Imagine being completely shocked to learn that your fiancé is proposing to someone else rather than to you. The fact that the ring was a perfect duplicate of yours was the worst part. That was my experience, but let me tell you something: I have a low threshold for betrayal.
My name is Jessica, and I was enjoying what I thought would be a forever relationship with my fiance, Jack. In movies, the idea of a fast-paced romance works best since the audience never knows what will happen until the credits roll.
I had the credulity to think Jack was the one. We had only been dating for six months when he asked me out to my favorite restaurant. There were even others who were cheering us on. I took him at his word and told all my friends about it, maybe a little too proudly. Our connection seems to be intended. But life had other plans.
At work, I was given an opportunity. The contract was only for six months, but it was in a separate city four hours away. Once a month, Jack and I would get together if the cost of the plane wasn’t so high. That first month, he came to visit me, and we had a terrific time getting to know one another and our new surroundings.
The next month, I came back, spent time with my family, and started getting ready for the nuptials. We choose a date! It was supposed to happen two months after my contract expired. That’s when I started getting too busy. I figured Jack did a good job at his work, too.
It was over a month before we reunited. I decided on the spur of the moment to surprise him. I caught a plane back and went straight back to the restaurant where it all began, without telling him. I wasn’t sure if I wanted to plan a special dinner, but the staff was kind and accommodating.
The problem is that I wasn’t ready to find Jack there in the first place. Even worse, I saw him pop the question to someone else at the very dinner table where he’d proposed to me. My jaw never left the floor, and for a split second, I thought I was living out old experiences.
Everyone around them clapped. I think the woman had brought her family. Jack got up, gave his new fiancée a ring, and then, obviously sensing something, he turned to face me. His lips parted, and I understood that there had been no misunderstanding.
I wanted to call him every name in the book, to scream and shout. But nothing materialized, so he talked to the other woman and came rushing up to me, determined.
I growled, “Let me go,” but he pulled me outside when he grabbed my arm.
“Jessica, listen to me!”
“I WON’T LISTEN TO ANYTHING, YOU SCUMBAG!”
“Don’t scream!” he exclaimed, giving me a bull’s-eye glare. “This is for us!”
“What?” I cried out in rage.
“My only motivation for getting married is Monica. Jack said, “You and I will be able to retire early, and I’ll divorce her as soon as I can.”
Was the purpose of his explanation to persuade me? How on earth was he supposed to know? I remained silent the entire time. He babbled endlessly about how he’d met Monica years ago and why this was a wise decision. Be advised that it wasn’t!
Moreover, my feelings for him vanished the instant I saw him reach out to help someone else. I started to think as he went on. If I left now, he would be happy to con this woman into marriage for her money.
That didn’t have to happen because of me. A smile appeared on both Jack’s and my faces.
“I see you get it now,” he said. So you agree to keep this a secret? Even so, our wedding date would have to be adjusted.
“Okay,” I answered, nodding.
I complied with his instruction to go. But while he wasn’t looking, I managed to get away and hide in the restaurant’s lavatory. I knew Monica would have to come in.
I inhaled deeply and told her everything as soon as she entered. I showed her my engagement ring, which matched hers exactly, as well as the texts and pictures of Jack and me. That was the most damning evidence of all. Her lips dropped precisely as mine did.
I gave her the rundown on my strategy and Jack’s motivation. Monica was a priceless find. I liked seeing Jack’s face go white as we walked back towards the eating area.
It was almost as though Monica and I had planned it when we had removed our rings and flung them in his face. The chamber grew quiet, but our tale quickly filled it. We revealed Jack’s scheme and everything he had done to us to everyone.
After our session, Monica gave me a hug and headed out to visit her family. As I walked out of the restaurant, the entire staff was staring at me, looking both astonished and amazed. Telling my family wasn’t fun, and dealing with the fallout wasn’t easy.
Nevertheless, I had to look for the bright side: I hadn’t married that bastard.
Ever taken vengeance on someone who had betrayed you?