I had been keeping a secret from my fiancé, James, for so long. I hoped that somehow I could manage everything without hurting him, but deep down, I knew that I couldn’t keep it a secret forever.
When we were in the air, and the turbulence hit—shaking the plane like never before—I realized I couldn’t stay silent anymore. Facing life or death, I had no choice but to tell him the truth.
It all started a few weeks before when I was sitting at Stacy’s cozy kitchen table, the smell of freshly brewed coffee filling the air. I stretched my hand out, showing her the beautiful engagement ring James had given me.
It sparkled under the soft kitchen lights, and while it felt strange on my finger, it also made my heart flutter. We’d been together for four years, and though I wasn’t in a rush to get married, seeing the ring made me think about the future.
“Olive, this is amazing! I’m so happy for you!” Stacy said, her eyes wide with excitement as she looked at the ring.
“Thanks, Stacy. I’m happy too,” I said, smiling. It was hard to hide my nerves.
“So, when’s the big day?” she asked, leaning in with anticipation.
“Well… we haven’t really talked about it yet,” I replied, trying to sound casual. “Maybe in two years or so.”
“Two years? Really?” Stacy blinked in surprise.
“Yeah, James is busy with work right now, and I’m applying for an art program in Europe. I’d like to go, and it’s an eight-month course, so I’ll be gone for a while,” I explained. My heart pounded as I said it out loud.
“Did you tell James about the program?” Stacy’s tone turned serious.
I hesitated, the knot in my stomach tightening. “No, I haven’t told him. I don’t know how he’ll take it. What if he asks me not to go?”
Stacy frowned. “Olive, you have to tell him. He’s your fiancé. He deserves to know.”
“I know,” I said, feeling the weight of it all. Just then, my phone rang. It was James. “Speak of the devil,” I muttered, trying to hide my anxiety as I stepped out of the kitchen to take the call.
“Hello?” I answered, hoping for a distraction.
“Olive, you won’t believe this! I have incredible news!” James sounded thrilled, his excitement almost jumping through the phone.
“I’m listening,” I said, trying to keep my tone steady.
“Do you remember that place where you always dreamed of having our wedding?” he asked.
I blinked, surprised. “Yes, but it’s not possible anymore. They’re tearing it down at the end of the summer, and they stopped holding events there.”
“Well,” James continued, his voice filled with pride, “I’ve been talking with the owners for the last two weeks. We exchanged emails and phone calls, and guess what? They’ve agreed to let us have our wedding there!”
I was stunned. “But… that’s so soon! Three months?”
“Actually, it’s in two weeks. That’s the only date they offered. But does it really matter when we get married, as long as we do?”
My mind was racing. I couldn’t speak. “I… I don’t know what to say.”
“Olive, I’m so happy I could make this happen for you. I just want you to be happy,” James said, his voice full of love.
“I’m happy,” I replied weakly, trying to match his enthusiasm.
“Great. I love you, Olive.”
“I love you too,” I said softly before hanging up. Tears filled my eyes as I stood there, overwhelmed. I walked back into the kitchen, and Stacy noticed my damp eyes right away.
“James arranged for our wedding to be at the place I’ve always dreamed of,” I said, trying to keep my voice steady.
Stacy’s face lit up in surprise. “I thought they weren’t holding weddings there anymore.”
“He made a deal with the owners,” I explained, the weight of the situation sinking in. “But the wedding is in two weeks.”
Stacy’s expression shifted, realizing the problem. “But you’re supposed to leave for the art program in two weeks…”
“I know,” I whispered, feeling my heart sink.
“Did you tell him to cancel everything?” Stacy asked, concern in her voice.
“No,” I said, shaking my head. “I can’t. He worked so hard for this, and he’s so happy.”
“Olive, you have to tell him. This is your dream! You can’t let go of it just for a wedding.”
I broke down, tears streaming down my face. Stacy hugged me tightly, holding me as I cried. “Oh, Olive. I’m so sorry,” she whispered, gently rocking me back and forth.
The days passed quickly, and soon we were walking down the long corridor to board the plane that would take us to our wedding destination. My heart pounded, and I felt the weight of the decision I had made. Was I making the right choice? I kept asking myself over and over.
James glanced at me, his brow furrowed in concern. “Are you okay?” he asked, his voice gentle.
I forced a smile, nodding, but the smile felt hollow. I had been pretending for days now, but I couldn’t ignore the doubt in my mind. James was so excited, but all I could think about was the art program I had given up. My dream, slipping away.
As the plane took off, James began talking non-stop about the wedding. The flowers, the music, the vows—how perfect everything would be. His excitement was palpable, but I couldn’t focus on any of it. My mind kept racing back to what I had lost.
The plane hit turbulence, hard. I felt my stomach drop as the plane shook violently. The flight attendant’s cart crashed down the aisle, and the overhead bins rattled. I gripped James’s hand tightly, my heart pounding. The plane dipped suddenly, and panic set in.
“I don’t want the wedding!” I shouted, the words bursting out before I could stop them.
James froze, his eyes wide with confusion. “What did you say?”
I hesitated, panicked. “Nothing… I was just scared.”
“Olive,” he said softly, “you don’t want the wedding?”
Tears filled my eyes. “It’s not that simple, James.”
He stood up, his face tight with hurt, and went straight to the bathroom, locking the door behind him. My heart shattered as I realized how badly this was all going.
I followed him, my heart racing. “James?” I called softly.
There was silence, then his voice came through the door, muffled but clear. “When, Olive? When do you want to get married?”
I hesitated, then said, “Later. In about two years.”
“Two years?” His voice was full of disbelief. “What’s the difference, Olive? If we love each other, when we get married shouldn’t matter.”
“I got accepted into an art program. In Europe. It’s for eight months,” I said quietly.
There was a pause, then he asked, “When are you supposed to leave?”
“Today,” I admitted. “But I canceled everything. I couldn’t refuse you after everything you did for this wedding.”
“And now you think you made a mistake,” he said softly.
“Yes,” I whispered.
“Why didn’t you say anything sooner?”
“I was afraid,” I confessed. “I didn’t know what you’d say.”
“I love you, Olive,” he said quietly, “but I don’t want you to give up your dream for me.”
I stayed silent, overwhelmed by his words. “Just… leave me alone. I need to think,” he said, his voice firm.
“Okay,” I whispered, returning to my seat. The distance between us felt unbearable.
A little later, the pilot’s voice came over the intercom. “Olive, your fiancé James asked me to deliver a message. He said he loves you very much and wants you to know that when we land, he will put you on the first flight to Europe. He’s ready to support you, no matter what.”
I was stunned. As I turned around, James was walking back to his seat. He looked calm, but there was a seriousness in his eyes.
“James?” I asked, still trying to process everything.
“Olive,” he began, looking directly at me, “I want you to be happy. I don’t want our marriage to feel like something you have to do. So, we’re canceling everything. You’re going to that art program, and I’ll join you later when I can.”
I blinked in shock. “But your job?”
“I’ll try to work remotely,” he said, his voice steady. “I don’t want you to give up your dreams for me.”
“Would you really do that for me?” I asked, tears welling up in my eyes.
“Yes,” he said simply.
I couldn’t help it. I threw myself into his arms, holding him tightly. “I love you, James.”
“I love you too, Olive,” he whispered back, and for the first time in weeks, I felt at peace.
Would you make the same choice in my shoes? Let me know what you think in the comments below!
