I thought the moment had finally come. Dinner with my best friend felt like the start of something more between us. But then he introduced me to his fiancée—a woman who once betrayed me for money. The past was catching up, and I had to prevent it from stealing my future.
Wyatt and I had always been close. He wasn’t just a friend. He was my person, the one who knew everything about me. Our daily phone calls became something I couldn’t live without. Each one left me feeling calmer and more at peace.
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It was easy to talk to him about anything. We chatted about life, and silly things, even about that old joke where he once promised to take me on a carriage ride through Central Park.
That joke was us. It represented everything about our friendship: easy and carefree, always with a hint of something more just beneath the surface.
One day, during one of our usual calls, Wyatt caught me off guard.
“Hey, I’ve got a surprise for you.”
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“A surprise?” I raised my eyebrows, instantly curious. “What kind of surprise?”
“Well, why don’t you come visit this weekend, and you’ll find out?”
My heart jumped. “Are you serious? You really want me to come?”
“Yeah, I’ve been thinking about it for a while. It’s been too long since we hung out in person.”
“Too long, huh?” I tried to keep my tone light, but my excitement was building.
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“Exactly. Why not? You could use a little break, and we can spend some time together.”
The idea of spending time with him in person felt like something out of a dream.
“So, does this mean I finally get to take you on that carriage ride?” I teased, bringing up our long-running joke.
Wyatt chuckled. “Maybe. If you’re lucky.”
My mind raced with possibilities. “Alright, I’m booking my ticket now.”
“No need,” he interrupted. “I already got you one. You’re flying out tomorrow.”
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My breath caught in my throat. “You did?”
“Of course. I thought you could use the break. I’ll pick you up from the airport.”
After we hung up, I stared at my closet and started packing my things. I couldn’t shake the feeling that the trip would be different.
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***
The moment I arrived, Wyatt greeted me with his usual warmth. He gave me a quick hug and said, “I’ve got a special place picked out for dinner. You’ll love it.”
I smiled, feeling butterflies in my stomach. That was it, the moment I had been waiting for. Everything felt perfect, like a scene from a movie where two friends finally realize what they’ve been denying for years.
Later that evening, we walked into the cozy restaurant. The candles were flickering on the tables, and soft music was playing in the background. I imagined our special evening exactly like that.
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But then everything changed.
“We’re meeting someone,” Wyatt said casually, breaking my train of thought.
Before I could ask, he waved over to a woman sitting at a table near the back. As we approached, I recognized her immediately.
“Jessica, meet Lila. My fiancée,” Wyatt said, his voice full of pride.
My mind went blank. Lila. Of all people. The same Lila who had betrayed me in school.
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Once, she sold me out for money when we were supposed to be friends. I tried to keep myself together, but inside, I was screaming.
Lila greeted me with a smile that was too perfect, too rehearsed.
“Jessica! Long time no see,” she said, her voice dripping with sweetness.
My mind was scrambling for the right words.
“Lila… yeah, it’s been a while.”
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I could feel the tension building in my chest, but I pushed it down. That wasn’t the time to start anything.
“Didn’t expect to see you here,” I added.
“Oh, I’m sure. Small world, huh?” she said, glancing at Wyatt before turning back to me.
I sat down, feeling numb. This wasn’t how the night was supposed to go. I had been dreaming about a romantic dinner with Wyatt, not playing nice with the woman who had hurt me.
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Throughout dinner, Lila acted like the perfect fiancée. She was permanently laughing at Wyatt’s jokes, holding his hand, and casually talking about their future together.
“So, have you guys set a date yet?” I asked, trying to stay engaged in the conversation.
Lila beamed. “Yep, October 12. Something small, intimate… you know, just family and close friends.”
Wyatt smiled and nodded, clearly happy with her answer.
“Yeah, Lila’s been amazing with the planning. I’m just along for the ride, really.”
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“Sounds great,” I muttered, picking at my food.
Suddenly, Wyatt’s phone buzzed.
“I’ll just be a minute,” he said, standing up and stepping away from the table.
As soon as he was out of earshot, Lila leaned in, her sweet smile gone.
“You need to understand something,” she whispered. “Wyatt doesn’t have time for you anymore. You should leave us alone.”
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I stared at her. “Excuse me?”
“You heard me. Wyatt’s mine now, and there’s no room for you. Got it?”
Her words hit me like a slap. Just moments ago, she had been the sweet, graceful fiancée. Then, she showed her true colors.
Before I could respond, Wyatt returned to the table, and just like that, Lila’s fake smile was back in place as if nothing had happened.
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Lila glanced at me with that practiced sweetness and said, “Oh, Wyatt, honey. Jessica told me her mom hasn’t been feeling well. She might not make it to the wedding.”
What? I never said that!
Wyatt turned to me. “Is that true, Jess? Why didn’t you say anything?”
Okay, let’s play that game.
