My fiance Robert suddenly informed me that he needed to go for an unexpected vacation two days before my wedding. This was a shocking revelation. It seemed like something was off, and when he received a call from his supervisor that didn’t make sense, I decided to follow him. The information that I discovered was not what I had anticipated, and as a result, I began to cast doubt on trust, love, and the man that I was going to marry.
When I hit thirty, I couldn’t help but sense a rising anxiety that I might never get married. I was afraid that I would remain single forever. I was concerned that love had already left me behind. On the other hand, here I was—only two days away from becoming a wedding bride.
It was almost like in a dream. Robert, the guy who had won my heart and taught me what love might truly be, was about to begin a new chapter in my life. I began this new chapter with him. Intelligent, charming, and incredibly generous, Robert was all I could have ever hoped for in a partner.
Even in the most difficult of situations, he had the ability to make me laugh with his wacky quips and his friendly smile. It was a total feeling.
However, as soon as Robert entered the bedroom, that delight began to change. The anxious expression on his face halted me in my tracks. Something was not quite right.
“What’s on the wrong?” Immediately after noticing the disturbed expression on his face, I inquired.
Robert was hesitant and rubbed the back of his neck as he pondered. Katherine, I am so sorry to have to tell you this, but I have to travel on a business trip.
“Shall we?” The lines on my brow deepened as I spoke. On the other hand, our wedding is in just two days.
The tone of his voice was quiet as he said, “I know.” I assure you that I will return in a timely manner. Even the night before the wedding, would that be possible?
“At this very moment, are you serious? Is it true that you are about to abandon me at this very moment? It was not my intention for my voice to be more piercing, but I was unable to control it.
Robert heaved a sigh and moved closer to approach. In the event that it was not significant, I would not go. Nothing should go wrong because everything has already been thought out. It’s unfortunate that things are transpiring in this manner, but I really need to leave.
But why is that? I inquired as I became aware of the rising temperature in my face. My attempt to keep my feelings in check was unsuccessful, and I was at a loss for words.
Robert wrapped his arms around me and comforted me by holding me tightly. This is something that I despise having to do to you, but we still have our entire lives ahead of us. You can count on me to be there for you at all times, Katherine.
Who else is going to accompany you? My voice became more subdued as I inquired.
I am Travis. Because of this, it is of utmost significance,” he explained. Not only was I aware that Travis was his employer, but I also understood. Nevertheless, I had the want to scream as a child should. But I managed to swallow it. After all, I was an adult at the time.
Following a lengthy delay, I responded with “Fine.” “However, while you are away, you should give some thought to the ways in which you are going to make up for this.”
Robert gave a gentle giggle, and his lips came close to brushing against my forehead. He responded with, “Alright.” After that, he turned around and proceeded to pack.
Robert folded his clothing and stuffed them into his suitcase as he walked rapidly. In the hopes that he would reconsider his decision, I remained seated on the bed and watched him in silence. With each item that he packed, I felt as though I was moving more away from him.
As my gaze roamed, I found myself looking at the side of the bed, where his aircraft tickets were sitting. My focus was drawn to the location of the destination.
I was under the impression that his company did not operate in that city. My mind wandered to the possibility that they were growing, and I tried to convince myself that this scenario made logical.
Following the completion of his task, I escorted him to the exit. Once he had finished kissing me farewell and hugging me passionately, he left. A few minutes later, my phone began to buzz.
As soon as I saw Travis’s name, my heart really jumped. Who was he phoning, and why? Could you tell me about what had occurred to Robert?
Why are you here? Does everything seem to be in order? I inquired while clenching the phone tightly in my hand and my voice was shaking.
Travis remarked in a composed manner, “Everything is fine.” Please accept my sincere apologies for the inconvenience, but I will not be able to attend your wedding. During this time, I will be away from town on a business trip. However, I would still prefer to get a gift from both you and Robert. Please tell me how I may get it to you.
