I’ve never been here before.”
But his nervous expression didn’t match his words. That first day, he barely left the room, saying he wasn’t feeling well. I went to the beach alone, trying to relax, but the weight of suspicion gnawed at me.
Later, on my way back, another hotel staff member stopped me. “How are you and your fiancé doing? I hope Mark is feeling better.”
I stiffened.
“That’s… not his name.”
She looked startled, stammered an apology, and quickly walked away. Now it wasn’t just one slip-up. Two staff members had called him “Mark.” Something was definitely wrong.
Back in the room, I confronted him. “James, why does everyone keep calling you Mark? Why does it feel like you’ve been here before?”
He barely looked up from his phone.
“I don’t know. Maybe there’s another guest with a similar name. Don’t worry about it.”
But my instincts screamed otherwise.
The next morning, he suggested a boat excursion. “I booked us a trip, just you and me. We’ll spend the day together.”
Relieved, I agreed.
Maybe it would clear the tension. James left the room ahead of me, and when I got to the lobby, I found him talking to Lily—the receptionist who had first greeted us. They were standing too close, laughing, her hand resting on his arm.
I crept closer, just in time to hear her murmur, “You won’t be able to keep this secret much longer. She’s going to find out.”
My stomach dropped. James quickly stepped away when he saw me.
“What were you talking about?” I asked. “Nothing. Just hotel stuff.”
But the unease in my chest only deepened.
At the dock, as we boarded, his phone rang. He stepped aside to answer it. Moments later, the boat pulled away—and James wasn’t on it.
I tried to protest, but the captain said we couldn’t turn back. So I spent the entire day adrift, alone, fighting tears, wondering what was happening to my life. When I returned, exhausted, I froze in the lobby.
There he was—James—walking in with Lily. She was holding his hand, leading him toward the staff supply room. He didn’t resist.
My heart broke. It wasn’t innocent. He was comfortable with her, like this wasn’t the first time.
I hurried over, but by the time I reached the door, it was locked. Voices murmured inside. My world crumbled.
Back in the room, I packed my bags through tears, hands shaking. I couldn’t stay. Dragging my suitcase toward the exit, James suddenly caught up, breathless.
“Where are you going?”
“I’m not pretending anymore,” I snapped. I pulled off my engagement ring and threw it at his feet. “We’re done.”
He looked panicked.
“What are you talking about?”
“You know exactly what. I saw you with her. I heard what she said.
And everyone here keeps calling you Mark. Why? Who are you really?”
Finally, he broke.
“Because that’s my real name. Mark. James is my middle name.
I grew up here—my mom worked as a maid at this hotel, and I worked here too. I hated the name Mark because it reminded me of scrubbing floors, of poverty. So when I left, I became James.
Someone new.”
I stared at him, stunned. He nodded miserably. “I didn’t tell you because I knew your family wouldn’t accept me.
And I didn’t want you to see me as less than you deserve.”
Tears blurred my eyes. “So you lied instead? Were you planning to keep this from me forever?”
He swallowed hard.
“Before he died, the hotel’s owner left this place to me. The will just came into effect. Lily and I were only discussing that—she’s been urging me to tell you the truth.”
I shook my head.
“You should have told me from the start. You should have trusted me.”
He fell to his knees, tears streaking down his face. “I was scared of losing you.
Please, Em. Forgive me.”
I crouched down, torn between anger and love. “If I hear another lie from you, I’m gone.
Do you understand?”
He nodded desperately. “I promise. No more lies.
Ever.”
I hugged him, whispering, “I would’ve loved you even if you were still a janitor.”
He smiled through his tears. “And I’d love you even if you were broke.”
We laughed softly, fragile but real. The pain wasn’t gone, and trust wasn’t instantly restored—but for that moment, I chose to believe him.
