He paused, and I saw something flicker in his eyes—maybe nerves or maybe something else.
My mother clasped her hands with excitement. Megan smirked, folding her arms, clearly enjoying the performance. I forced myself to breathe, gripping my napkin so tightly my knuckles turned white.
Zach continued, “She pushes me to be better every day. And I realized… well, I realized that I couldn’t imagine my life without her.”
His voice softened, almost genuine, and for a moment, I felt the room fade as he looked at me. I nearly forgot we were pretending. Nearly.
“Will you marry me?”
“Yes!” I clapped my hands together, throwing on the biggest smile I could muster. “Oh, I… I can’t believe it!” I gushed, practically shoving my hand out so he could slide the ring onto my trembling finger.
As he slipped the ring on, I was praying no one noticed the rush of desperation beneath it all.
“Oh, Claire, sweetheart!” Mom cried, practically bouncing in her seat. “This is just… wonderful! I’m so happy for you both!”
As I tried to force a laugh, I could feel Megan’s eyes boring into me. But I was determined to play this role to the end, whatever it took.
“Oh, Claire, darling,” Mom continued. “You know, I’ve been saving something very special for this day.”
She hurried out of the room, her heels clicking with excitement. A few minutes later, she returned, carrying a box wrapped in delicate silk.
“This was my wedding dress,” she said, her eyes misty with nostalgia as she opened the box. “I saved it, hoping one day I could give it to one of my daughters. And now… it’s yours.”
Mom’s joy, Zach’s quiet resignation, and Megan’s smirk—it was too much. I forced a smile, trying to keep my hands from shaking. “Oh, Mom, I… I don’t know what to say. This is… so generous.”
“Tomorrow,” Mom said, beaming, “we’ll have the ceremony. I’ve already called the family priest.”
Beside me, I felt Zach go rigid. His face was drained of color, and my own heart pounded with panic.
What have I done?
The next day, just before I slipped into the wedding dress, Megan sidled up to me. She leaned in, her voice low and mocking.
“You know, I made up that whole inheritance story, right? Just to see what you’d do.”
“What?” I whispered, barely able to believe it.
She shrugged, feigning innocence. “I knew you’d overhear. I just didn’t think you’d actually fall for it this hard.”
My face burned with anger and embarrassment. Megan tricked me, and I walked right into it. I was left with a choice: go through with that charade or run out and face the humiliation.
As I stepped up to the altar, dressed in my mother’s gown, the weight of it all hit me. The cheap ring on my finger felt heavy, like a reminder of every lie I’d told.
I looked over at Zach, who stood beside me, clearly trying to hold it together for my sake.
But is this how I want to spend this day for the sake of a ridiculous rivalry?
In that final second, something in me snapped. I couldn’t do it. I pulled up my dress and bolted down the aisle, the fabric billowing behind me like a parachute. I didn’t look back, didn’t stop to see the stunned faces of my family or hear Megan’s laughter or… or… or see Zack’s eyes.
I just ran.
When I finally got home, reality crashed down like a wave. I let my jealousy, my need to prove myself, push me to this.
And now? Now, I have a cheap ring, a fake fiancé, and a sinking feeling of shame.
Back at work, I went straight to my office, eager to start the day and hoping to shake off the embarrassment from the holiday disaster. But as I walked in, Zach’s desk was empty.
Puzzled, I glanced around, half-expecting him to walk through the door at any moment. Instead, I noticed a folded piece of paper on my desk, my name scrawled in Zach’s familiar handwriting.
My heart sank as I unfolded the note. It read:
“Claire, I’m sorry for leaving like this, but I think it’s for the best. I didn’t agree to be your fiancé for the promotion or because of the pressure. I did it because I’ve been in love with you for a long time. I wish things had been different, and I hope you find what you’re really looking for.”
I hadn’t realized how blind I’d been to his real feelings. I sat there, realizing I’d just lost someone who genuinely cared.
Without a second thought, I grabbed my coat and headed out. I found Zach’s address in his employee file and drove to his apartment, determined to make things right.
When I arrived, the doctor let me in. Zach was sitting beside an elderly woman on the couch, holding her hand gently. She looked frail. She was probably his mom.
As I took in the scene, everything clicked into place. He needed the income to help her.
I stepped forward.
“Zach, I had no idea… I’m so sorry for everything. I never considered what you were going through.”
Zach looked up, surprised but calm. “It’s alright, Claire. I didn’t expect you to understand.”
I swallowed, feeling a surge of regret. “Let me help. With her medical bills, I mean. Please.”
After a long pause, he nodded. We sat together, talking about everything that had happened, the absurdity of our pretend engagement, and the misunderstandings that had piled up between us.
“You know… if you’re still interested, I’d like to go on a real date with you,” I finally confessed.
Zach smiled, and I felt my heart lighten. This time, there was no pretending.
