width":720,"height":717},"mobile":{"width":400,"height":398}}}},{"text":["

Meghan’s mouth hung open in shock. Frankie’s smirk told her everything—he thought he had won. She knew they had never gotten along, and she genuinely believed their parents should make more time for him, but this was different. \nFrankie’s expression made it clear that he saw this as some kind of victory, as if he had been playing a game she wasn’t even aware of. Suddenly, a sinking feeling settled in Meghan’s stomach. Things were about to shift."],"title":"A Scheme","image":{"name":"6id3kjbtlp3go6p8.jpg","dimensions":{"desktop":{"width":720,"height":720},"mobile":{"width":400,"height":400}}}},{"text":["

Overnight, her parents were calling Frankie every other day, chatting with him about his life and planning trips together. It was like Meghan had become invisible, despite the fact that Frankie didn’t even live with them. Her school events went unnoticed, and they barely showed up to her high school graduation—rushing in at the last second.\nIt felt like whiplash, going from being the center of their world to being completely ignored by parents who once monitored and celebrated her every move. Going off to college was her opportunity to get some space. While she hoped things would go back to the way they were, they were about to get much worse."],"title":"Big Change","image":{"name":"ejgm1049v8n16cy7.jpg","dimensions":{"desktop":{"width":720,"height":721},"mobile":{"width":400,"height":400}}}},{"text":["

As Meghan’s time in college dragged on, communication with her parents dwindled. They stopped inviting her home for holidays and breaks, even when she reached out to ask if she could visit. Each time, she learned they were off visiting Frankie or planning trips that coincidentally fell on the same dates she wanted to come home.\nAt first, it seemed like a coincidence, but after a few times, it seemed more purposeful than not. She didn't know whether to blame her parents or her brother. Taking the hint, she stayed on campus during breaks, though it broke her heart to feel this shift. It was during one of these breaks that she met Zach."],"title":"Taking the Hint","image":{"name":"2705gqlekni505z1.jpg","dimensions":{"desktop":{"width":720,"height":714},"mobile":{"width":400,"height":397}}}},{"text":["

Meghan sat alone in the common room of her dorm over Thanksgiving, absorbed in a movie on the television. She barely registered when someone entered and asked if they could join her. With a half-hearted wave, she gestured for them to sit.
\nThe two watched the movie in silence for an hour, each lost in their own thoughts. When the credits rolled, Meghan finally turned and realized it was a boy she recognized from the dorms. He introduced himself as Zach and asked what she was doing there over the break. An easy conversation started—and continued on effortlessly for hours. Zach was about to change everything."],"title":"Over the Break","image":{"name":"xwexun1r0xtyj8ke.jpg","dimensions":{"desktop":{"width":720,"height":712},"mobile":{"width":400,"height":396}}}},{"text":["

As they talked, Meghan opened up about her family and why she was stuck at school over Thanksgiving. Zach listened without judgment, his expression warm and understanding. He explained his own family dynamic. Hours passed unnoticed and they got deeper into each other’s lives. It wasn't until light began to spill through the windows that they realized how late it had become. \nWhen they finally said goodbye, Meghan was reluctant to go. Zach must’ve felt the same way because he asked for her number. They exchanged phones, chuckling awkwardly, before finally leaving the common area. Little did they know, this was just the beginning of their story."],"title":"Open Ear","image":{"name":"8xzc4otv5ek8tq4u.jpg","dimensions":{"desktop":{"width":720,"height":710},"mobile":{"width":400,"height":395}}}},{"text":["

Before long, Meghan and Zach were officially dating, and it felt like the world had finally aligned for her. With both of them staying on campus during breaks and holidays, they had plenty of time to explore their connection. Late-night talks turned into shared meals and spontaneous adventures around town. \nThey became each other's biggest support systems. Falling in love felt easy and natural. Their college years flew by and as graduation approached, they made a big decision—to move in together. But first, they had to make it through their graduation ceremony."],"title":"A Relationship","image":{"name":"k7mwqzzcuk2o64pz.jpg","dimensions":{"desktop":{"width":720,"height":716},"mobile":{"width":400,"height":398}}}},{"text":["

Nearly two years had passed since Meghan had last seen her family, and the thought of her graduation ceremony filled her with a sense of curiosity and dread. She considered confronting them, much like Frankie had five years ago, but she couldn’t muster the energy—especially when they seemed so preoccupied the whole time they were at the ceremony. \nShe could deal with the lack of excitement and interest in her life. After all, she was used to it by now. But the final straw came when she introduced Zach to them—a moment that she would remember forever. "],"title":"The Ceremony","image":{"name":"6a6cy8j32g8no5s3.jpg","dimensions":{"desktop":{"width":720,"height":719},"mobile":{"width":400,"height":400}}}},{"text":["