“Unfortunately,” I said, glaring at Lila.
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“Well, regardless, I want you at the rehearsal. Please, Jess, it will not feel right without you there.”
“Of course, I’ll be there,” I said, smiling.
I had to find a way to show him who Lila really was.
As we left the restaurant, my heart felt heavy. Lila was standing right between me and the future I wanted with Wyatt.
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***
At the wedding rehearsal, Lila clung to Wyatt like glue. She was always by his side, her hand never far from his arm. Every time I tried to approach Wyatt, Lila stepped in. Frustration boiled inside me.
That’s when I decided to take a risk. I pulled Wyatt’s Aunt Sylvia aside during a quiet moment and confided in her, whispering my suspicions about Lila’s true motives.
“I know it sounds crazy,” I said, my voice low. “But I think Lila’s only with Wyatt for his money. I wouldn’t say this unless I had a reason.”
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Aunt Sylvia raised an eyebrow, clearly skeptical.
“Are you sure about this, dear? Wyatt seems happy.”
“Just tell her there is trouble with his family’s finances.”
I waited, watching for any sign of her true nature surfacing.
As the rehearsal went on, Lila took her chance to make her move. She gracefully excused herself from Wyatt’s side and walked to the center of the room, picking up a microphone.
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“Hi, everyone,” she began. “I’m sorry to interrupt, but I feel like there’s something important that needs to be addressed.”
She paused, letting the suspense build, her fingers lightly gripping the microphone.
“It’s come to my attention that some… rumors have been circulating.”
I froze, my plan backfired. Aunt Sylvia wasn’t on my side. I underestimated her loyalty to Lila.
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I could feel the weight of everyone’s eyes slowly shifting toward me. Lila continued, her voice dripping with false concern.
“There’s been talk that Wyatt’s family is having financial problems.” She paused again, glancing directly at me now, her eyes cold and calculating.
“These rumors are simply untrue, and I hate to think that they’ve been spread out of… jealousy.”
A murmur swept through the room.
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I couldn’t believe what I was hearing. Lila returned to Wyatt’s side, slipping her arm through his as if she hadn’t just publicly humiliated me.
I could barely breathe as Wyatt stepped forward, looking pale and shaken.
“I didn’t think I’d have to confess this publicly,” he said, his voice trembling, “but yes, I am bankrupt.”
For a moment, I saw a flicker of fear in Lila’s eyes, but she quickly recovered, wrapping her arms around Wyatt.
“It’s okay, darling,” she cooed, loud enough for everyone to hear. “We’ll get through this.”
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Wyatt’s gaze turned to me.
“Why, Jess? Why would you do something like this?”
“Wyatt, I am trying to protect you. Lila is not who you think she is.”
The damage was done. I looked like a jealous fool, and Lila had won.
Wyatt shook his head slowly.
“I trusted you, Jess. I can’t believe you’d spread rumors like this.”
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My heart shattered as I met his gaze, hoping for just a flicker of understanding. But there was nothing but disappointment in his eyes.
“I never meant to hurt you,” I whispered. “I love you.”
The words slipped out before I could stop them. But Wyatt’s expression didn’t change.
I couldn’t stand there any longer. I turned and ran. I didn’t look back as I pushed through the doors and into the cool night air.
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***
The next morning, my bags were packed, and I stood at the curb, waiting for my taxi to the airport. The ache in my chest was heavier than my suitcase.
Wyatt was going to marry Lila. I had lost him, and I had no one to blame but myself.
As I stared down the empty street, I heard the faint sound of hooves. At first, I thought it was my imagination, but it wasn’t. A carriage, the same one Wyatt and I had always joked about, was pulling up in front of me.
And there he was, sitting inside with a soft smile.
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“Wyatt?”
“Hello, princess. Care for a ride?”
I blinked, caught off guard by the lightness in his tone.
“Wyatt… What about the wedding?”
He let out a small laugh. “Lila left right after the rehearsal. Everything became clear after that.”
“She… she left?”
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“Yeah. Turns out you were right about her all along.”
I felt guilt wash over me. “Wyatt, I’m so sorry.”
“I didn’t know you were really struggling. I never wanted to hurt you like that. I even thought about helping with my savings if it could save your business.”
“Jess, I’m not bankrupt.”
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I stared at him. “What? But you said…”
“I played along at the rehearsal,” he interrupted.
“The truth is, you’ve always been more than just a friend to me, Jess, but I was afraid to admit it. I didn’t want to ruin what we had. But after all of this, I know now.”
“Wyatt, I…”
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Before I could finish, he kissed me. The world seemed to melt away. All I could feel was the love that had always been there between us, quietly waiting for the right time.
He took my hand and led me toward the carriage.
“Come on, I promised you that ride, didn’t I?”
We climbed into the carriage together, and as it started moving through the streets. That wasn’t just some joke anymore.
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