Two days before my wedding, Robert dropped a bombshell—he had to leave for a sudden work trip. It made no sense. Something felt off, and when a call from his boss didn’t add up, I decided to follow him. What I discovered was a truth that shattered everything I thought I knew about love, trust, and the man I was about to marry.
I’d always feared that love had passed me by. Turning thirty had hit me hard; it felt like time was running out. I wasn’t sure if I would ever find the one person who would make me feel complete. But then came Robert. Smart, kind, sweet, and everything I had ever wanted. Our relationship had been everything I dreamed of, and now, two days away from my wedding, I couldn’t believe it was finally happening.
But that joy was quickly replaced by doubt the moment Robert walked into the bedroom. His face was tight with worry, and I knew something wasn’t right.
“What’s wrong?” I asked, feeling the tension in the air.
Robert hesitated, rubbing the back of his neck nervously. “Katherine, I’m so sorry, but I have to go on a work trip.”
I blinked, confused. “What? Our wedding is in two days. How can you leave now?”
“I know,” Robert said softly. “But I promise I’ll be back in time. Maybe even the night before the wedding.”
“Are you serious?” My voice was sharp, though I tried to keep it steady. “You’re leaving me alone at a time like this?”
Robert sighed, stepping closer to me. “I wouldn’t go if it wasn’t important. Everything’s planned, and nothing should go wrong. I hate doing this to you, but I really need to go.”
I couldn’t hold back my frustration. “But why?” My emotions were bubbling over now, the weight of the moment too much to contain.
He pulled me into a tight hug, his arms warm but his voice heavy with regret. “I’ll make it up to you, Katherine. We have our whole lives ahead of us.”
I bit my lip, trying to steady myself. “Who’s going with you?” I asked quietly.
“Travis,” he replied. “That’s why it’s so important.”
I knew Travis was his boss, so I understood, but that didn’t make it any easier. My thoughts raced, but I managed to say, “Fine. But you better make it up to me.”
He smiled, kissing me on the forehead. “I’ll make it right, I promise.”
After a few minutes, Robert started packing. I watched him, feeling like something inside me was cracking. Each folded shirt, each packed suitcase felt like a small betrayal.
I glanced at the edge of the bed where his plane tickets lay. My heart skipped a beat. The destination on the ticket didn’t make sense. His company had no reason to be in that city. Was it a mistake? Maybe they were expanding? I couldn’t shake the nagging feeling that something wasn’t right.
He kissed me goodbye and left. A few minutes later, my phone buzzed with a call from Travis. Why was he calling? My heart raced.
“Hello? Is everything alright?” My voice trembled as I answered.
“Everything’s fine,” Travis said, sounding calm and collected. “I just wanted to let you know I won’t be able to make it to the wedding. I’ll be out of town on business. But I’d still like to send you and Robert a gift. How can I get it to you?”
My stomach twisted. “Wait, Robert will be back in time, right?” I asked, trying to make sense of it all.
Travis paused, sounding confused. “Katherine, I’m not sure what you mean. I would never send Robert on a trip this close to his wedding. Did he say I did?”
I froze, my mind spinning. “Oh, no. I must have misunderstood,” I stammered. “I’ll let you know about the gift.”
“Okay,” Travis said, his voice unsure. “Let me know if you need anything.”
I hung up, my heart pounding. Robert had lied to me. I didn’t know why, but I couldn’t sit still. I needed answers.
I grabbed my coat, my wallet, and my bag, leaving everything else behind. My hands were shaking as I drove to the airport. I had to follow him. I had to know the truth.
At the airport, I scrambled through security, feeling like every eye was on me. Once through, I pulled my hair into a hood and threw on sunglasses. I scanned the waiting area, and then I saw him.
Robert. Sitting near the gate, head down, engrossed in his phone. I stayed far enough away to avoid being seen, but close enough to follow him. When the flight was called, I let him board first. My heart pounded in my chest as I stepped onto the plane after him, careful to stay out of his line of sight.
