ed'

l the intricate details of my impending marriage was daunting. I decided it was best to keep the conversation with Stacey simpl

ted disagreements that often test a couple's bond. Stacey had a remarkable way of managing our relationship with grace and pois

er customer because my flight had been delayed while I was out of the country. Despite my lapse, Stacey never reproached me; instead, she displayed remarkable understanding

ation or reluctance, she never pressured me into anything. She allowed me the space to

o understanding my predicament. Stacey had always shown herself to be an exceptionally understanding person, as far as I

ormed me that I was expected to marry Colleen and end my relationship with Stacey, I was taken aback.

couldn't help but second-guess my decision, and I ended up staying at the hotel. Maybe I had arrived too early because I waited f

re about to embark upon. She approached me, her smile unwavering, and settled onto my lap, sealing our

t we had seen each other just a couple of days ago. Yet, in our relationship, time seemed to possess a fluid quality.

ng to reassure her. "What took you s

he teased, capturing my lips in a passionate kiss. Our fervent

you," Stacey observed, her intuition remarkably sharp.

reak her heart, but I knew it was a necessary conversation. I refused to be the kind of man w

ith a heavy heart, I finally dropped the bomb, uttering the words I had long been

ter a few moments, she managed to find her voice. "Let's break up?" Her quest

u in any way?" Stacey fired a barrage of ques

able to speak the truth about why I was ending our relat

Stacey implored, tears streaming down her chee

a marriage for me," I confesse

Why did you agree to marry her?" Stacey cri

to say no to them," I replied, my ow

ll marrying her expand your business?" Stacey contin

at Colleen was incomparable to her. I didn't want to give her false hope, nor did I want to encourage her. My primary conce

t bear to witness her pain any longer. I rose from my seat and

allowed the company's demands to dictate the course of my life, and I knew I would carry this guilt and self-loathing with me for a long time. My hope was