My stomach contorted into a knot. “Wait, Robert will be back by the wedding, right?” I inquired, with a knot of confusion in my chest.
“Katherine, I’m not sure what you mean,” Travis responded, appearing perplexed after hearing her statement. If Robert were to go on a vacation of this magnitude so soon to his wedding, I would never do it. “Did he say that I did it?”
My mind was at a loss for words, and I found myself frozen in place. It’s a shock. “I must have misunderstood,” I answered after a moment of hesitation. “I’ll let you know about the gift.”
“Okay,” Travis responded, his tone indicating that he was uncertain. “Let me know if you need anything.” Following that, he hung up.
My coat, my wallet, and my bag were the only things I forgot to take with me, and I grabbed them without any hesitation. In the car on the way to the airport, my thoughts were racing.
It was Robert who had lied to me. I was at a loss for explanations, but I needed to know why. The unpredictability was intolerable to endure.
When I was booking a ticket for his flight, my hands were shaking like crazy. Fortunately, there were still seats left for registration.
I felt as though everyone was looking at me as I struggled to remove my shoes and jacket while I was at the security checkpoint.
I finished up by putting on eyeglasses and tucking my hair into a hood until I was finished. After taking a quick look around the waiting area, I finally spotted him.
With his head bowed and his eyes fixed on his phone, Robert sat down close to the entrance. I moved myself to a distance that would allow me to remain unobserved while still being close enough to follow suit.
When it was time for the flight to take off, I allowed him to board first. Although I was keeping my distance from him, my heart was pounding as I followed him onboard the plane.
It was hard for me to believe that I was actually doing this, but I had to find out the truth. It felt like the flight would never finish. Whenever Robert moved around in his position, I couldn’t help but worry what he was planning to do next.
After our arrival, I was able to locate him once more and proceed to follow him outdoors. I signaled for a taxi to come, just as he had done.
I urged my driver, “Follow that car, but keep your distance,” and he gave me a wondering look but nodded his head in agreement. My heart rate increased as we continued to drive.
A peaceful neighborhood was the location where the car came to a stop in front of a little house. I requested that my driver pull over a few homes away, and I provided him the payment as soon as possible.
At the same time as I was hiding behind a tree, I observed Robert getting out of the taxi. He went to the door, paused for a moment, and then knocked.
I remained still and watched with utmost attention. Following a little pause, the door opened, and one individual proceeded to progress forward.
Their silhouette caused my chest to tighten, but I was unable to see who it was because I was hiding behind the tree. Robert then entered the building, which completely blew my mind.
For a little period, I stood there, completely still. I summoned up the bravery to approach the house in a less obvious manner.
As I peered through a nearby window, my hands began to shake, and the humidity from my breath caused the glass to become foggy. The sight I witnessed caused my knees to buckle.
Robert was inside, and he was seated next to a woman whose identity I did not recognize. Taking a deep breath, he embraced her in the same manner that he had usually hugged me.
The tears that were running down my face caused my vision to become blurry, and my heart was breaking into pieces. The things that I was seeing were beyond my comprehension.
I have no idea how long I remained paralyzed and shaking in that place. My consciousness was brought back to the present moment by the sound of the front door opening.
In a state of panic, I hid myself by falling into the bushes and stooping down really low. I was able to observe Robert’s unreadable countenance as he stepped outside where I was hidden. Without turning around, he stepped into another taxi and drove off without looking back.
I mustered up every ounce of bravery I have and left my hiding place in order to make my way toward the entrance. As I lifted my hand to knock, I noticed that my legs were starting to shake, and my chest was getting tight.
Following a little pause, the door was opened by the same woman that I had observed previously. Upon noticing the tears that were flowing down my face, she stared at me with worry, and her gaze became more gentle then.
You seem to be doing fine. May I be of assistance to you? She inquired mildly, her tone remaining unruffled.
