It wasn’t until he failed to appear at the altar on our wedding day that I realized how much my fiancé loved me. I didn’t know what he was signing when I saw him in my father’s office a day later.

 

On the evening of our sixth anniversary together, Brian and I went to our favorite upscale eating establishment. I kept wondering why he appeared so anxious. “What’s the matter, Brian? “Are you okay?” He looked behind me and shuffled in his seat a few times while I asked him.

He smiled as best he could and nodded. His words, “Yeah, of course, I’m okay,” gave me comfort. “It’s our anniversary and I couldn’t be happier.”

 

After grinning at his response, I looked over the menu. For nostalgia’s sake, I looked over the menu even though I had committed it to memory from all the times we had visited the restaurant. I had the surprise of my life by the time I looked up from the menu.

 

 

Behind him, a group of musicians were playing violins in a lovely, quiet melody while Brian was on one knee. “Honey, Jane. After six years of dating, Brian said, “I’m positive that I want to live out the rest of my days with you.” “Would you do me the honor of being my wife?” said the man.

With a gasp, I put my palms over my lips. “Of course, yes!” I said, leaping out of my chair to embrace Brian. I was struck by how long it must have taken Brian to save up for something so large and exquisite as I gazed at the stunning solitaire ring he put on my finger.

 

 

I went to see my parents the next day to inform them about Brian’s proposal. My mother hugged me tightly and was thrilled for me. But my father’s response was a different matter.

“You can’t possibly be happy marrying that man, Jane,” he stated to me. How are you and your kids going to fare? Will he ever be able to purchase a home for you? To send your children to private school?” he began.

 

 

How could you say that, Dad? Brian and I both put in a lot of work. Like all married couples, we’ll work things out together.” I fired back.

In any case, how much time did he need to save up for that ring? As though that would persuade me that he is capable of looking after you. I would return that ring and call off the wedding if I were you. Jane, it’s not too late. I can introduce you to a lot of rich guys, men I can truly trust with my daughter and the future of my company,” he said.

 

Knowing that money was all my dad ever cared about, I scoffed incredulously. Before I could say anything I might later regret, I shook my head and walked out of the house.

 

 

With a little assistance from my mother, Brian and I organized our wedding on our own. After three months of planning, the big day had finally arrived.

Brian was unable to locate his sister and niece before to the ceremony. He questioned his mother, “Where are they?” Brian’s mother reluctantly disclosed that his niece Maxine needed to be hospitalized for an urgent heart surgery.

 

His mother informed him, “Your sister has been looking for people from whom she can borrow money.” Maxine just doesn’t have much time left, but the hospital won’t begin the procedure until they receive a down payment. The operation must begin as soon as possible.

Brian made the snap decision to go to my dad and seek for assistance. “Sir, I realize this will sound awful, but I was wondering if you might give me a loan so I can pay for my niece’s surgery. Brian acknowledged that he had just spent the majority of his money on the wedding.

 

I made the decision to grab coffee at a local café when I unexpectedly noticed Brian surveying the neighborhood before going into my dad’s office complex.

 

 

“I swear, I’ll reimburse you within a month. “All I have to do is finish the month before I get paid,” he said.

My dad gave a headshake. He sneered, “I knew you were up to no good,” As he explained to Brian, “But yes, I will help you, on one condition,”

“Sir, what is it? Without hesitation, Brian answered, “I’ll do anything.”

 

“You need to leave Jane’s life, but you don’t have to reimburse me for the money. “Get out and never return,” he said.

When Brian learned of my father’s situation, his heart skipped a beat. But he grudgingly consented after recalling his mother’s comment that Maxine didn’t have much time left. It was his niece’s only chance to live.

 

 

I was crying at the altar a few minutes later. Everyone tried to comfort me when Brian failed to attend the wedding. “What took place? Yesterday, we were all right,” I sobbed. “Where did he go?” After guests informed me that Brian had been at the church earlier that morning, I persisted in my inquiries.

My dad requested me to come to his office the next day. I arrived early, even though I was meant to meet him in an hour and a half.

 

I made the decision to grab coffee at a local café when I unexpectedly noticed Brian surveying the neighborhood before going into my dad’s office complex. “What is he doing here?” Before choosing to follow him, I asked myself.

Brian was in the elevator by the time I picked up the bill at the coffee shop. I rushed up the next elevator to find out what it was about because I thought he was headed to my dad’s office.

