Ben’s engagement dinner was meant to be a joyful milestone for us. But when he surprised everyone with a framed photo of Natalie, his late wife, and her wedding veil, I realized this wasn’t just about celebration. It was about unresolved pasts. “I want you to wear this on our day,” he said. My heart dropped.
I had shared a home with memories of Natalie for years, but this was different. This was supposed to be my moment. Instead, it felt like I had become a placeholder in a story I never chose.
I confronted Ben in tears, telling him I couldn’t marry a man who loved the past more than our present. “I thought I was your future,” I said softly. I left, returning the dress, and spent time healing alone in a cabin.
Today, I’m starting fresh in a new home filled only with my belongings. I’m not chasing romance—I’m focused on rediscovering myself. And when love comes, it will be for the real me.