My sentences were just beginning to form as I forced myself to swallow. I spoke with a quivering voice and introduced myself as Robert’s fiancee. “In two days, I’m supposed to be his wife.”
In a state of shock, her eyes expanded. “Oh,” she said, her hand reaching to the doorframe as if she were trying to stabilize herself throughout the moment. “Please, come in.” I was invited to come in, and she moved to the side.
In the kitchen, she escorted me to a chair and offered me a glass of water. She then brought me into the kitchen.
My hands were shaking as I took a careful, deliberate drink of it. From the opposite side of the room, she sat down, her attitude remaining cautious but sympathetic.
She broke the stillness by saying, “I know how this must look,” after a brief pause. On the other hand, I assure you that it is not what you believe. Hello, my name is Liz. The first love in Robert’s life is me.
It was as if the words had struck me in the gut that I felt. I clenched my fists around the glass and muttered, “That does not make your situation any better.” The ideas that were going through my head were a maelstrom of fury and uncertainty.
While maintaining a steady tone, Liz heaved a sigh and leaned forward. If that is what you are concerned about, then he did not cheat on you. During his younger years, Robert was not the same person that you are familiar with today.
“What do you mean?” With a tone that was more abrasive than I had intended, I inquired.
Liz stated in a straightforward manner, “Our relationship was not healthy.” “There were aspects of himself that he absolutely needed to work on. The reason he came here was to apologize.
“Would you do so? But why now? Why should we wait until our wedding? When I asked, I felt my chest tightening up once more.
“Because he didn’t want to carry the weight of his mistakes into his future with you,” stated Liz in response. “He expressed to me that he loves you very much. He desired to make amends with his past in order to prevent it from having an impact on your entire life together.
This caused my voice to shake as I shook my head. “I asked him why he didn’t inform me. Who would lie?
Liz gave me a little smile that conveyed her understanding. Every single one of us carries things with us. Although we do share some, we do not share others. Currently, I am a contentedly married woman with two children. It seemed as though Robert was talking about you as if you were his entire world. The two of you will provide joy to one another. The two of you will be happy together, but we were never meant to be happy together.
Having no idea how I should react, I gently nodded my head. I was offered the opportunity to stay till my flight by Liz.
Upon meeting her family, I looked into her eyes and saw the love that she had for her husband. The way I felt for Robert was brought back to my mind by this. I came to a state of tranquility gradually.
My arrival at home coincided with the moment when the first rays of dawn began to appear. Concern could be seen written all over Robert’s face as he waited outside the entrance. As soon as he caught sight of me, he immediately encircled me in a bear embrace.
Using a stern tone in his voice, he inquired, “Katherine, where were you?” I was very concerned about it. There were a lot of times that I called you, but you never picked up the phone. I received the impression that something had taken place.
Uncertain of how to get started, I paused for a moment. In no way is it… Eventually, I came to the realization that I was at a loss for words.
Robert moved his hands slightly away from my shoulders while taking a little step back. After then, allow me to begin. I tried to deceive you, he admitted. “I wasn’t on a work trip—”
I interrupted him by saying, “I know,” while still looking into his eyes.
Remorse could be seen written all over his face as he nodded. “I sincerely apologize for lying. I am sorry that I did not tell you earlier, but I swore that I did not do anything wrong.
“I know,” I admitted in a low voice. “And I’m sorry too.”
It was Robert’s frown. “Why are you apologizing?”
I spoke with a quivering voice and explained, “Because I had doubts about you.” After Travis called me and informed me that you were not with him, I decided to get closer to you. I went to Liz’s place to visit her. It was me who spoke to her. All of the details were explained by her.
A smile appeared on Robert’s face. “Katherine, I love you,” they said to each other. It is only you. To be with you for the rest of my life is something I want to do.
I experienced a weight being lifted off of my chest. I am aware of that. “At this point, I am absolutely certain of it,” I remarked as I leaned in closer to kiss him.