 

 

My dad, Brian, and my dad’s attorney were all in the same room when I got there. I was unable to hear what they were discussing because the glass windows were soundproof. Rather, I saw my dad’s attorney deliver Brian some documents, which he signed before he shook hands with the other men.

At that moment, I couldn’t help but rush in. “What is this? Why are you here, and what are those papers? I shouted.

With a smug expression on his face, my dad seemed to be telling me that he had anticipated this outcome all along. “Your groom here just agreed not to see you ever again in exchange for money,” he stated to me.

 

I gave Brian the most agonizing betrayed expression. “Is that true?” I spoke while attempting to avoid choking due to the constriction in my throat that followed my father’s words.

“I apologize, Jane. Maxine is here. “She needs a costly operation to save her life, and she’s dying,” Brian sobbed. “Your dad stated he would assist me if I didn’t go to the wedding when I asked him for help yesterday. I apologize, Jane. He cried, “I can’t bear to lose my niece.”

 

“He recently signed a contract promising never to be involved in your life again. The documents said he wouldn’t be permitted to tell you the truth either if you hadn’t arrived. My dad slammed the papers on the table and said, “But now that you’re here, I suppose it’s better for you to know that he replaced your relationship for money.”

 

 

“How could you do this to me?!” I shouted at my father. “My life is more than just a plaything! You destroyed what should have been the happiest day of my life and wrecked our relationship.” I sobbed.

“You’re what kind of father? I said, “I never want to see you again,” and walked out of his office.

 

My knees started to give up, and before I could even make it to the elevator, I broke down in tears on the ground. “Why?” No one in particular heard me cry. I felt Brian’s arms around me at that moment.

He sobbed, “I’m sorry, Jane,” “Even though I adore you, I couldn’t let Maxine pass away. It would be impossible for me to live with myself.

I said to Brian, “You are the most generous, selfless man I have ever met.” “I am aware of your good intentions. However, I wish you had told me rather than seeing my father. In this manner, we might have assisted Maxine jointly and still carried on with our wedding.”

 

When Brian realized his error, he sighed and nodded. “I was unsure about what to do. When I heard the news, your dad was the first person I saw, and you hadn’t arrived at the chapel yet. He said to me, “I’m sorry, Jane.”

“I wish you would give me an opportunity to show you how much I care, but I understand if you never want to see me again. He tried to reassure me, saying, “I really do, Jane.”

“I know you do, Brian, and I love you just as much,” I responded.

 

 

We made the decision to discuss our lives and our future plans that day. After receiving reimbursements from our wedding vendors, we paid for the procedure and visited Maxine at the hospital. After a successful surgery, Maxine returned to the vivacious, affectionate girl we all knew.

After three months, Brian and I made the decision to begin a new life together. To start over, we relocated to a new city, and I made the decision to permanently distance myself from my father.

 

“I hope you understand why I had to do this, mom,” I declared when I explained to my mother why I had chosen to avoid my father. “It’s beneficial to me. I simply couldn’t handle him because he was too toxic for me.”

My mother was hurt to hear this, but she totally understood my perspective. Her words, “I will always be here for you, dear,” gave me comfort. “Please come see me, and stay in contact at all times. I can’t stand being apart from you for a long time.”

 

In a modest ceremony, Brian and I were married with my mother’s approval. The only people there were my mother, his parents, his sister and niece, and a couple of our close friends.

My dad issued a check, which Brian and I mailed back to him before we left town. I didn’t hear from him again after that. He shut down my credit cards and prevented me from inheriting anything once I left the family business.

 

 

Together, Brian’s and my years’ worth of savings allowed us to purchase a modest suburban home. We put in a lot of effort to raise our three kids in a loving environment after I was hired by another employer.

What does this narrative teach us?

Never allow your relationship to be hampered by money. Giving Jane money was Jane’s father’s idea on how to induce Brian to leave her. But when Jane learned the truth about her father’s actions, she was more upset with him than with Brian since she recognized that Brian was in a tough spot and had no choice but to comply with her father’s requests.

 

Be truthful with your partner at all times, and together, overcome obstacles in life. All Jane wanted was for Brian to have told her the truth in the first place when she learned the truth. In this manner, they may have carried on without the events at the wedding. In the end, they managed to resolve their differences and cooperate in order to save Maxine and begin a new life together without her father’s involvement.

 

Talk about this tale with your companions. It could motivate them and make their day better.