Emily stands in the doorway of the grooms suite, gorgeous in her wedding dress but with a strange, determined expression.
Kevin lifts his head in surprise. He has just finished tightening his bow tie and is about to step out. There are only thirty minutes left before the ceremony.
Emily, what are you doing? A bride isnt supposed to see the groom before the wedding, he jokes, flashing a smile. Bad luck, they say.
What luck now? she steps forward, shutting the door firmly behind her. The eyes that have always looked at him with love now seem cold and foreign. I need to tell you something.
Kevin feels a knot form inside. He has known Emily for four years and can read every nuance of her tone and glance. He has never seen her like this before.
Whats happening? he asks, even though his gut already screams that nothing good will follow.
Emily draws a deep breath, as if ready to plunge into icy water.
Ive changed my mind about marrying you, she says in an even voice. My ex has proposed again. He offers a better future.
Kevin stares at her, bewildered, unable to believe his ears. Outside the hotel where they booked the rooms for the wedding prep, the June sun shines brightly over London. Downstairs, guests mingle, the bridesmaids laugh, music plays. In this small room, his world collapses.
Youre kidding? he finally manages.
No, Emily whispers, lowering her eyes. I know this is terrible timing, but its better now than to suffer later.
Suffer? Kevin feels anger rise. You were going to suffer with me? All these four years were what? Waiting for something better?
Emily winces as if a tooth aches.
Dont simplify it. It was good with you, truly. But Oliver he has always been special to me. You knew that from the start.
Kevin remembers the night they met at a mutual friends birthday. Emily had just broken up with Oliver Whitaker a successful restaurateur who owned a chain of eateries. Their twoyear romance ended abruptly when Oliver flew to New York to expand his business, leaving Emily heartbroken.
Kevin spent months gathering the pieces of her heart, patiently, without pressure. He was simply there reliable, understanding, caring. Eventually Emily seemed to return his feelings, at least thats how he thought.
Did he come back? Kevin asks, trying to collect his thoughts. When?
A month ago, Emily replies quietly. He called while you were on a business trip to Manchester.
And you decided just like that? In a month?
It wasnt simple, she says, her eyes now full of resolve. I fought with myself, but when he proposed Kevin, you have to understand. Hes launching a restaurant group in Europe. Ill have my own cosmetic line. Its a completely different life.
Kevin watches silently the woman he this morning called the love of his life beautiful, smart, ambitious Emily. She runs a beauty salon, dreams of her own business. He has always supported her, while he himself works as a modest engineer earning a decent, though not spectacular, salary.
What about our plans? he asks. The house we talked about? Children?
My plans are different now, Emily steps back toward the door. I must go. Oliver is waiting downstairs.
Here? Kevin cant hear himself. Hes showing up on our wedding day?
I asked him to come, Emily grips the handle. I didnt want to be alone after a conversation like this.
What about the guests? My mother drove in from Leeds to see this?
Ill explain to everyone, Emily interrupts. Ill say its my fault, that its a sudden decision.
It is sudden! Kevin raises his voice. Yesterday you said you loved me! This morning you kissed me and promised happiness!
I was wrong, Emily lowers her gaze. Im sorry it turned out like this.
She closes the door softly behind her.
Kevin stands in the middle of the room, stunned, crushed, unable to grasp whats happening. The clock on the wall reads fifteen minutes to the ceremony. Downstairs guests are waiting, music is playing, everything is set for a celebration that will never happen.
He sits on the bed, loosens his bow tie. Thoughts spin: why? How could she? What now? How do I face everyone?
The door opens again, this time without a knock. Ian, his best man and closest friend, steps in.
Kevin, whats going on? Ian looks bewildered. Emily just walked through the lobby in her dress, crying, with some man. They got into a black BMW and left. What the?
Shes not marrying me, Kevin says flatly. Her ex is back, and hes more promising, you see.
Ian opens his mouth, closes it, then opens it again.
Bloody hell on the wedding day? Seriously?
More than seriously, Kevin stands, pacing. We have to tell the guests. Cancel everything.
Ill help, Ian places a hand on Kevins shoulder. How are you holding up?
I dont know, Kevin admits. It feels like a nightmare.
