From: Emy

Subject: Did I Overreact by Walking Out on My Fiancé After Hearing a Phone Call About Christmas Plans?

I (29F) have been with my fiancé, Mark (34M), for two years, and we got engaged this summer. I was excited for our first Christmas together, especially since Mark has a young daughter, Ella (6F), from his previous marriage. I understood that Ella comes first, and I’ve tried to bond with her.

I planned a cozy Christmas Eve dinner, thinking we’d celebrate together before he spent Christmas with Ella. A week before, he told me he would spend Christmas with his ex-wife and Ella, as they’ve done every year for her stability. I felt blindsided but stayed quiet.

On Christmas Eve, I overheard him on the phone with his ex-wife, planning to stay over at her house and exchange gifts as a “complete family” without me. He admitted they didn’t want to upset me, so they kept it a secret. I felt betrayed, and when I confronted him, he became defensive.

I left for my sister’s house, but Mark has been calling, saying I ruined Christmas for Ella and overreacted. I’m starting to question if I was wrong for leaving him to spend Christmas with his ex.