An unexpected bombshell was dropped by my fiance, Daniel, only two days before our wedding. He had to go on an unforeseen vacation. There was something about his story that didn’t set well with me, and when I received a call from his employer, I decided to follow him because it created more questions than it asked answers. I was forced to doubt not just Daniel’s honesty but also my faith in love and the future that I believed we were going to embrace together as a result of what I found out, which was very different from what I had envisioned.
The moment I hit thirty, a suffocating sense of dread started to make its way into my mind. I was concerned that I had neglected to find love, and that it was possible that I would never find someone who would want to spend the rest of their life with me alone. But here I was, teetering on the brink of becoming a wife two days before the big day.
It was like a fantasy that I had once considered to be impossible to come true. In just a few short hours, I would be making my way down the aisle toward Daniel, the guy who had not only won my heart but also transformed my fundamental conception of what love was meant to be like.
I was wrong to believe that I would never find someone like Daniel. Not only was he intelligent, but he was also kind and patient. There was something about his smile that had the remarkable capacity to make me feel protected, as if no storm could ever touch me while he was close by. His sense of humor had the ability to cut through even the darkest of my moods.
But as soon as Daniel entered our bedroom, his demeanor became uneasy, and that fragile delight began to falter. To the naked eye, he appeared to be concealing something.
“What’s the matter?” I inquired without delay, feeling a knot in my stomach.
One of his neurotic habits was to rub the back of his neck, and he did this. “Dear Sophie, I am so sorry, but… Please excuse me while I go on a business trip.
I glanced at him, certain that I had misunderstood what he had said. “What is it? “Daniel, only two days remain until our wedding.”
He quickly responded, “I know,” while lowering his voice as if he thought that being soft would make it easier to say the words. “You have my word that I will promptly return. It’s possible that even the night before.”
“Are you serious at this very moment? You’re going to ignore me and let me handle things by myself? Despite the fact that I was astonished by the severity in my tone, worry had already begun to set in.
As he moved closer, Daniel let out a sigh. I wouldn’t go if it weren’t because it’s so vital. Already, everything has been planned out. There will be no difficulties. Oh, I swore!”
“Why is that?” I had a constriction in my throat. Why is it now?
It was almost as if his warmth was persuasive enough to make me feel less frustrated. He brought me into his arms and hugged me by the shoulders. “I despise inflicting this upon you. But Sophie, we still have the rest of our lives ahead of us. Always know that I will be there for you.
I began to take a few steps back. “Who will be accompanying you?”
It was without hesitation that he responded with “Martin.” And this is the reason why it is so vital. Surely you are aware of how much he depends on me. Martin served as Daniel’s higher-up. I was able to comprehend it logically, but my heart continued to tighten.
I finally broke the extended pause by saying, “Fine.” You had better give some thought to how you are going to make up for what you have done to me.
A gentle giggle emanated from Daniel as he gently pressed his lips against my forehead. It’s a deal. After that, he started packing his belongings.
There was complete silence as I sat on the bed and watched each folded shirt make its way into his suitcase. I had the impression that each and every thing was a piece of him moving further away from me. It was the plane ticket that was sitting on the nightstand that caught my attention. Even though his company did not have any operations in that city, the city that was printed on it drew my eye. My logical mind immediately began to leap to answers, such as the possibility that they were growing. It’s possible that it was a one-time association. I made an effort to persuade myself that it was not that weird.
After Daniel had finished using the zipper on his bag, I led him to the entrance. After giving me a bear hug and ending our time together with a kiss, he walked away down the hallway.
After a few minutes, my phone began to buzz.
Martin was the name that jumped out at me when I saw it on the screen.
Very shortly, I responded. What’s up? Are there any problems at all? Did Daniel experience any kind of misfortune?
Martin’s response, which was very cool and collected, was, “Everything is fine.” “I am sorry to inform you that I will not be able to make it to your wedding tomorrow. Due to a work trip, I will be absent from the city. Nevertheless, I would like to send a present to both you and Daniel. What is the most preferable address?
I was unable to breathe. “Wait a second—do you remember that Daniel will be back in time for the wedding?”
The sound of Martin was befuddled. “I’m not too clear on what you mean. It would be unthinkable for me to send him away so close to his wedding. Is he telling you that I did it?
Under my feet, the earth began to tilt. ‘Oh, no,’ I stutteringly said. “I must have gotten the message wrong.”
Even though we had just completed the call, my body was already moving on its own accord. The only things I took with me were my wallet, my coat, and my purse; I overlooked everything else. I drove directly to the airport, and my heart was pounding the entire time.
He had been dishonest. That I did not know why was intolerable to me, and I did not know why.
While I was purchasing a ticket for his trip, my hands were shaking as I stood at the counter. There were still seats available, which is a miracle in and of itself.
