Emma believed she had everything under control, but when her ex, who had stepped in at the last minute to save her wedding, suddenly vanished—leaving behind only a letter—her perfectly planned day started to unravel. What secrets did Ryan’s letter hold, and why did Matt seem to already know the answer?
As Emma paced the living room, her phone pressed tightly to her ear, frustration coursed through her. Her footsteps left an invisible trail on the carpet, but Matt remained unbothered, lounging on the couch and scrolling through sports updates.
“She quit, Matt! Two weeks before the wedding! Who does that?” Emma’s voice was sharp with disbelief.
Matt barely looked up. “Just get another planner,” he suggested nonchalantly.
Emma threw her hands up. “Oh, brilliant! Why didn’t I think of that?” she snapped. “You do realize good wedding planners are booked months—years—in advance?”
After a pause, she hesitated. “There is someone… but you won’t like it.”
Matt finally gave her his full attention. “Who?”
Avoiding his gaze, Emma muttered, “Ryan.”
Matt stiffened. “Ryan? Your ex?”
She sighed. “Yes. But he’s one of the best in the business, and he’s the only one who can pull this off on such short notice.”
Matt exhaled heavily. “Fine. But if he brings up prom night, I’m out.”
When Emma arrived at Ryan’s sleek downtown office, she felt an unexpected nervousness. The space was exactly as she’d imagined—modern, immaculate, and bathed in natural light.
Ryan turned at the sound of her voice, his expression shifting from curiosity to surprise. “Emma? Wow. It’s been, what, five years?”
“Six,” she corrected.
As she explained her predicament, Ryan listened patiently, amusement flickering in his eyes. When she finished, he simply said, “Alright. I’ll do it.”
Emma blinked. “Just like that?”
Ryan smirked. “Sure. On one condition—dinner, after the wedding.”
The days leading up to the wedding were filled with chaos, but Ryan remained Emma’s rock. When a last-minute catering disaster swapped their elegant menu for vegan lasagna, Ryan made light of the situation, making her laugh despite the stress.
“You always know how to make me smile,” she admitted, gratitude shining in her eyes.
His playful expression softened. “Emma, you’ve always been incredible.”
A charged silence filled the air. Ryan took a step closer, but before anything could happen, Emma pulled back.
“No,” she whispered. “I can’t do this. I love Matt. It wouldn’t be right.”
Ryan immediately stepped away, regret in his eyes. “You’re right. I’m sorry.”
Unbeknownst to them, Matt had witnessed the moment from outside. His jaw clenched, his eyes dark with suspicion.
On the morning of the wedding, Emma felt an unshakable sense of unease. Something was wrong.
“Where’s Ryan?” she asked.
A bridesmaid shrugged. “Haven’t seen him.”
Then, she noticed an envelope on the table. Her name was scrawled in familiar handwriting.
Heart pounding, she unfolded the letter.
Emma,
I can’t be there today. Watching you marry someone else is more than I can bear. I’ve loved you from the moment we met, and I always will. Your fiancé isn’t right for you, but you deserve someone who truly makes you happy. Be happy.
—Ryan
Tears blurred the ink.
Matt stormed into the room. “Where is he?”
Emma turned to him, her voice calm. “He’s gone.”
Matt’s expression darkened. “Gone? Or hiding after what I saw?”
Emma’s eyes narrowed. “What are you talking about?”
“I saw you two,” Matt spat. “You wanted it to happen.”
Emma inhaled deeply, the weight of the moment pressing on her.
“I can’t marry someone who doesn’t trust me,” she finally said.
Gasps echoed as she walked down the aisle—not toward the altar, but toward the exit.
Later, standing outside Ryan’s apartment, Emma knocked, her heart pounding.
When he opened the door, his shock was evident. “Emma?”
“I called off the wedding,” she blurted.
Ryan hesitated. “Why?”
Emma met his gaze. “Because I deserve to be with someone who truly sees me. And because I love you too.”
A slow smile spread across Ryan’s face. “You mean that?”
Emma nodded, tears shimmering. “I’ve never been more sure of anything.”
Without hesitation, Ryan pulled her into his arms, and as he kissed her, Emma finally felt free—choosing the love that had been waiting for her all along.
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