After three years together, Meghan had hoped they would be interested in meeting her boyfriend, but their reaction told her everything. When she introduced him, they barely met his gaze, exchanging only polite smiles before scanning the crowd for Frankie. \nMeghan was silently fuming, but Zach remained calm, offering her a reassuring look that said he understood. They had both anticipated this kind of treatment, yet it didn’t lessen the sting. Still, it almost felt like closure, like a final goodbye to the life she once had. When she said bye to her parents that afternoon, she never expected things to get worse."],"title":"Proper Greeting","image":{"name":"27slenil3pcvwlhd.jpg","dimensions":{"desktop":{"width":720,"height":711},"mobile":{"width":400,"height":395}}}},{"text":["

While she grew further and further apart from her family, she and Zach grew closer. She made several attempts to reach out—calling her parents to invite them for dinner, suggesting they spend the holidays together, but there was always some elaborate excuse, some plan involving Frankie. Meghan couldn’t shake the feeling they were just making it up. \nEach rejection stung, but she tried not to let it show. Through it all, Zach was her rock, always there to lift her spirits. Then, one day, when she least expected it, Zach had an important question to ask her."],"title":"Deeper Bond","image":{"name":"wnuxwwjcy99xf8de.jpg","dimensions":{"desktop":{"width":720,"height":722},"mobile":{"width":400,"height":401}}}},{"text":["

It happened unexpectedly, a magical moment when Zach and Meghan were surrounded by close friends and a few family members in the cozy backyard of their house. Candles flickered, flowers adorned the scene, and Zach knelt down with that beaming smile she adored. \nMeghan couldn’t contain her joy, tears of happiness streaming down her face as she said “Yes”, pulling Zach into a tight embrace as cheers erupted around them. But as they celebrated, something nagged at her—she couldn’t shake the disappointment that her parents and brother weren't there. She wondered if it would ever get easier."],"title":"A Surprise","image":{"name":"tmxu8mb9041iyf1o.jpg","dimensions":{"desktop":{"width":720,"height":716},"mobile":{"width":400,"height":398}}}},{"text":["

Meghan had always heard that planning a wedding was stressful, but surprisingly, things came together without much trouble. They found a venue, picked a cake, and hired caterers—everything they needed for a beautiful yet affordable ceremony. \nOf course, she knew her parents wouldn’t be offering any financial help—they hadn’t even answered her call when she tried to share the news about her engagement. Still, there was no way they'd miss her wedding—would they?"],"title":"Planning the Wedding","image":{"name":"3uwml0wv05ujv2j0.jpg","dimensions":{"desktop":{"width":720,"height":718},"mobile":{"width":400,"height":399}}}},{"text":["

As the wedding started to get closer, an idea started to take shape in Meghan’s mind. Maybe her parents would eventually come to their senses, maybe they wouldn’t—but she knew she’d regret it if she didn’t at least try to get them there. \nShe talked it over with Zach, who gave her his approval with a reassuring nod. With their plan in motion, everything was set, and before they knew it, the big day had arrived. Meghan couldn't shake the feeling that this was her last shot at bringing her family together."],"title":"Getting Closer","image":{"name":"ihcmx0h1i1ve7jo4.jpg","dimensions":{"desktop":{"width":720,"height":723},"mobile":{"width":400,"height":402}}}},{"text":["

Though they never responded to the mailed invitation, Meghan knew her parents had saved the date. That was confirmed when her phone rang that exact morning. “Sweetheart, we’re at your brother’s launch event,” her mother chirped. “What launch event?” Meghan asked, her heart sinking. “He just invented a self-flying drone!” her mother exclaimed, full of pride.\n“Mom, my wedding is in an hour,” Meghan said, her voice barely holding together. “Can’t miss his big moment!” her mother replied. Meghan couldn’t help the sob that ripped out of her as she hung up. She wiped her tears and felt a smile come to her face. This was exactly what she’d planned for. "],"title":"Big Day","image":{"name":"sm07t0gt92kwrdho.jpg","dimensions":{"desktop":{"width":720,"height":716},"mobile":{"width":400,"height":398}}}},{"text":["

She went to Zach, and he pulled her into an embrace, gently wiping away her tears. They were both still in their pajamas. Meghan sniffled and giggled at the absurdity of it all, explaining her parents' decision to attend Frankie’s launch instead.\nZach listened, not surprised in the least. \"So, everything’s in place then?\" he asked, raising an eyebrow. Meghan’s eyes sparkled through her lingering sadness, a mischievous grin spreading across her face. \"Oh, it’s definitely in place,\" she responded. "],"title":"I Told You So","image":{"name":"aae9sbu4yv4cykqb.jpg","dimensions":{"desktop":{"width":720,"height":716},"mobile":{"width":400,"height":398}}}},{"text":["

Meghan's plan worked—she tricked them—the wedding had been planned for a day later than her parents thought. That morning, before she started getting ready, she sent her father a text: \"Guess what, Dad? I just talked to Frankie, and he told me about a gala event he’s invited to tonight. I was surprised to hear from him, but he asked me to let you know where to go. Dress nice.\"\nThen she sent a similar message to her brother. Satisfied with her plan, Meghan got in the car and drove to the venue. She hoped things would go exactly the way she’d planned."],"title":"Few Texts","image":{"name":"lqptwxzjfrnnm4tz.jpg","dimensions":{"desktop":{"width":720,"height":712},"mobile":{"width":400,"height":396}}}},{"text":["