Going to the guests and announcing the wedding is cancelled becomes the hardest thing he has ever done. He endures sympathetic looks, whispered gossip, endless questions. Emilys parents look as shocked as he does clearly she never told them her plans. His own mother, who drove up from Birmingham, weeps and repeats, How could this happen, love?
When the evening crowd finally disperses and the paid banquet remains untouched, Kevin sits alone in the suite, staring at the wall. His phone buzzes nonstop with calls and messages from friends, colleagues, relatives He doesnt answer anyone.
Here, Ian, who stayed with him, hands him a glass of whisky. Drink. Itll ease it a bit.
Kevin takes the glass, sips. The alcohol burns his throat but brings no relief.
Do you know whats the worst part? he says after a long silence. I always felt she wasnt fully mine. That somewhere deep down she still held Olivers image. I hoped time would wash it away.
That happens, Ian replies, sitting opposite him. First loves, all that. But to bail on your wedding day thats beyond the pale.
She always loved grand gestures, Kevin says bitterly, a grim smile forming. Remember how we met?
At Sophies birthday, Ian nods. She was in a black dress, looking mournful over a past relationship.
And I walked over and said
Maybe black isnt really your colour? Ian finishes. You gave her that stupid potted daisy.
And she finally smiled that evening, Kevin closes his eyes, recalling. She said then she felt life could go on.
And now she leaves you for the same guy she mourned? Ian shakes his head. Lifes a cruel joker.
The night passes without sleep. Kevin lies awake, replaying the last four years happy moments, fights, reconciliations, future plans. Was it all a lie? Or did she truly love him until Oliver appeared?
In the morning he returns to the flat they shared to pack his things. He opens the door with his key and feels emptiness. Emily has already taken her favorite figurines, framed photos, bathroom cosmetics.
On the kitchen table lies an envelope. Inside is a note and the apartment key.
Kevin, Im sorry for everything. Youre a good man and deserve happiness. I have to follow my own path. Ill collect my things later. M.
Brief, dry, no explanations, as if four years can be crossed out with a single slip of paper.
Kevin collapses onto the sofa they once chose together after endless arguments about colour. He had wanted a blue one; Emily insisted on a practical beige. A blue sofa feels like a bachelors choice, she had teased. Were a family, shed replied.
Family the word now burns his mind.
He gathers his belongings and moves in with Ian, who offers a spare room while everything settles. He takes a few days off work; his manager, sympathetic after hearing the story, grants him the leave. Kevin feels a strange numbness that friends and family cant shake off.
A week later his old friend Sophie the one whose birthday party introduced him to Emily calls.
Kevin, can we meet? I need to talk, she says, tension in her voice.
They meet in a small café near Ians flat. Sophie looks nervous yet determined.
You know Ive known Emily since university, she begins. I feel awkward getting involved, but you should know something.
About her and Oliver? Kevin smiles wryly. Thanks, but I dont need more details.
Its not that, Sophie continues. I overheard a conversation between Emily and Oliver before the wedding. They were talking about you.
What did they say? Kevin asks, unsure if he wants to hear.
Oliver asked why she ever agreed to marry you. She replied, Youre reliable, safe, predictable. With you life is calm, but boring.
Kevin feels something tighten inside. Boring. The word hits harder than any betrayal.
Sophie, keep going, he says.
Oliver then said, But hes just a simple engineer. Whats there to love? Emily answered, He loves me genuinely, cares for me. With him I feel like Im behind a stone wall. Oliver laughed and said, A stone wall is fine, but living behind it feels like being sealed in. She agreed.
Kevin sits, staring at his cooling coffee. Anger, hurt, shame swirl, but the strongest feeling is shame for being the predictable, safe guy.
Why tell me this? he asks.
Because it isnt true, Kevin, Sophie says, meeting his eyes. Youre not boring. Youre thoughtful, funny, deep. With Emily you just became a shadow, afraid to step out of line. You lost parts of yourself for her.
He remembers compromising his plans, skipping a mountain trip because Emily feared for him, dropping friends she didnt like, always fitting around her schedule.
Why didnt you say this earlier? he whispers.
