Woman stayed with fiancé after he cheated less than four months before their wedding

People reports that Gabrielle, 27, went viral on TikTok after detailing why she stayed with her now-husband, Austin, 32, despite discovering he cheated less than four months before their wedding; she found out in late May 2021 and the couple married on Sept. 4, 2021, in Raleigh, North Carolina.

Gabrielle says she and Austin had been dating long-distance for nine months and engaged for 14 months when she noticed things felt different in April 2021. After confronting him in late May, he admitted to talking with a coworker; Gabrielle spoke with the woman, who told her “they were not intimate but they did kiss and hung out a handful of times” and sent screen recordings of their texts. Gabrielle says she met with Austin in person, considered calling off the wedding, but believed he was genuinely repentant and that God could help them heal, so they proceeded with the marriage.

She began individual betrayal trauma counseling in spring 2022—weekly for three months and a total of eight months—and says sessions that included Austin, plus open communication, phone transparency and deeper involvement in Bible study and church, helped their recovery; Austin also set up phone safeguards and joined a men’s accountability group. Gabrielle’s videos drew heavy criticism online, comments were turned off on the TikTok, and she says she understands negative reactions while sharing her experience to give hope to others.

Key Topics

Culture, Gabrielle, Austin, Tiktok, Raleigh, Betrayal Trauma Counseling