The entire day was a whirlwind. After sending follow-up messages to her parents and brother, Meghan directed her attention to the task at hand. Makeup and hair artists arrived, transforming her into the bride she’d always wanted to be. \nAs the final touches were applied, she caught her reflection in the mirror and turned to her friends—who had become her true family over the years—with tears glistening in her eyes. “Let’s do this thing,” she said, her voice surprisingly steady. With a deep breath, Meghan stepped out, ready to see her husband-to-be. "],"title":"A Blur","image":{"name":"qhuekdraolekf2et.jpg","dimensions":{"desktop":{"width":720,"height":718},"mobile":{"width":400,"height":399}}}},{"text":["

The moment had finally arrived. The bridesmaids and flower girls walked down the aisle ahead of her. Then, the doors swung open, and Meghan saw Zach at the altar, a radiant smile lighting up his face. All she could see now was her future with the man she loved.\nShe took a deep breath, willing herself not to glance at the crowd in the pews, focusing solely on Zach. All that mattered was this moment and the love that awaited her at the end of the aisle. She wasn't prepared for the interruption that would break her out of her spell. "],"title":"The Big Moment","image":{"name":"sd564hx8s501oy2x.jpg","dimensions":{"desktop":{"width":720,"height":716},"mobile":{"width":400,"height":398}}}},{"text":["

As Meghan reached the altar, she grasped Zach’s hands, and for a moment, everything around them fell silent. It was just the two of them and her heart swelled with joy as she realized she was standing next to the perfect guy. Just as the officiant began to speak, the doors burst open. \nHeads turned, and Meghan's breath caught in her throat as she saw her mother, father, and brother stumble into the venue, looking flustered and out of breath. “What is this?” Frankie blurted out."],"title":"An Interruption","image":{"name":"swxghjaebgr94o96.jpg","dimensions":{"desktop":{"width":720,"height":735},"mobile":{"width":400,"height":409}}}},{"text":["

Zach turned to the officiant, asking him to pause before striding over to Meghan’s family. “We’re so glad you could join us! Your seats are right up here at the front,” he announced, leading them up the aisle. “But… but I thought your wedding was yesterday?” Frankie stammered. \n“Ah, Frankie, this is your sister’s wedding. Pull it together, will you?” Zach replied. Meghan’s parents and brother sat down in stunned silence. Zach rejoined Meghan at the altar, before turning back to the officiant. “You can continue now,” he said with a smile."],"title":"Please Be Seated","image":{"name":"kdf66v8vz3cnl03b.jpg","dimensions":{"desktop":{"width":720,"height":714},"mobile":{"width":400,"height":396}}}},{"text":["

The ceremony was breathtaking, filled with tears and laughter as vows were exchanged. It was everything Meghan had dreamed of, and before she knew it, they were slipping on the rings and being pronounced husband and wife. Cheers erupted from the crowd as they made their way down the aisle.\nIn the midst of the excitement, Meghan almost forgot her family was present—until she spotted them a little later, sitting stiffly at the reception, looking awkward. Taking a deep breath, she approached them."],"title":"The Ceremony","image":{"name":"gwyx6b0ycg3krgw9.jpg","dimensions":{"desktop":{"width":720,"height":712},"mobile":{"width":400,"height":396}}}},{"text":["

“I’m glad you guys could make it to my wedding after all. I know you actively tried to avoid it,” Meghan said, trying to keep her voice steady. “Honey, how can you say that? We wanted to, of course, we just…” her mother’s voice trailed off as she registered the look on Meghan’s face.\n“It’s been a long time since we saw each other, though not for my lack of trying. I just thought you’d regret missing my wedding, so I sent you the invitation with the wrong date. Luckily, you guys did exactly what I expected you to. Hey, I’m just glad you answered my texts,” she said. The weight of Meghan’s words hung in the air. She watched her parents exchange uncertain glances."],"title":"Let’s Talk About It","image":{"name":"n01zie1ylwd714ho.jpg","dimensions":{"desktop":{"width":720,"height":717},"mobile":{"width":400,"height":399}}}},{"text":["

“Meghan, I’m not sure what to say… I’m not exactly sure when our family became like this,” her dad admitted. Next to him, her mom's eyes shimmered with tears. “I’m so sorry. We never knew how to balance the needs of both children at the same time,” she muttered.\nThen there was Frankie—silent, as usual. It was clear that coming to his sister's wedding hadn’t changed the aversion he’d had towards her for as long as she could remember. “I’m glad you all came. I’d love to have a relationship with you, but that has to come from you,” Meghan said, forcing a smile. “Enjoy the evening,” she continued. With that, she turned and walked away, determined to find her husband and celebrate their big day."],"title":"An Apology","image":{"name":"b6f9mghb5qi8zzit.jpg","dimensions":{"desktop":{"width":720,"height":719},"mobile":{"width":400,"height":400}}}},{"text":["

