“What secret?” I asked, my heart racing.
“You lied about your family’s finances,” she accused. “Your family is bankrupt, and you’re marrying me to save your business, aren’t you?”
I froze. Part of what she said was true, but I hadn’t intended for her to find out this way. Yes, my family’s business was struggling, and I hoped our marriage might help, but I loved Jane. It was never about the money.
“Jane, please, let me explain,” I started, but she interrupted.
“There’s nothing to explain, Nathan,” she said, her voice breaking. “Your mother pushed you to find someone wealthy to solve your problems. I can’t believe I was foolish enough to fall for you.”
I wanted to tell her everything, to make her understand that I loved her more than anything, but I couldn’t find the words.
“It’s over,” Jane declared, turning and walking away from the altar.
I stood there, helpless, as the woman I loved walked out of my life. My friends tried to console me, but all I could think about was how everything had fallen apart in an instant.
I ran after her, desperate to explain. “Jane, please! You have to believe me.”
She refused to look at me. “I don’t want to hear any more lies, Nathan.”
Blocking her path, I pleaded, “I’m telling the truth. I swear I never cheated on you. My mother has always been against us, and she’s trying to ruin what we have.”
Just then, Lauren, my best friend, stepped out of the church. “Jane, please,” she said. “Nathan and I are just friends. He loves you. You have to believe that.”
Jane looked between us, unsure of what to believe.
“If I was after your money, why would I have signed the prenup?” I asked, holding her hands. “I signed it to protect you. I wouldn’t have done that if I had bad intentions.”
Tears filled her eyes as she looked at me, torn between heartbreak and betrayal.
“You should have told me everything,” she whispered. “How can I trust you after all this?”
She was right. I should have been honest from the start. But now it was too late.
“I’m sorry, Jane,” I said, my voice breaking. “I love you, and I wish I could fix everything.”
She wiped her tears and shook her head. “I’m sorry too, Nathan. But I can’t marry someone who keeps secrets. It’s over.”
And just like that, the love of my life walked away.
Since that day, I’ve wished I had been more honest, that I had fought harder for our relationship. But the damage was done, and the lies had cost me everything.