In my father’s office, the day after my fiancé disappeared from our wedding, I saw him signing documents.
My fiancé’s lack of presence at the altar on our wedding day made me realize just how much he loved me. I didn’t know what he was signing until I saw him a day later in my father’s office.
On the eve of our sixth wedding anniversary, Brian and I went to our favorite upscale restaurant. I couldn’t help but notice how nervous he seemed. Brian, what’s wrong? Are you okay? He looked behind me and shuffled in his seat a few times before I asked him. He gave a nod and forced a smile. “Yeah, I’m okay, of course,” he told me. “I am ecstatic as it is our anniversary.”
After grinning at his response, I looked over the menu. Even though I knew the menu by heart from all the times we had eaten there, I nevertheless perused it for nostalgia’s sake. I had the biggest surprise of my life when I looked up from the menu. Behind him, a group of musicians played delicate, romantic violin music while Brian was on his knees. Jane, sweetheart. After six years of dating, I can say with certainty that I want to live out the rest of my days with you, Brian said. He said, “Would you do me the honor of being my wife?” I gave a gasp and put my hands over my lips. “Yes, of course!” Leaping out of my seat to give Brian a hug, I replied. Brian put a stunning solitaire ring on my finger, and as I gazed at it, I understood how long it would have taken him to save up for something that large and exquisite.
I went to see my parents the next day to tell them that Brian had proposed. With much joy, my mother hugged me tightly. My dad’s response, though, was a different story. He told me, “Jane, you can’t possibly be happy marrying that man.” “What fate do you and your kids have? Is he even able to purchase a home for you? To send your children to private school?” he began to inquire. How could you say that, Dad? Both Brian and I put in a lot of work. Like any married couple, we’ll work it out together! I fired back. In any case, how long did he need to save up to get that ring? As if that’s meant to reassure me that he’s capable of looking after you. I would return that ring and call off the wedding if I were you. Jane, it’s not too late. He said, “I can introduce you to a lot of wealthy bachelors; men I can really trust with my daughter and the future of my business.” Knowing that money was the only thing my dad ever cared about, I scoffed in shock. Before I could say anything I would later regret, I shook my head and left the house.
I organized our wedding with Brian by myself, with a little assistance from my mother. After three months of getting ready, the big day had finally arrived. Brian was unable to locate his sister and niece before to the ceremony. He enquired of his mother, “Where are they?” Brian’s mother reluctantly disclosed that his niece Maxine needed an urgent cardiac procedure and had to be sent to the hospital. His mother informed him, “Your sister has been looking for people she can borrow money from.” Maxine doesn’t have much time left, but the hospital won’t begin the procedure without a down payment. The operation must begin as soon as possible.
Brian made the snap decision to go up to my dad and beg for assistance. “Sir, I apologize for being so impolite, but I was wondering if you might give me a loan so that I can pay for my niece’s surgery. Brian said, “I had just spent the most of what’s in my account on the wedding.” I was about to head to a local coffee shop to grab a cup of coffee when I noticed Brian glance around before heading inside my dad’s office building. “I swear, I’ll reimburse you within a month. Before I am paid, I only need to make it through the month,” he enquired. My dad gave a headshake. He sneered, “I knew you were up to no good.” He said to Brian, “But yes, I will help you, on one condition.” “Sir, what is it? Without hesitation, Brian answered, “I’ll do anything.” “You don’t have to return the money to me; instead, you must leave Jane’s life behind. He yelled, “Leave now and never return. Brian’s heart quivered when he learned of my father’s illness. He grudgingly consented, though, because he remembered what his mother had said about Maxine not having much time left. It was his one and only opportunity to save his niece.