When Meghan's parents were planning on missing her wedding, she could have let it ruin the most important day of her life. We're glad she found a way to have her family there with her. \nWhile one wedding isn't going to change a lifetime of family drama, it's a good start to mending the broken relationship. We hope this moment helps pave the way for forgiveness and healthier relationships for the Reynolds family. We wish the newlyweds a lifetime of happiness as they begin their new journey as husband and wife. "],"title":"Looking to the Future","image":{"name":"9v3msd4xsdnsk1ml.jpg","dimensions":{"desktop":{"width":720,"height":716},"mobile":{"width":400,"height":398}}}}]}; window.__cf = (window.__cf || {}); window.__cf.nextArticleData = {"meta":{"id":"cms-11031","title":"Parents Abruptly Leave Daughter’s Wedding, They Reappear 5 Years Later With a Surprising Request","code":"paran","category":"Story","subCategory":"Community,Fiction","lang":"en","version":"shz","fullCode":"paranenshz","lastTimePublished":"2024-05-22_14-15","createdAt":"2024-03-26T14:51:49.501Z","date":"2024-05-22","author":"Lani A","nextArticle":{"id":"cms-10217"},"originalSite":"bobshideout.com"},"blocks":[{"text":["

Family dynamics are often complicated. Many of us devote so much of our lives trying to impress our parents. But what happens when the person you fall in love with is met with disapproval from your family?\nWhen Elise met Marcus, she knew he was the one, but her overprotective parents weren’t so sure. After they abruptly left her wedding and cut off all contact, she thought their relationship was over. She never anticipated that they would burst back into her life five years later and change everything.",""],"image":{"name":"npiah19cemfnutfs.jpg","credit":"Image is for illustration purposes only","dimensions":{"desktop":{"width":720,"height":718},"mobile":{"width":400,"height":399}}}},{"text":["

Life for Elise Parker had been a rollercoaster from the very beginning. Born and raised in Sacramento, California, Elise was the youngest of two daughters. Her parents, Carolyn and Mike, had always been incredibly overprotective of both children, and they instilled in them a sense of responsibility and deep respect for the rules from a young age. \nLily, was two years older than Elise, and the epitome of perfection. She excelled in everything she did, setting a high standard for her sister to live up to—but Elise embraced the challenge. Together, the Parkers appeared to be the quintessential cookie-cutter family, living in their suburban home in a quiet neighborhood. However, their idyllic life was about to be shattered by a sudden tragedy."],"title":"Meet Elise Parker","image":{"name":"5euldj6z8mlqrtz8.jpg","credit":"Image is for illustration purposes only","dimensions":{"desktop":{"width":720,"height":748},"mobile":{"width":400,"height":416}}}},{"text":["

Everything changed for the Parkers when Lily unexpectedly passed away from an illness, right before she was due to leave for college. Her passing left a void that could never be filled, and Elise had trouble dealing with the loss of the most important person in her life. \nWhile navigating the regular struggles of adolescence, she also felt the weight of being the only remaining daughter and the pressure to live up to her parent’s expectations in her sister’s memory. Carolyn and Mike were great parents, but following Lily’s passing, they became even more overprotective of Elise than before. They became hyper-vigilant, constantly worrying about her safety and well-being, and imposing even stricter rules and boundaries. Naturally, Elise started to rebel."],"title":"Devastation Hits","image":{"name":"k5orf2449eaacjkg.jpg","credit":"Image is for illustration purposes only","dimensions":{"desktop":{"width":720,"height":720},"mobile":{"width":400,"height":400}}}},{"text":["

While their intentions were pure, wanting to keep their daughter out of trouble after such a tough period, their protectiveness only pushed Elise away. She longed for a sense of freedom, feeling stifled by their rules. \nElise began to rebel in small ways, sneaking out of the house and doing things behind their backs to prove she still had independence. Amongst it all, Elise still yearned for her parents' approval. So, she decided to buckle down in her last year of high school, applying to study Business Administration at a college as far away as possible. While it wasn't easy for her parents to come to terms with the fact that she’d be leaving home, she was determined to have a fresh start."],"title":"Pushed to Rebel","image":{"name":"plvgwo7c2bm8giis.jpg","credit":"Image is for illustration purposes only","dimensions":{"desktop":{"width":720,"height":731},"mobile":{"width":400,"height":406}}}},{"text":["

Once she made it to college, Elise embraced the newfound freedom that came with living away from home. She found the perfect balance between studying hard and enjoying the social side of college life, partying every weekend and making new friends. Elise had never let her hair down like this before.\nHowever, there was one aspect of her life where she still stayed cautious—relationships. Elise had never been in a relationship before, and deep down, she still harbored her parents' expectations about dating. Plenty of guys would show interest, but Elise would pull away and cut things off before they could come close to getting serious. There was something always holding her back."],"title":"Work Hard, Play Hard","image":{"name":"yxkxowzl24zt7rqv.jpg","credit":"Image is for illustration purposes only","dimensions":{"desktop":{"width":720,"height":720},"mobile":{"width":400,"height":400}}}},{"text":["

