y hands shook as I peeked through a nearby window, my breath fogging the glass. What I saw made my knees buckle.

Robert was inside, sitting with a woman I didn’t recognize.

He leaned in and hugged her, the way he always hugged me.

Tears blurred my vision, streaming down my face as my heart shattered into pieces. I couldn’t understand what I was seeing.

I don’t know how long I stayed there, frozen and trembling. The sound of the front door opening snapped me back to reality.

Panicked, I ducked into the bushes, crouching low to stay hidden.

From my hiding spot, I watched Robert step outside, his expression unreadable. He climbed into another taxi and left without looking back.

Gathering every bit of courage I had, I stepped out of my hiding spot and approached the door. My legs felt shaky, and my chest was tight as I raised my hand to knock.

After a few moments, the same woman I had seen earlier opened the door.

She looked at me with concern, her gaze softening when she noticed the tears streaming down my face.

“Are you alright? How can I help you?” she asked gently, her voice calm.

I swallowed hard, my words barely forming. “I’m Robert’s fiancée,” I said, my voice trembling.

“In two days, I’m supposed to be his wife.”

Her eyes widened in shock. “Oh,” she said, her hand moving to the doorframe as if to steady herself. “Please, come in.” She stepped aside, motioning for me to enter.

She led me into the kitchen, where she pulled out a chair for me and handed me a glass of water.

I sipped it slowly, my hands trembling.

She sat across from me, her expression still kind but cautious.

“I know how this must look,” she said after a moment of silence. “But I promise, it’s not what you think. My name is Liz.

I’m Robert’s first love.”

The words hit me like a punch to the stomach. “That doesn’t make it better,” I said, gripping the glass tightly. My thoughts were a whirlwind of anger and confusion.

Liz sighed and leaned forward, her tone steady.

“He didn’t cheat on you, if that’s what you’re worried about. When Robert was younger…he wasn’t the same man you know now.”

“What do you mean?” I asked, my voice sharper than I intended.

“Our relationship wasn’t healthy,” Liz said simply. “There were things he needed to fix in himself.

He came here to apologize.”

“Apologize? Why now? Why before our wedding?” I asked, my chest tightening again.

“Because he didn’t want to carry the weight of his mistakes into his future with you,” Liz said.

“He told me he loves you deeply. He wanted to make peace with his past so it wouldn’t affect your life together.”

I shook my head, my voice shaking. “Why didn’t he tell me?

Why lie?”

Liz gave me a small, understanding smile. “We all have things we carry. Some we share, and some we don’t.

I’m happily married now, with two kids. Robert talked about you like you’re his whole world. You’ll make each other happy.

We were never meant to be happy together, but you and Robert will be.”

I nodded slowly, unsure of how to feel. Liz offered to let me stay until my flight.

Meeting her family, I saw the love in her eyes for her husband. It reminded me of how I felt about Robert.

Slowly, I began to calm.

I arrived home just as the first light of dawn was breaking. Robert was waiting by the door, his face full of worry. The moment he saw me, he pulled me into a tight hug.

“Katherine, where were you?” he asked, his voice tense.

“I was so worried. I called you so many times, and you didn’t answer. I thought something had happened.”

I hesitated, unsure of how to begin.

“It’s not… I don’t know what to say,” I finally admitted.

Robert stepped back slightly, his hands still on my shoulders. “Then let me start. I lied to you,” he said.

“I wasn’t on a work trip—”

“I know,” I interrupted, looking into his eyes.

He nodded, his face filled with regret. “I’m sorry for lying. I should’ve told you, but I swear I didn’t do anything wrong.”

“I know,” I said softly.

“And I’m sorry too.”

Robert frowned. “Why are you apologizing?”

“Because I doubted you,” I said, my voice trembling. “I followed you after Travis called and told me you weren’t with him.

I went to Liz’s house. I talked to her. She explained everything.”

Robert’s face softened.

“Katherine, I love you,” he said. “Only you. I want to spend the rest of my life with you.”

I felt a weight lift from my chest.

“I know. Now I’m sure of it,” I said, leaning forward to kiss him.

Tell us what you think about this story and share it with your friends. It might inspire them and brighten their day.