As we walked hand in hand toward the church, a stranger stopped my fiancée in her tracks. His words struck like a hammerEmily was carrying his child. The man intercepted her right there on the church steps, and the truth was undeniable. Shock rippled through the crowd, but none felt it more deeply than I. Had I known sooner, everything might have turned out differently.
Id only recently moved to an unfamiliar city, with no intention of ever returning homenot after what happened with my ex-fiancée. I was born late to my parents due to complications with my mothers health, but despite their strict upbringing, I never doubted their love for me. They wanted me to grow into a decent man, and though their methods were firm, their hearts were in the right place.
School hadnt come easily to meespecially maths and sciencesbut I took pride in hard work. As a boy, I helped my father with repairs, tended to the livestock, and gathered feed for winter. I even enjoyed looking after our chickens. Later, Mum taught me to cook and iron, and as I grew older, I took on more chores to ease their burden.
After finishing secondary school, university seemed out of reach financially, so I enrolled in a nearby technical college, close enough to help my parents if needed. I visited them every weekend, lending a hand around the house and occasionally meeting up with mates.
Then everything changed when I met *her*. Emily, a first-year student at a neighbouring college, caught my eye instantlyslim, with striking auburn hair that turned heads wherever she went. At first, I couldnt believe shed agreed to go out with me, but soon, we were inseparable.
Mum was the first to notice the shift in meI barely slept, stopped seeing my friends, and rarely came home. Dad joked that Id been bewitched by a city girl, but they were wrongEmily lived just a few villages over. Still, I kept things quiet at first, wanting to be sure of her feelings before telling anyone.
We spent every spare moment togetherparties, trips, evenings in her dorm. Shed even surprise me with homemade cakes during lunch breaks, making me feel cherished. I truly believed no one could ever compare to her.
When I finally told my parents about us, they immediately started hinting at grandchildren. It was too soonEmily had only just finished her first yearbut deep down, I couldnt help imagining her walking down the aisle in a white dress. I thought I’d found my soulmate.
On our first anniversary, I planned a lavish dinner at a restaurant, but Emily had her own surpriseshe was pregnant. Overjoyed, I proposed on the spot. She said yes.
The next week, we broke the news to our families. Despite my nerves, it went better than I’d hoped. Our parents got along brilliantly, treating each other like kin. Mine adored Emily as if she were their own, and her family welcomed me warmly. We were elateduntil the nightmare began.
We decided to marry quickly so the baby would be born in wedlock. After the civil ceremony, we headed to the church with our guests, my parents helping with the arrangements. Then, as we walked hand in hand toward the doors, a stranger stepped forward and shattered everything.
He claimed the child was his. Threatened legal action, swore he wouldnt let another man raise his baby. At first, I thought he was madsome lunatic causing a scene.
But Emily didnt deny it. She stood silent, eyes fixed on the ground, tears spilling when I demanded the truth. I didnt wait for detailsjust turned and walked away, leaving her behind. The next week passed in a blur.
A month later, I left for London, transferring to a new college to start afresh. I never went back to my hometown, never asked what became of Emily. My parents never mention her, and Im too afraid to ask.
Eventually, I met another womannothing like Emily. Honest, direct, real. I ended things with Emily from a distance, vowing never to let my heart break like that again.