Elise had been too scared to bring a boy home during high school, knowing exactly how her parents would react. Now that she was older, no matter how hard she tried to rebel, Elise was still fearful of disappointing her parents or straying too far from the values they instilled in her. \nInstead of getting caught up in dating, she decided to put all her energy into her studies and extracurriculars, finding a new interest in the world of tech. Elise set her sights on moving to Chicago after graduating, to pursue a career in a tech company. This would be the perfect way to start making a name for herself. If only she knew how it would turn out."],"title":"New Direction","image":{"name":"trb8v6kmawmqeqqs.jpg","credit":"Image is for illustration purposes only","dimensions":{"desktop":{"width":720,"height":718},"mobile":{"width":400,"height":399}}}},{"text":["

With her renewed sense of determination, Elise found a small apartment in the River North area and started the process of applying for jobs soon after graduating. She learned that entering the world of Tech was far more difficult than she ever imagined, but every rejection and awkward interview only pushed her further in the direction she knew she was destined to be going in. \nElise interviewed at several companies, each one offering unique opportunities, but none of them seemed to resonate with her. Just when she seemed to be losing her patience with the entire process, she showed up for one last interview. Something about this one felt different."],"title":"Big Moves","image":{"name":"zbjhluru5r38tj3q.jpg","credit":"Image is for illustration purposes only: Photo by Damir Kopezhanov on Unsplash","dimensions":{"desktop":{"width":720,"height":671},"mobile":{"width":400,"height":372}}}},{"text":["

As she sat nervously in the meeting room waiting to meet with the Vice President of Operations, Marcus Jenkins, Elise could already picture her day-to-day life working there. While the role of Assistant was not exactly the high-powered position she initially aspired to, Elise couldn’t deny that the opportunity to work with someone at Marcus’ level was too good to pass up. \nIt would be her first real job, in a well-known company, and starting as an assistant would allow her to network her way up the corporate ladder. Besides, he seemed nice, and she couldn’t deny that her potential new boss was easy on the eyes. What could possibly go wrong?"],"title":"Meeting Marcus","image":{"name":"zlgyz5hf6bnrzom4.jpg","credit":"Image is for illustration purposes only","dimensions":{"desktop":{"width":720,"height":716},"mobile":{"width":400,"height":398}}}},{"text":["

Marcus was an incredibly impressive man in the business world, and luckily for Elise, she impressed him from the moment their interview began. He knew that he’d be spending a lot of time with whoever he hired as his assistant, so it was important to find someone who was not only well-qualified, but had a personality to mesh with his own. Elise, with her quick wit and sharp mind, soon proved to be the perfect fit. \nAs Elise settled into the company, she found her rhythm and Marcus gave her insights into the world of tech from a high-up perspective. Not only did they work well together, but they developed a genuine friendship, making sure to keep things strictly professional. But how long would this last?"],"title":"He’s the Boss","image":{"name":"n0nc7rhacp95u4ki.jpg","credit":"Image is for illustration purposes only","dimensions":{"desktop":{"width":720,"height":720},"mobile":{"width":400,"height":400}}}},{"text":["

Over the next year, Elise began working her way up through the company under Marcus’ mentorship. It wasn’t unusual for him to share parts of his personal life with Elise, sometimes venting about his girlfriend, and Elise would offer all the advice she could muster for someone who’d never been in a relationship before.\nAs they worked closely together, there was an unspoken vibe between them, a mix of mutual respect and something a little more flirtatious, though it was never anything too obvious. Besides, Marcus was in a relationship—and he was her boss, after all. However, this was all about to change."],"title":"Climbing the Ladder","image":{"name":"cqeopa0rv4846jy1.jpg","credit":"Image is for illustration purposes only: Photo by Christina @ wocintechchat.com on Unsplash","dimensions":{"desktop":{"width":720,"height":565},"mobile":{"width":400,"height":314}}}},{"text":["

One day, Marcus came into work in a terrible mood, and after ignoring it all morning, he finally confided in Elise that he’d ended things with his girlfriend. From what Elise knew, it looked like it was for the best, and Marcus was more upbeat in the months that followed than ever before.\nAs time went on, though, the pair were closer than ever. Their dynamic seemed to have shifted subtly, and there was increasingly flirtatious tension lingering between them. Elise wasn’t sure if something was going on between them, or if she was imagining it all. The only thing she knew for sure was that she loved her job, and would never want to do anything to jeopardize it. So, she tried her best to ignore it."],"title":"Vibe Shift","image":{"name":"vj7i0q5xg61zs6nv.jpg","credit":"Image is for illustration purposes only","dimensions":{"desktop":{"width":720,"height":749},"mobile":{"width":400,"height":416}}}},{"text":["

Elise was coming up on her third anniversary at the company, and as hard as she tried to push it down, the flirty undercurrent between her and Marcus was becoming more difficult to ignore. What had started as a subtle flirtation had evolved into something deeper, and neither of them could deny it any longer. \nThey found themselves drawn to each other in ways that went beyond their professional relationship, but both Elise and Marcus knew what people would say if they ever actually got together. If it wasn’t undermining Elise’s business skills because she was with her boss, it would be that Marcus was taking advantage of her. Whatever it was, it wouldn’t be good—and Elise dreaded to think what her parents would say."],"title":"People Will Talk","image":{"name":"4yeq0x9n6r52yq0n.jpg","credit":"Image is for illustration purposes only","dimensions":{"desktop":{"width":720,"height":718},"mobile":{"width":400,"height":399}}}},{"text":["

