I always believed I knew how much Brian loved me. After all, we’d been together for six years, and every day seemed like a confirmation of his devotion. But everything changed on the day that was supposed to be the happiest of my life—the day we were supposed to get married.
It all began the night before, our sixth anniversary. Brian and I were sitting at our favorite fine-dining restaurant, the one where we’d celebrated so many milestones in our relationship. But something was off. Brian was shifting nervously in his seat, glancing around as if he was searching for something—or someone.
“Brian, what’s wrong?” I asked, my curiosity getting the best of me. “Are you okay?”
He quickly gave me a weak smile, trying his best to seem calm. “Yeah, of course, I’m okay. It’s our anniversary, Jane. I couldn’t be happier,” he said, though his voice didn’t sound convincing.
I smiled, but my unease grew. Why was he acting this way? I turned my attention to the menu, something I had memorized by now, but still, I pretended to read it for old time’s sake. But as I glanced up, the shock of my life hit me.
Brian was on one knee, and behind him, a group of musicians was playing soft, romantic melodies with their violins. “Jane, honey, we’ve been together for six years now, and I’m more than certain that I want to spend the rest of my life with you,” he said, his voice steady but full of emotion. “Would you do me the honor of being my wife?”
My breath caught in my throat, and I could only stare at him in disbelief. “Of course, yes!” I exclaimed, jumping from my seat and throwing myself into his arms. The ring he slipped onto my finger was stunning—a beautiful solitaire that must have cost him a fortune. I could hardly believe it. How long had it taken him to save up for something so extravagant?
The next day, I rushed over to my parents’ house to share the news. My mom was overjoyed and gave me a big hug, but my dad’s reaction was completely different.
“You can’t possibly be happy marrying that man, Jane,” he said, his voice laced with concern, but there was something colder beneath it. “What will become of you and your children? Will he even afford to buy you a house? To send your kids to private school?”
I was stunned. “Dad, how could you say that? Brian works hard, and I do, too. We’ll figure it out, like any married couple would,” I shot back, standing my ground.
“Yeah, well, how long did it take him to save up for that ring?” he continued, his words sharp like daggers. “If I were you, I’d return that ring and call the wedding off. It’s not too late. There are plenty of wealthy bachelors I could introduce you to—men I could actually trust with you and the future of my business.”
I was furious. My father only cared about money, not about my happiness. “I can’t believe you’re saying this, Dad,” I said, shaking my head in disbelief. “I have to go.”
Three months of planning went by quickly, and before I knew it, the wedding day had arrived. The excitement was palpable, but as we got ready for the ceremony, Brian seemed distracted. He kept looking around, clearly worried. “Where’s your sister and Maxine?” he asked his mother, his voice filled with urgency.
Brian’s mom hesitated before revealing something that would change everything. “Maxine’s been rushed to the hospital for an emergency heart operation. The doctors won’t start without the down payment, and she doesn’t have much time.”
Brian didn’t hesitate. He immediately decided to ask my father for help. “Sir, I know this is going to sound bad, but I need help. My niece needs surgery, and I’ve spent most of my money on the wedding. Could you lend me some money?” he asked, his voice filled with desperation.
I decided to take a break and go to a nearby coffee shop. As I sipped my drink, I saw Brian walking past, looking around nervously before entering my dad’s office building. “What is he doing here?” I wondered aloud, deciding to follow him.
I paid for my coffee and hurried out, just in time to see Brian step into the elevator. My instincts told me he was headed to my father’s office, so I quickly followed. When I reached the building, I saw Brian, my father, and my father’s lawyer in a room, all talking behind soundproof glass. I couldn’t hear them, but I saw the lawyer hand Brian some papers. Brian signed them and shook hands with both men.
Confusion and anger bubbled up inside me. I couldn’t hold back. Bursting into the room, I demanded, “What is this? What are those papers? Why are you here?”
My father’s face was smug, as if he’d been waiting for this moment. “Your groom here just agreed to never see you again in exchange for money,” he said, his voice cold and dismissive.
My heart shattered. I turned to Brian, hoping for an explanation. “Is that true?” I asked, my voice trembling.
Brian’s eyes filled with tears. “I’m sorry, Jane. Maxine is dying, and she needs this surgery,” he sobbed. “I couldn’t let her die. I had no choice. Your dad promised to help me, but only if I stayed away from you. I’m so sorry, Jane. I love you, but I couldn’t lose her.”
My father’s voice was harsh as he added, “He signed an agreement that he would never contact you again. If you hadn’t barged in, he wouldn’t have been allowed to tell you the truth.” He slammed the papers down on the table, making everything feel even colder.
I felt the weight of betrayal pressing down on me. “How could you do this to me?” I screamed at my dad. “My life isn’t some game for you to control! You ruined everything! You ruined the happiest day of my life!”
My dad’s expression never changed. “You’ll thank me one day,” he muttered, but I had heard enough.
“I never want to see you again!” I yelled, storming out of the office.
I was barely able to make it to the elevator when my knees gave out. I collapsed onto the floor, overwhelmed by grief. “Why?” I cried, unable to hold back my tears.
Then, as if fate had some compassion left, I felt a pair of strong arms wrap around me. It was Brian.
“I’m so sorry, Jane,” he whispered, his voice full of sorrow. “I love you with all my heart, but I couldn’t let Maxine die. I wouldn’t be able to live with myself.”
“You’re the kindest, most selfless man I know,” I said, through my tears. “I understand why you did it, but you should have told me. We could have figured this out together.”
“I didn’t know what to do,” Brian admitted. “You weren’t at the church yet, and your dad was the first person I saw when I heard the news. I’m sorry, Jane. I was trying to do what I thought was right.”
“I know you love me, Brian,” I said, hugging him tightly. “I love you too.”
We spent the next few days working through everything. We visited Maxine in the hospital and paid for her surgery with money we managed to get back from our wedding suppliers. The surgery was a success, and Maxine recovered, full of life again.
A few months later, Brian and I made a big decision—we would start fresh, far away from my toxic father. We moved to a new city, leaving behind the family drama and the painful memories. I made the difficult choice to cut my dad out of my life for good.
“I hope you understand, Mom,” I told her when I explained my decision. “It’s for my own good. I can’t keep allowing his toxic behavior to affect me.”
“I understand, sweetheart,” my mom said, though tears filled her eyes. “But I’ll always be here for you. Please, don’t be a stranger. I can’t bear the thought of not seeing you.”
With my mom’s blessing, Brian and I got married in a small, intimate ceremony. Only a few close friends and family were there, including his parents, his sister, and Maxine, who was doing wonderfully.
Before we left town, we sent the check my dad had issued back to him. I never heard from him again. He blocked my credit cards, and after I quit my job at the family company, I was completely cut off from any inheritance.
But with Brian’s help, I didn’t need him. With the money we had saved, we bought a small house in the suburbs. I found a job at another company, and together, Brian and I worked hard to raise our three children in a loving home.
What can we learn from this story?
Money should never come between love. My father thought he could buy my happiness by separating me from Brian, but in the end, it was love and honesty that saved us.
Always be honest with your partner. When Brian and I faced the truth, all I wished was that he had told me sooner. We could have figured it out together, without all the pain.
We survived because we stuck together, no matter what.