Brian and I went to our favorite fine-dining restaurant to celebrate our sixth anniversary. He seemed unusually nervous, and I couldn’t figure out why. “Is something wrong, Brian? Are you okay?” I asked as he kept shifting in his seat and glancing behind me.
He nodded and forced a smile. “Yeah, I’m fine. It’s our anniversary, and I couldn’t be happier,” he reassured me.
I smiled back and glanced at the menu, even though I had memorized it from all our previous visits. As I looked up, I was stunned to find Brian on one knee with a group of musicians playing romantic tunes. “Jane, we’ve been together for six years, and I want to spend the rest of my life with you,” Brian said. “Will you marry me?”
I gasped in surprise and covered my mouth. “Yes, of course!” I exclaimed, jumping up to hug him. I admired the beautiful solitaire ring he placed on my finger, realizing how much effort it must have taken him to save up for such an expensive gift.
The next day, I visited my parents to share the good news. My mom was overjoyed and gave me a big hug, but my dad’s reaction was less than enthusiastic.
“You can’t possibly be happy marrying him, Jane,” he said. “What will become of you and your children? Can he even afford a house or private school for them?”
“Dad, that’s not fair,” I replied. “Brian works hard, and we’ll figure things out together, just like any married couple.”
“How long did it take him to save for that ring? Is that supposed to prove he can take care of you? If I were you, I’d return the ring and call off the wedding. I can introduce you to wealthier men who could actually provide for you and your future,” he continued.
I was taken aback by his focus on money and left before I could say anything else.
Brian and I went ahead with planning the wedding ourselves, with a little help from my mom. After three months of preparations, the big day arrived.
Before the ceremony, Brian couldn’t find his sister or niece. His mom reluctantly explained that his niece, Maxine, was in urgent need of heart surgery and the hospital wouldn’t proceed without a downpayment.
Without hesitation, Brian decided to ask my dad for help. “Sir, I know this is awkward, but could you lend me money for Maxine’s surgery? I’ve already spent most of my savings on the wedding,” he confessed.
I decided to have coffee at a nearby café and spotted Brian looking around nervously before entering my dad’s office building. “What is he doing here?” I wondered, following him inside.
Inside the office, I saw Brian talking to my dad and his lawyer, signing some papers. I was too curious to stay out of the room any longer.
“What’s going on here? What are those papers?” I asked, barging in.
My dad gave me a smug look. “Your fiancé just agreed to leave you for money,” he said, revealing the deal Brian had signed to never contact me again in exchange for financial help for Maxine’s surgery.
Brian broke down, explaining that he had no choice. “I couldn’t let Maxine die,” he sobbed. “Your dad said he’d help if I stayed away from you. I’m sorry, Jane, but I had to do it for her.”
I felt completely betrayed by my father. “How could you do this to me?” I yelled. “You ruined everything.”
Brian apologized, explaining that he’d made a mistake by not telling me the truth and going to my dad instead. “I didn’t know what to do. I was desperate, and your dad was the first person I saw,” he explained.
We both agreed to help Maxine together, and with refunds from the wedding suppliers, we were able to pay for the surgery. Maxine recovered and returned to her cheerful self.
Three months later, Brian and I decided to start fresh in a new city. I cut ties with my father, as I couldn’t bear his toxic influence any longer. My mom supported my decision, though it pained her. “I’ll always be here for you,” she told me.
Brian and I got married in a simple ceremony with just our closest family and friends. We mailed the check my dad had given us back to him and never heard from him again. After quitting my job at the family company, my father blocked my credit cards and any access to my inheritance.
With our savings, we bought a small house in the suburbs and started a new chapter of our lives, raising three children in a loving home.
Leave a Reply