Despite the risks, there came a point where the two of them decided that giving in and exploring their connection would be worth it. Elise and Marcus knew that if they were going to pursue a romantic relationship, they had to do it the right way. \n“If we’re going to do this, I want it all to be above board. I’m not risking my job or career for you, or anyone,” Elise told Marcus sternly. He agreed with her, and the pair set up a meeting with the HR department to figure out what their options were. Elise was terrified that everything was going to change. She had no idea what was on the horizon."],"title":"Giving In","image":{"name":"f5i9cms1a1bi4lxt.jpg","credit":"Image is for illustration purposes only: Image by Milkos/Depositphotos","dimensions":{"desktop":{"width":720,"height":560},"mobile":{"width":400,"height":311}}}},{"text":["

From the moment they finished that meeting, everything happened in a whirlwind. Elise was reassigned to a new department and Marcus got a new assistant, which was bittersweet for the pair. They didn’t want to waste any more time, so Elise soon moved into Marcus’ apartment. Though they already knew everything about each other, it only deepened their connection. \nElise and Marcus snuck every moment together that they could, eating lunch at work and taking coffee breaks even though they now worked on opposite ends of the building. Everything was coming up roses, but little did they know, they were about to face their biggest challenges yet."],"title":"Perfect Pair","image":{"name":"nfqbzugxg3bca41e.jpg","credit":"Image is for illustration purposes only","dimensions":{"desktop":{"width":720,"height":579},"mobile":{"width":400,"height":322}}}},{"text":["

Elise started noticing strange behavior from her new boss, who seemed to be undermining her at every turn. The stress of the situation was starting to take its toll on her, and she debated leaving the company. Very quickly, though, her job became the least of her worries because one day, out of the blue, Elise discovered she was pregnant. \nShe and Marcus were shocked, to say the least, but still over the moon to be taking the next step in their relationship. Marcus added to Elise’s shock when he looked down at the pregnancy test and simply uttered, “Should we just get married?”"],"title":"Stressful Surprise","image":{"name":"fzvavdilw9b119qv.jpg","credit":"Image is for illustration purposes only: Photo by SHVETS production/Pexels","dimensions":{"desktop":{"width":720,"height":584},"mobile":{"width":400,"height":325}}}},{"text":["

Elise and Marcus were private people, and they’d been so caught up in the whirlwind of their love story that they’d never actually shared their relationship with anyone at work, keeping it only to their closest friends. Elise had certainly not told her parents because she knew exactly what they’d say about her dating her boss, even if he wasn’t her boss anymore. \nShe’d never opened up to her parents about her dating life before, mostly because there was nothing to share. But she knew that she wanted them at her wedding, which meant she would have to find a way to tell them everything. She was terrified."],"title":"Facing Fears","image":{"name":"yic7mn90p8c99i0u.jpg","credit":"Image is for illustration purposes only","dimensions":{"desktop":{"width":720,"height":720},"mobile":{"width":400,"height":400}}}},{"text":["

After deciding to catch her parents up on the past five years of her life, Elise lost sleep for weeks about how she would explain the major events that they’d missed. She decided to be mostly honest, preparing to explain how it was all strictly professional until it wasn’t, but the second they gave into their connection they went to HR. \nElise made it clear that Marcus was a good man, and she was confident that once her parents met him, his kind-hearted nature would speak for itself. Though it was tough to keep more secrets from them, Elise did not mention the baby—she knew that so many bombshells at once would break them. But that wasn't the only thing she kept from them."],"title":"Confessing Almost Everything","image":{"name":"pdw38nezl0iaomzf.jpg","credit":"Image is for illustration purposes only","dimensions":{"desktop":{"width":720,"height":720},"mobile":{"width":400,"height":400}}}},{"text":["

She also failed to mention that she’d planned to quit her job because it would be too much for them to handle. Besides, Elise knew they’d be angry, even though she felt it was the right decision since she’d have to take time off for the wedding and maternity leave. Getting away from her horrible boss was a bonus, but her parents didn’t need to know any of that yet.\nIt was a lot for Elise's parents to take in, and to say they were shocked would be an understatement. But Elise didn’t exactly give them much time to take in the news because the wedding was only two weeks away. She planned to deal with all inevitable questions and drama in the aftermath, once she’d tied the knot. If only she knew what was to come."],"title":"Chaotic Spiral","image":{"name":"omgufcrskviu0cm1.jpg","credit":"Image is for illustration purposes only","dimensions":{"desktop":{"width":720,"height":726},"mobile":{"width":400,"height":404}}}},{"text":["

The day of the wedding arrived, and Elise was wracked with nerves and excitement. Marcus had spared no expense, creating a beautiful spectacle that surpassed all of Elise’s wildest dreams. In a brief moment before the ceremony, Elise's mom pulled her daughter aside, looking concerned. \n“Are you sure about all this, Elise? It’s not too late to back out,” she asked. \"Mom, I have never been more sure about anything in my life. Marcus means everything to me,” Elise reassured her. Her comment filled Elise with even more nerves, but the moment she walked down the aisle next to her father, and locked eyes with Marcus, all her worries melted away."],"title":"Not Too Late","image":{"name":"zn4l0olg8ticenbt.jpg","credit":"Image is for illustration purposes only","dimensions":{"desktop":{"width":720,"height":697},"mobile":{"width":400,"height":387}}}},{"text":["