After a few minutes, I found myself at the altar.
crying. When Brian failed to show up for the wedding, everyone tried to comfort me. “What took place? Yesterday, we got by,” I sobbed. “Where is he now?” Guests had told me that Brian had been at the church earlier in the morning, so I kept asking. My dad wanted to meet me at his workplace the next day. I arrived early, even though I was meant to meet him in an hour and a half. I was about to head to a local coffee shop to grab a cup of coffee when I noticed Brian glance around before heading inside my dad’s office building. “Why is he in this place?” Before deciding to follow him, I asked myself this. Brian had already gotten into the elevator when I went to pick up the bill at the coffee shop. I ran up the next elevator to see what was going on because I had a hunch he was headed to my dad’s office. Upon my arrival, I noticed that my dad, Brian, and his attorney were all in the same room. I was unable to hear what they were talking about because the glass windows were soundproof. Rather, I observed as my dad’s attorney gave some documents to Brian, who signed them before exchanging handshakes with the other males in the room.
At that moment, I was powerless to stop myself from storming in. “What’s this? Why are you here and what are those papers? I shouted. My father appeared arrogant, as though he had known this would happen from the beginning. He told me, “Your groom here just agreed to take money and never see you again.” I gave Brian the most agonizing look of betrayal. “Is that accurate?” I spoke, attempting not to choke on the knot in my throat that appeared after hearing my dad’s words. “Jane, I apologize. Maxine is here. Brian sobbed, “She needs a costly operation to prolong her life because she is dying.” “I approached your dad for help yesterday, and he said he would support me if I didn’t go to the wedding. Jane, I apologize. He cried, “I can’t handle losing my niece.” “He just agreed to never be involved in your life again by signing that contract. The papers said he wouldn’t be allowed to tell you the truth either if you hadn’t shown up. My dad slammed the papers on the table and said, “But now that you’re here, I guess it’s better for you to know that he replaced your relationship for money.” I cried, “How could you do this to me?” to my father. “My life is not a toy that you can simply use for play! You destroyed not just our relationship but also the day that was meant to be the happiest of my life! I sobbed.
Which type of dad are you? I said to him, “I never want to see you again,” and I walked out of his office. My knees began to give way, and before I could get to the elevator, I broke down in tears on the ground. “Why?” I sobbed to no one specifically. I felt Brian’s arms around me at that moment. “I apologize, Jane,” he sobbed. “Even though I adore you dearly, I was unable to let Maxine pass away. I could never make a home for myself. I told Brian, “You are the most selfless, kindest man I know.” You only meant well, I realize that. However, I wish you had notified me rather than seeing my dad. In this manner, we could have assisted Maxine jointly and carried on with our marriage.
When he realized what he had done, Brian nodded and sighed. “I was at a loss for what to do. When I got the news, your dad was the first person I met; you hadn’t arrived at the church yet. He said, “I’m sorry, Jane. I appreciate it.” “I hope you will give me another chance to show you how much I love you, but I understand if you would rather never see me again. He tried to reassure me, saying, “I really do, Jane. “I love you just as much, Brian, and I know you do too,” I answered.
We made the decision to discuss our lives and future plans that day. We went to see Maxine at the hospital and after receiving our wedding vendors’ refunds, we paid for the procedure. After her successful operation, Maxine returned to being the vivacious, affectionate girl we all knew. After three months, Brian and I made the decision to begin a new chapter in our lives. I made the decision to permanently shut my dad out of my life when we relocated to a new city. When I told my mother that I had decided to stay away from my dad, I added, “I hope you understand why I had to do this, mom.” It’s in my best interests. I just couldn’t handle him; he was too toxic for me. My mother was hurt to hear this, but she knew exactly where I was coming from. She reassured me, saying, “I will always be here for you, dear.” “Come see me, and don’t forget to stay in touch.” I just can’t stand to be apart from you for so long.
My mother gave her approval, and Brian and I had a modest wedding ceremony. There were only his sister and niece, my mom, his dad, and a couple of our close friends. Brian and I mailed my dad’s check back to him before we left town. I haven’t heard from him since then. He stopped me from getting my credit cards and my inheritance after I left the family business. We were able to purchase a modest suburban home with the money Brian and I had saved for years. Together, we put a lot of effort into providing a loving home for our three children after I was hired by a different employer.