Would you have listened? Sophie shrugs. You idolised her, saw her as a goddess.
Are you saying this out of pity? he asks.
No, she replies firmly. I want you to know its not you. Its her constant chase for something flashier. Oliver is a fireworks display bright, loud, impressive, but it burns out quickly.
After the conversation Kevin feels a shift. He gets back to work, finds a new flat, resumes his earlymorning runs a habit he gave up because Emily disliked him leaving at dawn.
The pain dulls over time. He still wakes sometimes in the night feeling a hollow, still catches himself thinking, I should tell Emily but life moves on.
Three months later he spots Emily in a shopping centre, standing in front of a jewellery window, looking at rings. Shes still as stunning, confident, radiant.
Hello, he says, walking toward her.
Emily startles, turns, a mix of surprise, embarrassment, something unreadable on her face.
Kevin hi, she forces a smile. How are you?
Better than three months ago, he replies honestly. Still looking at rings?
She flushes, looks away.
Yes, Oliver and I are getting married next month.
Congratulations, he says, genuinely. I hope it actually happens this time.
Kevin, she bites her lip. I know this hurts you. Im really sorry
No need, he raises a hand, stopping her. Everythings said. I just wanted to thank you. He swallows, choosing his words carefully. For leaving. If you hadnt, I would have kept living someone elses life, losing myself.
What? she looks genuinely puzzled.
For that, he says. Ive found myself again.
She frowns.
Its not necessary to understand, he smiles. Goodbye, Emily. Be happy.
He walks away, feeling an unexpected lightness, as if a heavy load finally lifts.
Later that day his phone rings. The caller ID shows Emilys number.
Hello? he answers, curiosity, not anger, in his voice.
Kevin, can we talk? her voice sounds unusually insecure.
We spoke today, he reminds her.
No, I mean seriously. I cant stop thinking about what you said about losing yourself.
Whats there to think about? he shrugs, though she cant see him. I meant exactly what I said.
Were you unhappy with me? she asks, a hint of hurt.
No, he answers honestly. I was happy, but that happiness cost me part of who I am. I moulded myself to your expectations, became smaller, quieter, more convenient.
Silence hangs. Then she asks, Did I lose myself with you?
I dont think so, he smiles. You always knew what you wanted and went after it.
Another pause. Kevin, maybe I was wrong. Maybe I shouldnt have
Stop, he cuts in. Dont say that. You made the choice you thought was right. I accepted it. Theres no turning back.
Why? she whispers, tears in her voice. If we both made a mistake
Because I no longer want to be the backup plan, he says firmly. I dont want to be a stone wall you stand behind while you look for something brighter, more prosperous.
Youve changed, she admits after a beat.
Yes, and thats probably the only good outcome of our story. Thanks for calling, Emily, but please dont call again.
He hangs up, takes a deep breath. A strange mix of sorrow and relief fills him. One chapter ends, another begins, and he will decide how it reads.
Six months later, on a snowy December afternoon, Kevin stands on the viewing platform of a ski resort he finally affirms his childhood dream of learning to ski. The sun glints off the powdery slope, and he feels pure happiness.
Beautiful, isnt it? a womans voice says nearby.
He turns and sees a girl in a bright blue ski jacket, her brown eyes sparkling with golden flecks.
Indeed, Kevin replies with a smile. First time here?
Third, she removes a glove, extends her hand. Anna.
Kevin, he shakes it. So youre already a pro?
More like a stubborn hobbyist, she laughs. I fall a lot but always get back up. You?
Novice. Finally ticking off an old dream, he says, watching skiers glide down. You know, we keep putting things off, thinking maybe someday. Then you realise, if not now, maybe never.
Philosopher, Anna says, tilting her head. I like people who think about life.
And I like people who can fall and rise again, he answers. Want to tackle this slope together? I promise a graceful tumble.
Deal, Anna giggles, her laughter echoing through the mountains. First one to the café at the bottom buys mulled wine!
She darts down, and he follows, feeling his heart fill with pure, unblemished joy. For the first time in ages he is completely, utterly himself. And that feeling is worth every loss and heartache he endured.
Sometimes you have to lose something precious to discover something priceless yourself.