The flight was agonizing. Every shift in his seat felt like it was echoing in my mind. What was he thinking? What was he hiding?
When we landed, I spotted Robert again. He didn’t notice me as I followed him outside. He hailed a taxi, and I did the same, my pulse racing.
“Follow that car, but keep your distance,” I instructed the driver, who nodded but gave me a curious look. My hands were ice-cold, my heart thundering in my chest.
The taxi stopped in front of a small house in a quiet neighborhood. I told the driver to pull over a few houses away and paid him quickly, my thoughts scattered. I wasn’t sure what I was about to find, but I had to know.
I hid behind a tree, watching as Robert got out of the taxi. He stood still for a moment, hesitating before knocking on the door.
I held my breath, my chest tightening as the door opened. A figure appeared, but I couldn’t see who it was. Robert stepped inside, and the door closed behind him.
I stood there for a moment, frozen in disbelief. Then, summoning all my courage, I crept closer. I needed to know. My hands shook as I peered through a nearby window, my breath fogging the glass.
Inside, Robert sat with a woman I didn’t recognize. My heart stopped as they hugged—exactly like he always hugged me. The pain shot through me, sharp and sudden, and tears streamed down my face.
I don’t know how long I stood there, my body trembling, unable to move. But then, the sound of the front door opening snapped me out of my daze.
I ducked into the bushes, hiding as Robert walked outside, his face unreadable. He climbed into a taxi and left, not looking back.
My chest felt tight as I stepped out of hiding. I walked up to the door, my legs weak beneath me. I knocked, my breath coming in shallow gasps.
A few moments later, the woman opened the door. She took one look at me, her gaze softening when she saw my tears.
“Are you alright? How can I help you?” she asked gently.
“I’m Robert’s fiancée,” I managed to say, my voice shaking. “In two days, I’m supposed to be his wife.”
Her face went pale. “Oh,” she said, stepping aside. “Please, come in.”
She led me into the kitchen, where she offered me a glass of water. I took it gratefully, trying to steady myself.
“I know how this must look,” she said after a long 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. “That doesn’t make it better,” I said, my grip tightening on the glass.
Liz sighed, her voice steady. “Our relationship wasn’t healthy. There were things Robert needed to fix in himself. He came here to apologize.”
“Apologize? Why now?” I asked, my voice sharp with confusion and pain.
“Because he didn’t want to carry the weight of his past into his future with you,” Liz said. “He loves you deeply, Katherine. He wanted to make peace with his past so it wouldn’t affect your future together.”
I shook my head, my thoughts swirling. “Why didn’t he tell me? Why lie to me?”
Liz’s expression softened, a small, understanding smile on her face. “We all have things we carry. Some we share, some we don’t. I’m happily married now, with two kids. Robert talks about you all the time. You’ll make each other happy. We were never meant to be, but you and Robert are.”
I nodded slowly, unsure of what to feel. Liz offered to let me stay until my flight, and after meeting her family, I began to calm down. I saw the love in her eyes for her husband, and it reminded me of how I felt about Robert.
I returned home just as the first light of dawn touched the sky. Robert was waiting by the door, his face full of worry.
“Katherine, where were you?” he asked, his voice filled with tension. “I was so worried. I called you a million times. I thought something happened to you.”
I stood there, unsure how to start. “I don’t know what to say,” I admitted quietly.
Robert stepped back, his hands still on my shoulders. “Then let me start. I lied to you,” he said, regret in his eyes. “I wasn’t on a work trip—”
“I know,” I interrupted, looking him in the eyes.
He nodded slowly, his expression full of regret. “I’m sorry. I should’ve told you the truth. But I swear, I didn’t do anything wrong.”
“I know,” I said softly. “And I’m sorry too.”
“Sorry? Why?” Robert asked, confused.
“Because I doubted you,” I said, my voice trembling. “I followed you. I went to Liz’s house. She explained everything.”
Robert’s face softened with understanding. “Katherine, I love you. 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 in to kiss him, feeling the truth settle between us like a gentle promise.
