The Woman You Thought Would Stay

“Are you really going to marry him?” I looked at Mira through the mirror and smiled. “Of course.” She laughed as she fixed a strand of my hair. “Grabe, Lia. Six years together and finally, you're getting married.” I looked down at my left hand. The engagement ring caught the afternoon sunlight, making the tiny diamonds sparkle. I couldn't help but smile. Six years. Six years of memories, arguments, late-night calls, birthdays, anniversaries, and countless promises. And now, Adrian and I were finally getting married. “I still can't believe it,” I whispered. Mira smiled at me through the mirror. “You deserve to be happy.” I turned around and hugged her. “Thank you for always being there for me.” She hugged me back. “Always.” Those words meant everything to me. At that time, I had no reason to doubt her. Mira had been my best friend since college. She knew my secrets, my fears, my dreams, and even the little things Adrian didn't know about me. If there was one person I trusted completely, it was her. And if there was one person I trusted with my future, it was Adrian. My fiancé. The man I thought I would spend the rest of my life with. --- That evening, Adrian picked me up for dinner. The moment I entered his car, he smiled. “You're beautiful.” I rolled my eyes playfully. “You say that every time.” “Because it's true every time.” I laughed. Adrian reached for my hand and kissed my fingers. My heart fluttered. “Are you excited?” he asked. “For the wedding?” He nodded. “Very.” He smiled, but for a brief second, I noticed something strange in his expression. Something distant. “Are you okay?” “I'm fine.” “You look tired.” “Just work.” I nodded. Adrian had always been busy. His family owned several businesses, and he had recently taken on more responsibilities. I understood. At least, I thought I did. “After the wedding,” he said, “I'll make more time for you.” I smiled. “You better.” “I promise.” Promises. Back then, I believed every single one. --- Dinner was perfect. Or at least, I thought it was. Adrian talked about the wedding preparations while I excitedly told him about the dress I had been considering. Then his phone rang. He looked at the screen. His expression changed. Just for a second. “Who's that?” “A work call.” He stood up. “I'll be right back.” I watched him walk outside. Through the restaurant window, I could see him talking on the phone. He looked serious. When he returned, I smiled. “Everything okay?” “Yeah.” He sat beside me. Then his phone vibrated again. This time, he immediately turned it face down. I stared at it. Something inside me felt uneasy. But I pushed the feeling away. Maybe I was just being paranoid. After all, Adrian loved me. Didn't he? --- Later that night, Adrian drove me home. Before I got out of the car, he pulled me into a hug. “I'll see you tomorrow.” “Tomorrow?” “Yeah. I have something to do in the morning.” I smiled. “Don't forget our dinner tomorrow night.” “I won't.” He kissed my forehead. I stepped out of the car and watched him drive away. I touched my engagement ring. A small smile formed on my lips. I had everything I ever wanted. A loving fiancé. A best friend. A beautiful family. A future. I didn't know that sometimes, the happiest moments in your life are the ones you remember most painfully later. That night, I went to sleep believing I was loved. I had no idea that somewhere in the same city, two people were already keeping a secret from me. And soon... I would discover that the future I had been dreaming about was never as perfect as I thought.