It was supposed to be a night of life – when I finally knew all my hopes and dreams would come true.
But nothing will appear, as we expect, right? There is always something that will catch you from sight and let you stand as a result and try to combine what has gone wrong. I thought everything was perfect – my relationship with Josh,
my career, my life in general. I knew a little, the truth was just below the surface, ready to break everything I believed. What happened next, I could never predict.
It all started when I found it. Ring.
I thought our anniversary would be the right time for Josh to propose, but I never imagined a shocking twist that expected me. The ring was not intended for me and this revelation changed everything I believed in our relationship upside down.
Josh and I have lived together for more than a year and everything felt as if it fell to the place. Life seemed to have finally coped, just as I always dreamed. But just a few days before our anniversary, I came across something unexpected.
Ring!
My heart skipped the rhythm as I stiffened and held a velvety box in my hand. I couldn’t believe it.
Is it really happening?
I quickly closed the box and feared that if I stayed too long, I would spoil the surprise. But I knew deeply that it was happening – Josh was going to design.
That must be a moment!
The timing felt perfect and dinner with his parents looked like an ideal environment that turned to the question.
I have just finished the main project and introduced it to check investors. Now it is clear with my schedule that it seemed to me that the universe gave me this opportunity to concentrate on us completely.
I also planned a trip to the surprise of the anniversary to Paris, the escape of dreams I enjoyed for months to allow it. I asked Wayne, Josh’s best friend for help because he knew Joshua well and could believe my plans would be secret.
“Wayne, I want it to be perfect,” I explained. “Can you help me pull it out?” Josh catches when I start acting strangely. ”
He agreed, but there was a hint of concern in his eyes. “Can I help, but are you sure you are going to do everything?” Sometimes it is easier to improve. ”
“I know, but I want Josh to know how much he means to me,” I replied.
“Okay, I will take care of the details.” Just remember that you don’t have to walk overboard. ”
I appreciated Wayn’s advice, but I was determined to make this anniversary unforgettable for Josh.
The next day we arrived at Josh’s family farm. It was bigger than I imagined, with a huge sense of wealth and history. Josh’s mother, Darlene, warmly greeted him, but hardly acknowledged me.
“Joshi, darling, it’s been too long,” she said, wrapping her hands around her. “I believe the city has not changed you?”
Josh laughed embarrassingly. “Of course not, Mom.”
I stood there and tried to talk, but Darlene’s Cold Beanor made it impossible to join. During dinner, things worsened until she addressed me.
“So, Kate,” she said, and her tone sharp, “Do you have to be busy with work?”
“Yeah, I just finished a big project and introduced it to some investors,” I replied.
“Oh, so nice,” she said. “Women in our family are not just nice faces, you know.”
What should that mean?
“We are strategists,” she continued, leaning slightly. “We know how to protect what is ours.”
Her words felt more like a threat than a compliment. Meanwhile, Josh seemed to blame tension.
Later, when he was sitting in the living room, there was an unpleasant silence. I tried to shake off the feeling that it was in place and focus on the ring. Our love would certainly overcome anything and this ring was proof of it.
The next day was our anniversary. I woke up with butterflies in my stomach and eagerly predicted dinner that would mean the beginning of our next chapter.
“Today,” I whispered, imagining a proposal, and rang on my finger.
Surprisingly, Darlene was much more friendly than the night before.
“I hope you slept well, Kate,” she said during breakfast.
But as we enjoyed appetizers in the garden, something was not feeling well. I noticed a woman I hadn’t seen before.
“Who is it?” I asked Joshua and leaned.
“Oh, that’s Lindo.” A friend of childhood, ”he replied, hardly looking up.
When he was wearing the evening, Linda quickly became the center of attention and I felt more and more like an outsider. As she finally approached, she looked at me and jumped before turning to Josh with a clear smile.
“Joshi, it was too long,” she said, her voice sweet.
Then she laughed sharply and added, “Dress … for such an event is not right, but you wear it well.”
My face was rinsed with embarrassment and I tried to find my voice. I felt like I didn’t belong.
As the evening progressed, it was clear that Linda was not just an occasional friend – she was someone with a deep connection with Josh’s family. My uncertainty grew when I heard that Darlene would whisper to Lind: “Everything will fit soon.”
What can that mean?
Before I could process it, Josh turned to me, his face grim.