Elise stood in front of her beloved guests, draped in a gorgeous flowy dress to conceal her early pregnancy. As she looked at Marcus, the love of her life, she knew that this was exactly where she wanted to be—though her mother’s words still rang out in the back of her mind.\nOnce they’d both said their “I do’s”, the wedding party traveled together to the second location to continue the celebrations. Elise and Marcus were surrounded by love as they danced and toasted, but as the night wore on, Elise made a shocking realization—her parents were nowhere to be seen. ","",""],"title":"Good Until it Wasn’t","image":{"name":"jrig1gdwlw9gjet6.jpg","credit":"Image is for illustration purposes only","dimensions":{"desktop":{"width":720,"height":761},"mobile":{"width":400,"height":423}}}},{"text":["

She began to ask around her friends if anyone had seen them, confused to discover that the last time anyone spoke to them was at the ceremony—they hadn’t even shown up to the reception. Confused and hurt, Elise tried to call them, but her calls went unanswered. She continued celebrating, hoping that they’d just got tired and left without saying goodbye, though that wasn’t like them at all. \nWhen the newlyweds finally got home at the end of the night, Elise called and messaged again, only to find that they didn’t even go through. Her blood froze as she discovered that she’d been blocked on everything."],"title":"Irish Goodbye","image":{"name":"zttyel3pu19t53te.jpg","credit":"Image is for illustration purposes only: Photo by Jae Park on Unsplash","dimensions":{"desktop":{"width":720,"height":520},"mobile":{"width":400,"height":288}}}},{"text":["

Elise broke down in tears. She didn’t understand what was going on, or why the only way she was still able to contact her parents was through email. She was still on a high from her wedding celebration, but this had brought her crashing back down.\nHad they found out about the pregnancy somehow? Had they not liked Marcus? The only thing Elise could think to do was send her parents a long email explaining that she knew her decisions might not align with their expectations, but she hoped they would eventually accept and support her choices. She ended the email explaining that she was taking time to heal, but when they were ready to talk, she would be there to listen. "],"title":"No Contact","image":{"name":"2vl227mrxnvsd2vk.jpg","credit":"Image is for illustration purposes only","dimensions":{"desktop":{"width":720,"height":720},"mobile":{"width":400,"height":400}}}},{"text":["

Expecting them to come around the way they usually did, Elise tried to put the entire ordeal out of her mind as she and Marcus embarked on their honeymoon celebration. It wasn’t long after they returned that she was welcoming their first child together, a beautiful daughter whom they named Clara. \nDespite the joy of new parenthood, Elise couldn't shake the sadness of her parents' absence. She never imagined raising a child without her mom by her side, but Marcus supported her every step of the way and together they made a perfect team. However, months turned into a year, and there was still no word from Elise's parents."],"title":"Missing Milestones","image":{"name":"104td4liceyb17cf.jpg","credit":"Image is for illustration purposes only","dimensions":{"desktop":{"width":720,"height":720},"mobile":{"width":400,"height":400}}}},{"text":["

It didn’t take long for Elise to realize that her parents were serious about cutting themselves out of her life. But in their absence, time seemed to fly, and before Elise knew it, she was welcoming her second child into the world—a son named Avery.\nElise embraced every moment of motherhood, cherishing her role as a stay-at-home mother. When hers and Marcus’ fifth wedding anniversary came around, they posted a heartfelt message on social media, reflecting on their journey together and their happiness with Clara and Avery in their lives. That evening, Elise received a voicemail message that made her fall to the ground in shock. "],"title":"Celebrating Publicly","image":{"name":"b2efryrxl43cv7vi.jpg","credit":"Image is for illustration purposes only: Photo by Brett Jordan on Unsplash","dimensions":{"desktop":{"width":720,"height":540},"mobile":{"width":400,"height":300}}}},{"text":["

“Hi, Elise, honey…it’s your mom and dad here,” the message began. Elise listened in stunned silence as her parents’ words rang through the house. They explained that they’d seen her post and were shocked to see that they had grandchildren. There was no hint of an apology, just a simple request—they wanted to meet their grandkids.\nElise didn’t know how to feel, or how to respond, if she even should. She couldn’t believe that her own parents had abandoned her on her wedding day, only to come back without an ounce of remorse for how they’d acted. She played the message three more times over, and desperately called Marcus to ask him what she should do."],"title":"Back With a Request","image":{"name":"b4qslkxasiqouhs5.jpg","credit":"Image is for illustration purposes only","dimensions":{"desktop":{"width":720,"height":720},"mobile":{"width":400,"height":400}}}},{"text":["