Because I was in a daze, I managed to sneak through security while concealing my face with a hood and sunglasses. When my eyes finally settled on him, they had traveled through the gate area.
Daniel was sitting close to the window, flicking through the pages of his phone. He appeared to be at ease. Overly laid back.
I kept my distance from him, but when the boarding call came, I had no choice but to accompany him onboard the aircraft. The pounding in my chest was so loud that I was afraid someone may hear it. What was I engaging in? However, I was unable to stop at this point. I was in search of answers.
The flight seemed to go on forever. From several seats behind him, I observed him and made a mental note of every change in his posture as well as every sigh he made. It appeared as though he was a guy with a purpose, but it was not the one that he had disclosed to me.
Immediately after our arrival, I followed him through the airport and into a cab vehicle. My driver was instructed to follow me as I climbed into another vehicle. During the time that I was giving the command, my voice was shaking, but the driver merely nodded.
When the pursuit came to an end, it was in a peaceful neighborhood in front of a simple house. Following a moment of hesitation, Daniel knocked on the door.
As I hid behind a tree, my heart was beating extremely fast. Once the door was opened, the outline of a woman was revealed. My chest became more taut. After a moment of doubt, Daniel entered the building.
For a few minutes, I stood there completely still. After that, I made a conscious effort to sneak up on them and sneak a glance through a window.
At the entrance, Daniel was seated next to a woman whom I had never seen before. She leaned in closer to him, and he gave her a comforting embrace in the same manner that dad had always held me.
I felt my knees buckle. My vision became so clouded by tears that I could hardly see anything.
Immediately after the front door opened once more, I sprinted into the bushes while holding my breath. Unable to read his expression, Daniel stepped out of the room by himself. He hailed another taxi and then vanished into the distance away from the scene.
With trembling hands, I pushed myself closer to the home. Even though I knocked with some hesitation, the door opened rather quickly.
As she stood before me, the woman from the inside had eyes that were both friendly and interested. The tears that were pouring down my face were quickly detected by her. “Are you feeling okay? Is it possible for me to assist you?
I am…” I took a deep breath. As Daniel’s fiancee, I am here. Within the next two days, we are meant to get married.
The astonishment caused her eyes to widen. As if to calm herself, she clenched her hand around the doorframe. Afterward, she moved to the side. Come in, if you please.
I followed her into the kitchen, where she poured me a glass of water and indicated a chair so that I might sit down.
Prior to her speaking, there was a brief period of stillness among us. It is clear to me how this must appear. But the truth is not what you believe. That would be me, Helena. Because I am Daniel’s first love.
The words struck like a punch to the ear. There was a tightening of my hold on the glass. It does not make the situation any better.
She let out a sigh. He did not cheat on you, he said. Our relationship was…unhealthy when we were younger, when Daniel and I were both younger. The errors were his own. I did the same thing. “He came here to express his regrets.”
Please apologise. Why at this time? After our wedding, why do you ask? As a result of my rage and perplexity, my voice would break.
“He didn’t want to carry the weight of his past into his future with you,” Helena explained in a quiet voice. “He wants to move on with his life.” He conveyed to me that he has a profound love for you. He wanted to let go of what happened between us, to start clean.”
I shook my head, tears burning again. “Why lie to me? Why not just tell me?”
Helena’s smile was faint but sincere. “Sometimes we hide the hardest parts of ourselves, even from the people we love most. I’m happily married now, with two kids. Daniel spoke about you like you were his world. Believe me—you’re the one he’s meant to be with.”
Her words lingered long after I left her home. She had no reason to lie. Meeting her husband and children, seeing the warmth in her eyes when she looked at them—it reassured me in a way I hadn’t expected.
By dawn, I was back home. Daniel was waiting at the door, his face pale with worry.
“Sophie! ” Where were you?” He pulled me into his arms instantly. “I called you a hundred times. I thought something happened.”
I hesitated, my throat tight. “I don’t even know how to explain.”
He stepped back, hands still on my shoulders. “Then let me. I lied. I wasn’t on a work trip.”
“I know,” I whispered.
He blinked, startled. “You know?”
I nodded. “I followed you. After Martin called, I couldn’t shake the feeling. I saw you go into Helena’s house. I spoke with her. She told me everything.”
His eyes softened with guilt and relief all at once. “I’m so sorry, Sophie. I should’ve told you. I didn’t want to start our marriage with secrets. I just…needed to make peace with my past.”
My tears spilled over, but this time they weren’t from heartbreak. “I know. And I’m sorry too—for doubting you.”
He shook his head. “You had every reason to doubt me. But Sophie, I love you. Only you. I want forever with you.”
A weight lifted from my chest, leaving only clarity. “I know,” I said, leaning into him. “Now I’m sure of it.”
And as he kissed me, I realized that love wasn’t about perfection or certainty. It was about truth, about learning to face shadows together so that the light could last.
