When I turned thirty, I couldn’t help but feel a growing fear that I might never get married. I worried that love had passed me by. But here I was—just two days away from becoming a wife.

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It felt like a dream. I was about to start a new chapter with Robert, the man who had stolen my heart and shown me what love could truly be. Robert was everything I’d ever wanted: smart, sweet, and endlessly kind.

Even when I was upset, he could make me laugh with his silly jokes or warm smile. I felt complete.

But that joy wavered the moment Robert walked into the bedroom. His uneasy expression stopped me cold. Something was wrong.

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“What’s wrong?” I asked as soon as I noticed his troubled expression.

Robert hesitated, rubbing the back of his neck. “Katherine, I’m so sorry, but I have to go on a work trip.”

“What?” I said, my brow furrowing. “But our wedding is in two days.”

“I know,” he said, his voice soft. “I promise I’ll be back in time. Maybe even the night before the wedding.”

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“Are you serious right now? You’re leaving me alone at a time like this?” My voice was sharper than I intended, but I couldn’t help it.

Robert sighed and stepped closer. “I wouldn’t go if it wasn’t important. Everything is already planned, so nothing should go wrong. I’m sorry it’s happening this way, but I really have to go.”

“But why?” I asked, feeling the heat rising in my face. Words failed me as I tried to keep my emotions in check.

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Robert pulled me into a hug, holding me tightly. “I hate doing this to you, but we have our whole lives ahead of us. I’ll always be there for you, Katherine.”

“Who’s going with you?” I asked, my voice quieter now.

“Travis. That’s why it’s so important,” he said. I knew Travis was his boss, and I understood. Still, I wanted to scream like a child. But I swallowed it. I was an adult, after all.

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“Fine,” I said after a long pause. “But think about how you’re going to make this up to me while you’re gone.”

Robert chuckled softly, his lips brushing my forehead. “Alright,” he said. Then, he turned and began packing.

Robert moved quickly, folding clothes and placing them into his bag. I stayed on the bed, watching him silently, hoping he’d change his mind. Each item he packed felt like a step farther from me.

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My eyes wandered to the edge of the bed where his plane tickets sat. The destination caught my attention.

I didn’t think his company worked in that city. Maybe they were expanding, I thought, trying to convince myself it made sense.

When he finished, I walked him to the door. He hugged me tightly, kissed me goodbye, and left. Minutes later, my phone buzzed.

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Seeing Travis’s name made my heart jump. Why was he calling? Had something happened to Robert?

"Hello? Is everything alright?" I asked, my voice trembling as I clutched the phone.

"Everything’s fine," Travis said calmly. "I just wanted to let you know I won’t be able to make it to your wedding. I’ll be out of town on a business trip. But I’d still like to send you and Robert a gift. How can I get it to you?"

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My stomach tightened. "Wait, Robert will be back by the wedding, right?" I asked, feeling a knot of confusion.

"Katherine, I’m not sure what you mean," Travis said, sounding puzzled. "I would never send Robert on a trip this close to his wedding. Did he say I did?"

I froze, struggling to think of a response. "Oh, no. I must have misunderstood," I said quickly. "I’ll let you know about the gift."

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"Okay," Travis said, his tone uncertain. "Let me know if you need anything." Then he hung up.

Without hesitation, I grabbed my bag, my wallet, and my coat, leaving behind everything else. My mind raced as I drove to the airport.

Robert had lied to me. I didn’t know why, but I needed answers. The uncertainty was unbearable.

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My hands trembled as I booked a ticket for his flight. Luckily, there were still seats available.

At security, I fumbled to pull off my shoes and jacket, feeling like everyone was staring at me.

Once through, I tucked my hair into a hood and put on sunglasses. I scanned the waiting area, and then I saw him.

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Robert sat near the gate, his head down, staring at his phone. I positioned myself far enough away to stay unnoticed but close enough to follow.

When the flight was called, I let him board first. My heart pounded as I followed him onto the plane, keeping my distance.

I couldn’t believe I was doing this, but I had to know the truth. The flight felt endless. Every time Robert shifted in his seat, I wondered what he was thinking.

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When we landed, I spotted him again and followed him outside. He hailed a taxi, so I did the same.

“Follow that car, but keep your distance,” I told my driver, who gave me a curious glance but nodded. My pulse quickened as we drove.

The car stopped in front of a small house in a quiet neighborhood. I asked my driver to pull over a few houses away and paid him quickly.

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Hiding behind a tree, I watched as Robert got out of the taxi. He hesitated at the door, then knocked.

I held my breath, watching closely. After a moment, the door opened, and someone stepped forward.

From my position behind the tree, I couldn’t see who it was, but their silhouette made my chest tighten. Then, to my disbelief, Robert stepped inside.

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I stood there for a moment, frozen. Summoning my courage, I crept closer to the house.

My 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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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."

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"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?"

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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.

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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.

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"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—"

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"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?"

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"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.

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