After a tough conversation with her husband, Elise knew that it wouldn’t be right to just ignore her parents’ message forever. Though they had caused her major hurt, she still wanted to be the bigger person and give them the chance to explain themselves. \nIt took her a week to come to terms with the idea of having them back in her life, but finally, Elise mustered up the courage to confront them. She emailed asking to set up a video call, and before she knew it, she was sitting with her laptop at the kitchen table, waiting for them to join the call. She even made notes of what to ask them. She nervously chewed her pen as they came on screen."],"title":"Being the Bigger Person","image":{"name":"wbbll28qssr11rb0.jpg","credit":"Image is for illustration purposes only: Photo by Paulina Chmolowska on Unsplash","dimensions":{"desktop":{"width":720,"height":770},"mobile":{"width":400,"height":428}}}},{"text":["

Elise was the first one to break the awkward silence. She cut right to the chase. “Mom, Dad, I need to know why you left my wedding. Why did you disappear, and ignore us for so long? You will never understand the hurt you caused me—we were supposed to be a family,” Elise explained, through tears, as she held Marcus’ hand for support.
\nHer parents looked somber and her dad spoke first, his voice filled with regret. “When you told us you were marrying your boss, it shattered our world, honey. It just wasn’t what we had in mind for your future, and we were worried you were going down the wrong path. Actually, could Marcus step out for a second?” he asked."],"title":"The Confrontation","image":{"name":"ged90ifdwst7g7cx.jpg","credit":"Image is for illustration purposes only","dimensions":{"desktop":{"width":720,"height":752},"mobile":{"width":400,"height":418}}}},{"text":["

Confused, Marcus left the family to it. “I was horrified at the thought that Marcus might have been taking advantage of you. Instead of communicating that, I let my fear and worry cloud my judgment, and I realize now that we did the wrong thing by disappearing from your life. But it’s been so long and we really don’t want to miss any more. Please forgive us,\" her mom begged.\nElise had waited so long to hear their side of the story, and now that she was hearing it, she wasn't sure how to feel. But deep down, she knew that she did want to rebuild their relationship, for her sake and for the sake of her children. "],"title":"Explanation at Last","image":{"name":"ffskytziowgwi6uv.jpg","credit":"Image is for illustration purposes only","dimensions":{"desktop":{"width":720,"height":720},"mobile":{"width":400,"height":400}}}},{"text":["

Elise gathered her thoughts before speaking. \"Mom, Dad, I want you to know that I am happier than I’ve ever been in my life. I was always safe and in control of my relationship, and Marcus never ever took advantage of me. I wish you’d have given him a chance so you could see for yourselves,” she said.\nAt that moment, Marcus came back into the room, and Elise’s parents greeted him this time with kind smiles—it was clear they showed remorse and wanted to make things right. Together, they all planned a meeting in Chicago over the holidays so they could reunite in person, and so they could finally meet their grandchildren."],"title":"Fresh Start","image":{"name":"i2uut90yf3a20q59.jpg","credit":"Image is for illustration purposes only: Photo by Oskar Kadaksoo on Unsplash","dimensions":{"desktop":{"width":720,"height":480},"mobile":{"width":400,"height":267}}}},{"text":["

Elise Parker risked losing so much in the pursuit of her dream relationship with Marcus. The last thing she expected was to lose her relationship with her own parents, on what was supposed to be the happiest day of her life. \nWe are glad Elise was able to patch things up with her parents after all these years. Though it would still take time to heal, we hope the meeting with their grandchildren goes well. Maybe then, they can put their tumultuous past behind them to build a more harmonious future."],"title":"Looking to the Future","image":{"name":"x8yo1s3lb2r6as6l.jpg","credit":"Image is for illustration purposes only","dimensions":{"desktop":{"width":720,"height":667},"mobile":{"width":400,"height":371}}}}]}; window.pbjs = window.pbjs || {}; window.pbjs.que = window.pbjs.que || []; window.pbjs.que.push(function() { const enabledBidders = { "vidartb": true, "33across": false, "medianet": true, "sharethrough": false, "grid": false, "onetag": false, "triplelift": false, "nextmillennium": true, "vidazoo": true, "pubmatic": true, "rubicon": true, "seedtag": true, "outbrain": true, "openx": false, "rise": true, "underdogmedia": false, "appnexus": true, "criteo": true, "pgamssp": true, "imds": false, "teads": false, "vidartb_s2s": true, "33across_s2s": true, "medianet_s2s": true, "sharethrough_s2s": true, "grid_s2s": true, "onetag_s2s": true, "triplelift_s2s": true, "nextmillennium_s2s": true, "vidazoo_s2s": true, "pubmatic_s2s": true, "rubicon_s2s": true, "seedtag_s2s": true, "outbrain_s2s": true, "openx_s2s": true, "rise_s2s": true, "underdogmedia_s2s": true, "appnexus_s2s": true, "criteo_s2s": true }; window.pbjs.onEvent('beforeRequestBids', function(adUnits) { for (var iAdUnit = 0; iAdUnit < adUnits.length; iAdUnit++) { adUnits[iAdUnit].bids = adUnits[iAdUnit].bids.filter(function(bid) { if (enabledBidders[bid.bidder.toLowerCase() + (bid.bidSource && bid.bidSource.server === 100 ? 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