I Postponed My Wedding for My Fiancé’s Business Trip—Then I Caught Him in Town!

Six months ago, Chris got down on one knee in the park where we had our first date. He slipped a ring onto my finger, and I felt like life couldn’t get any better.

We chose a wedding date in late fall—on my birthday! It felt like fate, like my whole life had led to that moment.

Chris and I were opposites in the best way. He was a planner, always making lists and thinking ahead, while I was more of a dreamer, living in the moment. Together, we balanced each other.

At least, that’s what I thought.

One month before our wedding, everything changed. Chris’s boss gave him shocking news—he had to go on an important business trip.

On the same day as our wedding!

“It’s just three days, love,” Chris said, holding my hands. “I know this is hard, but this could mean a promotion. We could buy our dream home sooner, take a longer honeymoon… I wouldn’t ask if it wasn’t important.”

I was heartbroken. Who wouldn’t be?

But what choice did I have? I agreed to delay the wedding for a few weeks. I tried to act like it wasn’t a big deal.

“Fine,” I said. “I’ll call the vendors and tell everyone. You focus on work, and I’ll handle the rest.”

“I knew you’d understand,” he smiled.

Then my birthday arrived—the day we should have been getting married. Instead of getting ready, doing my hair and makeup, I was wandering the city alone.

My bridesmaids wanted to be with me, but I didn’t want company.

“Why are you acting like the wedding is canceled, Jen?” my friend Avery asked. “It’s just delayed.”

“I know,” I said. “But I can’t help feeling this way. I just… never mind.”

“You can talk to me,” she said.

“I don’t even know how to explain it,” I admitted. “I just feel empty. That’s all. I want to be alone today, but I’ll see you tomorrow.”

I ended the call and stepped outside. The chilly autumn air hit my face as I sipped my coffee, trying to ignore the ache in my chest.

I missed Chris. I missed him so much. And I missed what today was supposed to be.

I kept walking until I reached the edge of town. That’s when I saw a fancy hotel. I decided I needed a drink—something stronger than coffee—so I went inside.

The warm lobby was filled with quiet conversations and clinking glasses. I sat at the bar and ordered a drink. But before I could take a sip, I saw something shocking.

Chris.

Standing at the hotel reception.

In a suit. Talking to the concierge.

My heart stopped.

I blinked, thinking I was imagining things. Chris was supposed to be 500 miles away. What was he doing here?

I slapped some money on the bar and rushed toward the staircase where he had disappeared. My boots echoed as I ran up the steps, my heart racing.

“Chris!” I called. “What is going on? Why are you here?!”

He turned around, his face turning pale.

“Jen! Wait!”

“No!” I said, my voice shaking. “You lied to me! You said you were on a business trip! Are you… are you cheating on me?”

He held up his hands.

“No, Jen! I swear it’s not that. Just… come with me. I’ll explain everything.”

I followed him down the hall, my anger bubbling inside me. He stopped in front of a door and pulled out a keycard.

“What’s in there?” I asked. “Who’s in there?”

“Just trust me.”

He opened the door. I braced myself, expecting to see another woman.

But the room was empty.

Chris pointed to a chair.

“Sit down,” he said softly.

“Explain, Chris,” I demanded. “Right now.”

He sighed and ran a hand through his hair.

“Jen, I’ve been working on something for a long time. It’s about your mother.”

I froze.

“My mother?” I repeated.

He nodded. His voice shook a little.

“I know you don’t talk about her much, but I know how much it’s hurt you… not knowing why she left you at the hospital. Not knowing where she went or why.”

A lump formed in my throat.

“For three years, I’ve been trying to find her,” Chris continued. “I hired private investigators, searched records, and even ran DNA tests. And… I think I found her.”

My heart pounded.

“There’s a woman here. Her name is Margaret. She’s staying in this hotel. I didn’t tell you because I wasn’t sure. I didn’t want to get your hopes up if it wasn’t her. But a few weeks ago, we got confirmation. She’s been looking for you, Jen.”

Tears filled my eyes.

“You’ve been doing this for me? And you didn’t tell me?”

He stepped closer.

“I wanted to protect you. And… I wanted it to be a surprise for your birthday.”

I sank into the chair, my legs too shaky to hold me.

Two hours later, there was a knock on the door. My stomach flipped as Chris got up to answer it.

A woman walked in.

She was tall and graceful, with streaks of gray in her dark hair. Her piercing green eyes locked onto mine, and I felt like the air had been knocked out of me.

We stared at each other in silence.

Finally, she spoke.

“Jennifer?”

Hearing my name from her lips felt strange—both unfamiliar and familiar at the same time.

My hands trembled.

“You’re… my mother?”

Tears filled her eyes as she nodded.

“I think so,” she said. “But we can take a DNA test to be sure.”

“No,” I said firmly. “I don’t need a test. I know it’s you.”

It sounded crazy, but I could feel it. I could see it in her face.

She smiled, tears spilling down her cheeks.

“You look just like my mother,” she whispered. “I’ve been searching for you for so long.”

I blinked, confused.

“You’ve been looking for me?”

She nodded and sat down.

“It’s a long story,” she said. “Forty years ago, when I gave birth to you, there was a terrible mistake at the hospital. The nurse mixed up the babies… and I left with someone else’s child.”

My head spun.

“What?”

She shook her head, her face full of pain.

“I didn’t know the truth until years later. The daughter I raised… she passed away in a car accident. A DNA test revealed she wasn’t biologically mine. That’s when I started searching for you.”

Tears streamed down my face.

“But… my mother abandoned me at the hospital,” I whispered.

Her face crumpled.

“I know. I think the woman who was supposed to take you home ran away when she realized the mistake. I am so sorry, Jennifer.”

Chris put his arm around me, grounding me.

“You’re not alone anymore,” he whispered.

I looked at the woman in front of me—my mother. After years of questions, I finally had answers. And on my birthday, of all days.

“It’s the best gift I could have asked for,” I said softly.

Two weeks later, Chris and I finally had our wedding.

My mother sat in the front row, tears in her eyes as we said, “I do.”

For the first time in my life, I felt complete.