The Secret Author

The day before the wedding, I stumbled upon my fiancée's secret, one she'd buried for years.

She was a mega-popular online author of tearjerker romance novels, turning her tragic first love into a bestseller that had readers across the web sobbing over their star-crossed affair.

It hit me then – she didn't love me.

The man she truly loved was my best friend, who had passed away.

On what was supposed to be our wedding day, I left town, no longer willing to be a doormat.

She, however, flew across the country to find me, sobbing and asking if we could try again.

...

Tomorrow's the big day, my wedding to Sarah.

She’s been my childhood sweetheart, my “one who got away," for over a decade.

Back in high school, when there was a fire at our school, Sarah pulled me out. I swore then that I’d marry her someday, and she said she felt the same way about me.

Last night, the guys took me out, got me about three sheets to the wind, and kept congratulating me.

"Man, you’re doing it, huh? You’re getting hitched."

“Yeah, some of us are still swiping right and coming up empty, but you and Sarah? You guys are a lock after ten years, it’s like it was meant to be…”

“If old Tom were still around, he’d be so happy for you too… Never mind, forget I said anything. Don’t want to bring up sad stuff the day before your wedding.”

I just managed a weak smile, but inside, I felt like a fraud.

To everyone else, Sarah and I were perfect.

But love, like they say, is a private affair.

Over the past ten years, there’s never been any intimacy between Sarah and me beyond hugging.

She always said she wanted to take things slow.

But I gave her all the time in the world, and she still couldn’t let her guard down with me.

Just last night, I heard Sarah sobbing next to me. She was crying in her sleep.

Sarah’s normally the most upbeat person. I couldn’t imagine what could bring her to tears on the eve of our wedding.

I started to reach out to her, but then I heard her whisper something that sounded like a forbidden name.

My blood ran cold, and I almost didn’t believe what I’d heard.

After that, neither of us slept. She went to the balcony to cry it out, while I tossed and turned in bed.

We were on two different planets, a universe apart.

Today, Sarah left early, saying she had some things to take care of.

By evening, I tried calling her, but she didn't pick up.

The dial tone felt like a long, loud alarm.

I started to feel lost, questioning the entire relationship.

But I didn't let it show in front of my friends.

I went from being an optimistic young guy to a cynical adult with too many scars.

Some things, I just keep to myself.

When the guys dropped me off, I rolled down the window to clear my head.

The city felt huge and empty, and I felt like I didn’t belong anywhere.

My friends offered to call Sarah, but I knew she wouldn't come.

She's avoided my friends for years.

I wasn't surprised to find the house cold and empty, her shoes missing from the entrywa...