ThatsLife
  • WIN
  • News
  • Real Life
  • Food
  • Lifestyle
  • Pets
  • Your Stars
  • Puzzles
  • Podcasts
  • Video
ThatsLife
  • WIN
  • News
  • Real Life
  • Food
  • Lifestyle
  • Pets
  • Your Stars
  • Puzzles
  • Podcasts
  • Video
Subscribe
  1. Home
  2. Entertainment and Showbiz

Why I’m marrying a cheater

The Bride and Prejudice star reveals why she forgave her fiance. - by Sarah Firth
  • 12 Nov 2018

Melissa has forgiven her fiancé for his betrayal, but her family can’t forget...

Here, Melissa Moussie, 29, tells the story in her own words.

As the dark-haired man sat down next to me, I introduced myself. I’d noticed him around the office, but today he was using the desk next to mine. ‘I’m Aalden,’ he smiled.

As we got to know each other, I realised Aalden was like an open book.

‘I have to be careful about gambling,’ he explained, saying he’d sometimes got carried away at the pokies.

But now, he was recovering. It was refreshing to meet someone so honest.

first meet

Me and Aalden when we first met

Inviting him to my birthday drinks, I decided to seize the moment. Pulling Aalden towards me, I leaned in for a kiss.

Thankfully, he was thrilled. Turns out he fancied me too!

After that, we started dating and when I introduced him to my little girl, Mikayla, then five, they really hit it off.

‘He seems like The One!’ my mum, Jill, now 53, said. ‘You should marry him!’

My sister Rachael, 32, was a fan, too.

When I fell pregnant, just nine months after we started dating, we were both surprised but over the moon. Aalden was by my side as we welcomed little Coen into the world.

At first, we settled happily into family life. But slowly issues began to emerge.

fam photo

Me, Mikayla, Coen and Aalden

Having been betrayed in the past, I found myself worrying where Aalden was and what he was doing. ‘Will you be out tonight?’ I’d ask. ‘Yeah, I’m going to my mate’s place,’ he’d say.

I desperately wanted to trust him, but my anxiety got in the way. So I’d quiz him about his night.

Although he never got into debt or ate into our bill money, he sometimes lapsed with his addiction recovery and played the pokies.

He always felt genuine remorse afterwards, but things started to get rocky.

Aalden was hurt that I didn’t trust him, and I needed more reassurance. When we were both left devastated by the sudden death of a friend, things got tougher.

Then, one night, Aalden went for a drink with his mates. By the time I went to bed, he wasn’t home.Where is he? I thought as the hours ticked by. Had something terrible happened?

The next morning, he came home looking sheepish. Seeing his face, I knew the truth. He’s cheated on me, I realised, completely floored. ‘Do you want to explain?’ I asked him.

That’s when he admitted he’d spent the night with another woman.‘I’m sorry,’ he said.

He told me it was a huge mistake, but angry and hurt, I couldn’t believe his betrayal.

‘You have to move out,’ I told him.

We’d stay respectful for the children but I couldn’t be with him any more.

couple photo
Channel 7

When I told Mum and Rachael, they were outraged. ‘How could he do that to you?’ Mum said. ‘You deserve better,’ Rachael said.

As I nursed my bruised heart, Aalden and I still spent time together with the kids.

He’d come to their birthday parties and we’d take them to the park.

Despite everything, our old spark was still there. When we’re together, everything just feels right, I thought.

So, earlier this year, we decided to give it another go.

Sitting down with the kids, then aged 10 and three, we broke the good news.

‘We’re back together,’ I said, and they beamed in delight.

Rachael and Mum weren’t so pleased. They thought Aalden was a cheater and a gambler and that I should show him the door for good.

When he came to family events, it was awkward. They’d be civil to him, but they couldn’t understand why I wanted him back.

‘If he loved you, he wouldn’t have cheated,’ Rachael said.

It was one mistake, I thought. I’m over it, they should be too. I trust him.

Then, Aalden and I went out for a boat trip. Sitting side-by-side staring at the ocean, he started mumbling nervously.

‘You make me want to be a better person...’ he said. Then, he got down on one knee. ‘Will you do me the honour of being my wife?’ he asked. ‘Yes!’ I cried.

mother and sister

My mum Jill and my sister Rachael don't approve

Channel 7

It felt absolutely magical and I couldn’t wait to share our happy news. But Mum was upset.

