Unable to wait, Nathan interrupted the quiet church, demanding, “Tell me now, Jane.”
She sighed, and her words shattered his world. “Your mother told me everything, Nathan. She said you were planning to leave me for Lauren. This black dress? It’s for the death of what we had.”
Stunned, Nathan protested, “That’s not true! Lauren and I are just friends. I swear.” But Jane’s trust had been deeply eroded. With everyone watching, she revealed her feelings of betrayal—not just about the alleged affair, but also the financial struggles Nathan had hidden.
“I found out you were marrying me to save your family’s failing business,” she said bitterly. “Why would you lie about something so huge?”
Nathan admitted his family was struggling but insisted that he loved Jane and never pursued her for her wealth. It was too late; her faith in him had been shattered by secrets and suspicions. She turned and left the church, wiping tears as she walked away.
Nathan stood frozen, paralyzed by regret. He had lost the love of his life, left alone at the altar by the woman he believed was his soulmate. In the following weeks, he cut ties with his mother, unable to forgive her for the damage she had caused. He reached out to Jane repeatedly, but she never answered.
Reflecting on his loss, Nathan realized that secrets and lies had cost him everything. He had been given love but lost it due to his choices, haunted by the future he would never have with Jane.