I always knew my marriage to Daniel would raise eyebrows. He was my father’s closest friend, nearly 20 years my senior, and had been a constant presence in my life since childhood. But I never saw him as just my dad’s friend—he was kind, intelligent, and always treated me with respect. When we fell in love, I ignored the whispers and judgment, believing our love was strong enough to withstand anything.
Our wedding day was beautiful, a small but elegant ceremony attended by close family and friends. My father, though initially hesitant about our relationship, eventually gave his blessing, trusting Daniel to take care of me. I thought I had everything I wanted—a man who adored me, stability, and a future full of love.
But everything changed on our wedding night.
After the celebration, we arrived at our hotel suite. I expected romance, passion, or at the very least, tenderness. Instead, Daniel’s demeanor shifted the moment the door closed behind us. He sat on the edge of the bed, pulling off his tie with a heavy sigh, avoiding my gaze.
Then, he did something that stunned me.
He pulled out a journal from his bag, flipped to a page, and started writing. His expression was serious, focused, as if I weren’t even there.
“Daniel?” I called softly, unsure what was happening.
“Give me a minute,” he mumbled without looking up.
Confused, I sat beside him, glancing over at the journal. I caught a glimpse of neat, meticulous handwriting, and my breath hitched as I read the words.
“I did it. I married her. But was this the right thing to do?”
My heart pounded. What did he mean? I felt a chill despite the warmth of the room.
“What… what is this?” I asked, my voice trembling.
Daniel sighed and closed the journal. He looked at me, his expression unreadable. “It’s my thoughts. I’ve kept a journal for years. It helps me process things.”
“But what do you mean, ‘Was this the right thing to do?’” I demanded, fear creeping into my voice.
He hesitated, then exhaled deeply. “I love you, but I’m scared. I don’t know if I made this choice for the right reasons. I’ve known you since you were a child, and part of me wonders if I let my guilt—my loyalty to your father—push me into something I wasn’t ready for.”
His words struck me like a slap.
“You think you married me out of obligation?” My voice cracked. “Not love?”
“I don’t know,” he admitted. “I need time to figure it out.”
I felt my world shatter. Our wedding night was supposed to be the beginning of a beautiful life together. Instead, I lay awake that night, my wedding dress still pooled on the floor, wondering if I had just made the biggest mistake of my life.