‘This is insane,’ she said. ‘Melissa, what are you doing?’

I loved Aalden though and I knew in my heart we should be together.

Planning my wedding, I desperately wanted Rachael and Mum to support me. I loved them and wanted them by my side, and I dreamed of Rachael being my maid of honour.

So I decided to share my story on the TV show Bride & Prejudice.

Now, I’m hoping my family will be there when I say ‘I do’ to the man of my dreams. I’ve forgiven him, I hope they can too.

To see if they do, watch Bride & Prejudice, Mon. to Wed. at 7.30pm, on Channel Seven.

Read more in this week's issue of that's life, on sale now.

  • Real Life
  • Entertainment and Showbiz
Sarah Firth
Sarah Firth
Sarah Firth is deputy features editor for that’s life! and has written for the Nottingham Post, Chat magazine, that's life! in the UK, Kidspot and The Sun online.

Subscribe to That's Life!-+ save!

Subscribe to That's Life!

Subscribe Now
Subscribe to That's Life!

Subscribe to That's Life!-+ save!

Subscribe to That's Life!

Subscribe Now
Subscribe to That's Life!

Recommended to you

There's A Better, Faster Way To Predict Sepsis
Watch 0:37

There's A Better, Faster Way To Predict Sepsis

{headline}

{headline}

Mum’s shock confession: I fell in love with a teenager

Mum’s shock confession: I fell in love with a teenager

Bride & Prejudice: mother-in-law from hell calls her son's fiancee a 'slut' and says she smells like cats

Bride & Prejudice: mother-in-law from hell calls her son's fiancee a 'slut' and says she smells like cats

My Fitbit caught my cheating man!

My Fitbit caught my cheating man!

TV presenter doesn't realise everyone can see his bare legs

TV presenter doesn't realise everyone can see his bare legs

{headline}

{headline}

House Rules’ Carolyn Burns-McCrave’s top tips on preparing the family for renos!

House Rules’ Carolyn Burns-McCrave’s top tips on preparing the family for renos!

Meet the new House Rules teams!

Meet the new House Rules teams!

Pooch Perfect: First look at new series with Rebel Wilson as launch date revealed

Pooch Perfect: First look at new series with Rebel Wilson as launch date revealed

{headline}

{headline}

My hubby had a baby with our son's ex!

My hubby had a baby with our son's ex!

'I found a Valentine's card in the wardrobe': My toyboy had a secret wife!

'I found a Valentine's card in the wardrobe': My toyboy had a secret wife!

Married to me, engaged to my BEST MATE– how could he?

Married to me, engaged to my BEST MATE– how could he?

Hubby’s betrayal – he slept with my bestie as our baby lay dying

Hubby’s betrayal – he slept with my bestie as our baby lay dying

Why I invited my hubby’s mistress to Christmas dinner

Why I invited my hubby’s mistress to Christmas dinner

I had my hubby jailed for cheating – payback after 11 years of lies

I had my hubby jailed for cheating – payback after 11 years of lies

I slept with my friend's hubby while she minded my kids

I slept with my friend's hubby while she minded my kids

ThatsLife
  • Gold Club
  • Online Entry FAQ
  • About Us
  • Subscribe Today
  • Contact Us
  • Terms
  • Competitions
  • Privacy Policy
ThatsLife Magazine Subscribe
  • Gold Club
  • Online Entry FAQ
  • About Us
  • Subscribe Today
  • Contact Us
  • Terms
  • Competitions
  • Privacy Policy

Brands

  • New Idea
  • Who
  • Girlfriend
  • Practical Parenting

Our Network

  • Better Homes and Gardens
  • BHG Shop
  • marie claire
  • Beauty Crew
  • New Idea food
  • Women's Weekly Food
  • Bounty Parents
  • Home Beautiful
  • All Recipes
  • 7plus
  • 7News
  • Sunrise
  • Starts at 60
  • The West Australian
  • Perth Now
  • 7mate
  • 7Sport
  • Hard to Find
© 2022 Are Media PTY LTD
All products are independently selected, tested or recommended by our team of experts.If you buy something, we may earn an affiliate commission.
Get more from

Magazine Subscription Offer

Subscribe to That's Life!-+ save!

Shop This Offer
Subscribe to That's Life!