Leave the Wrong Man, Marry the Right Love

After eight years with Harrison Shaw, I thought we were solid. But then he got bored and turned to a younger, more exciting college girl. The day he walked up to me with her, I stayed calm, almost too calm, slipped off my engagement ring, and placed it on her finger. "It looks great on you. Here's to your happiness together," I said, not a hint of emotion in my voice.

The day I registered my marriage, Harrison blew up my phone. "Nina Nash, who the hell would want to marry you? You think this'll make me beg? Dream on."

But to his surprise, a man's light laughter came through the phone.

"Harrison, my wife's asleep. Let me wake her up with a kiss and see if she answers your call."

Eight years of being with Harrison had led to awkward questions from my family about when we were getting married. As I was about to knock on his door with a fruit platter, I overheard him talking to a friend.

"I wish I hadn't gotten engaged to Nina so soon."

His friend laughed. "You promised everyone you'd marry her. It hasn't even been that long!"

"What? You regret it?"

"No, I just want more fun. Nina's perfect for marriage, loyal, reliable, but she's just so damn boring."

His friend smirked. "Good girls are like that. Come out tonight, let's have some fun."

I thought Harrison might agree, but instead, he surprised me.

"Don't talk like that. Nina will get upset."

"You trying to get me a lecture from her?"

A sharp sadness washed over me as I turned back to my room. The Shaw and Nash families had been close for generations, and Harrison and I were childhood friends. At first, I didn't like him, he was too rebellious. But then he showed up with 999 roses, on one knee, and I couldn't help but feel moved. He'd do anything to make me smile, climb a rock face to win a stupid prize or stand outside in the rain begging for forgiveness when he messed up. He had this obsessive way about him.

Lost in thought, Harrison appeared out of nowhere.

"Nina, I have a business trip tomorrow. Be good, okay? Don't miss me too much." His eyes were as clear as glass, filled with genuine affection.

I grabbed his sleeve, biting my lip.

"Harrison, my parents want to know when we're getting married. They said next year's a good time."

It wasn't just a question from them, I needed an answer. Harrison frowned, his tone freezing.