I thought I’d finally found the man who’d end my string of heartbreaks. Days before the wedding, he accepted a job offer without telling me and started planning a cross-country move. I didn’t think much of it until his ex showed up on our doorstep and revealed a life-changing secret.
I twisted the engagement ring on my finger, watching the diamond catch the light, while Daniel flipped pancakes with the kind of flourish you’d expect from someone hosting a cooking show.
The smell of butter sizzling in the pan mixed with fresh coffee, and everything felt perfect.
This is it, Maya, I thought. This is what safety feels like.
If only I’d known then that Daniel was keeping a secret that would turn both our lives upside down.
Daniel slid two perfect pancakes onto my plate, his smile wide and easy. He was already talking, the way he always did when he got excited.
“I can’t wait to start our new life together. Just the two of us, babe. No more drama, and no more chaos.” He took the seat across from me and raised his coffee mug.
“To new beginnings.”
I lifted my mug to meet his, mirroring his grin.
“Talking about new beginnings,” I said, cutting into my pancakes. “I got the promotion. They told me yesterday.”
I waited for the congratulations, the hug, the excitement.
Instead, Daniel’s smile dimmed. He sighed softly and set his fork down.
“I’m happy for you, Maya. You deserve it, really.” He cleared his throat.
“But actually, I have some news too. I accepted a job in Seattle. We’ll be moving right after the honeymoon.”
My fork stopped halfway to my mouth.
“What? When did you get a job offer in Seattle? And why didn’t you tell me?”
“It was really sudden.
They headhunted me. I got the call last week and interviewed with them this past Monday. I didn’t want to say anything until I knew for sure…” He reached across the table and took my hand, kissing my knuckles.
“Please don’t be mad at me, babe.”
“I…” I looked into his eyes. His distress seemed sincere. “I just can’t believe you didn’t tell me about any of this.”
“I was hoping to surprise you.
Just think how great it will be to start fresh in a new city.”
“I’m sorry about your job,” he continued, “but why don’t you ask if you can work remotely? Your boss lets you work from home all the time. I think she’d be open to it.”
The story doesn’t end here –
it continues on the next page.
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