“Kate, I have to tell you something,” he said, he took a deep breath and avoided my gaze. “Linda and I … we’ve been together for a long time.” I tried to love you, but my parents know what’s best for me. I can’t disappoint them. ”
My heart sank.
Without giving me a chance to answer, Josh went to the center of the room where everyone gathered and fell on one knee. He looked at Linda and suggested in front of everyone.
I couldn’t move. I came from the estate, through the garden, my vision blurred by tears.
How could he do that?
I hit the paving areas, caught my uneven path, and felt as if my world had disintegrated immediately.
Suddenly I felt my hand on my elbow. I turned and was frightened to find Wayna there.
“Kate, wait!” Called out of his breath. “You left your handbag in the hall.”
“Oh … Thanks,” I murmured, wiping my face.
“I saw everything,” Wayne said quietly. “I know how hard it is for you.” Now you shouldn’t be alone. ”
I wanted to tell him I needed space, but I didn’t know how to be alone at the moment.
“Well,” Wayne said gently. “There is a bakery around the corner.” Let’s have a coffee and a croissant. You have to calm down. ”
We sat at a small table and Wayne handed me a cup of coffee. “Kate, I have to tell you something.”
“What is it?” I asked.
“Lindo … she was always what Josh’s family wanted him to be.” They talked about it for years, even though he was with you, ”Wayne explained, and his voice was full of regret. “Josh never took you seriously.” You’ve always been … temporary. ”
I couldn’t believe it. When I gripped a cup, my hands were trembling.
“So I was just … a substitute symbol?” I whispered.
Wayne nodded and his expression apologized. “I know it hurts, but you deserve to know the truth.” I stopped being friends with Linda because of what she did. But I came to the party with respect to Josh’s family. ”
The anger burned in me. I was so naive. I thought Josh and I had a future, but I was nothing but comfort.
At that moment my phone cracked and interrupted my thoughts. I looked down and saw a message that changed everything.
“Investors,” I whispered, “said yes.”
Wayne looked up, surprised. “Really?”
“Yeah. My project … it happens, ”I said, the feeling of mistrust washed over me.
Wayne smiled. “That’s incredible, Kate.” I knew you could do it. ”
I smiled back. “It’s unreal.” Everything I worked for will finally come together. ”
“There is a big event next week,” I added. “The official start of investors.”
“That sounds fantastic,” Wayne said with a smile.
I laughed quietly. “That’s. But there’s one little detail.”
“O?” Wayne picked up his eyebrows.
“I need a date,” I said, looking at him.
“Do you want me to come?” He asked a little surprised.
“Yes. You were here for me, Wayne. So would you come with me? ”I asked and felt nervous.
“Kate, I would be honored,” Wayne said with a real smile.
The event of the event arrived quickly. I stood in front of the mirror, wearing a luxurious dress, and felt confident and ready for a new beginning.
Wayne picked me up and looked sharp in his suit. “Wow, you look amazing,” he said with a smile.
“Thanks. Let’s do it, ”I replied, feeling stronger than ever.
When we arrived, I saw Joshua and his family. For a moment I prepared myself for the confrontation I expected, but when I looked at Josh, something changed. All anger, all the need for revenge – it was no longer. I don’t care.
Wayne noticed my shift in behavior. “Are you okay?” He asked.
I nodded. “Yeah, I’m fine.” Actually … I’m better than okay. ”
When I watched Joshua and his family, I realized something important: I didn’t have to prove anything to them. No longer.
When I looked at Wayn, I understood that this moment was not about revenge. It was about moving forward.
“Let’s go here,” I whispered to Wayne and smiled. “Back to the bakery?”
His eyes lit up and smiled.
“Sure.”
When we walked out of the event, my arms in the arm, I fell out of my shoulders.
That night I realized that my value does not come from the opinions of others.
Wayn and my side I was ready to start fresh and leave the past behind.
In the end, Kate was the way to regenerate your sense of yourself and realize your own value outside her relationship with Josh. While the shock of betrayal shook deeply, he became the catalyst of her transformation. Through her own strength, like Wayne, unexpected support, she found that her happiness was not tied to someone else’s approval or verification. When Kate released the past and accepted her own achievements, she entered the future, where she could really flourish because she knew that the greatest love story was the one who was standing with himself.