Heres the truth about your fiancée, his father said tersely, handing him a flash drive.
Edward kept glancing at his watch. He had booked a table at *The White Orchid*, the most exclusive restaurant in Manchester. Alice was already ten minutes late, and punctuality mattered deeply to himit was one of the qualities he prized most in people.
With a sigh, he flipped through the menu again, though he already knew what he would order. Fatigue and the lingering tension from his earlier conversation with his father clouded his thoughts. Just as he reached for his phone, the restaurant door swung open.
Darling! Forgive me! Alice rushed to the table like a whirlwind in a pale blue dress that hugged her slender frame. She leaned in and kissed him lightly, her scent a mix of spring blossoms and something achingly familiar, melting away his frustration.
You know how I loathe waiting, he tried to sound stern, but a smile tugged at his lips. It was impossible to stay cross with her.
But I, she teased, mischief in her blue eyes, adore knowing a handsome man is waiting for me. Would you believe I got stuck at the lights? Then some old dear took an age to cross the roadI nearly lost my mind!
Edward chuckled. I know you. More likely, you spent half an hour perfecting your makeup.
Rubbish! she protested. Only twenty-five minutes!
He couldnt look away. Her chestnut hair tumbled in soft waves over her shoulders, her smile lighting up her face, dimples making her all the more enchanting.
Two years since theyd met. A year and a half together. One year engaged. And now
To us? He raised his champagne flute.
To us, she echoed. But something flickered in her gaze, unsettling him.
They ordered and chatted easily about their day. Alice, as always, animatedly recounted her workdays at the clinic, the antics of a young patient, the praise from the senior physician who called her his golden nurse.
And what about you? Hows the project with your father coming along? she asked, spearing a bite of salmon.
Well enough, Edward shrugged. On schedule, though deadlines are tight as ever.
She nodded, then casually asked, Speaking of time When *are* we setting a wedding date?
He stiffened. Not this again.
Alice, weve talked. Once the project
Yes, yes, I remember, she waved impatiently. But its been six months! Edward, I dont want to wait anymore. Weve been engaged a year. Whats holding you back?
Im not. Its just not the right time.
And when *will* it be? When Im fifty? I want to be your *wife*, not your fiancée, not your girlfriendyour *wife*!
Alice, I barely have time to breathe
Oh, come off it! As if youd have to do more than show up on the day!
Its not about that, he snapped. I want everything perfect.
So do I! she cried. And you know what would be perfect? A wedding on an island! Weve talked about itIve even looked at brochures. The Maldives, Bali, the Seychellestake your pick! They handle everything; we just turn up.
This again! Do you need the spectacle, or just the envy of all our friends?
Alice shoved her plate away. Is that what you think? That Im with you for money? That all I want is a lavish wedding?
Isnt it? The words slipped out before he could stop them. All you talk about is the wedding, the trips, the places you want to see. Never that you simply want to be with *me*.
Youre insufferable! Tears welled in her eyes. I just want to marry you! And you invent these absurd excuses! If you dont want to, just *say* it!
Im not inventing anything! His voice rose, drawing glances from nearby diners. Why do you keep pushing me?
Because I *love* you, you fool! But you dont see it. Or maybe you just dont *want* to.
He stood abruptly, tossing a handful of banknotes onto the table. Enough. I wont discuss this here. Call me when youve calmed down.
He strode out, ignoring the waiters bewildered stare and Alices muffled sobs behind him.
***
Edward sped through the city streets, the engine of his sleek Jaguar roaring as he cranked up the radio, trying to drown his thoughts.
Why had things grown so strained with Alice? When theyd first met, everything had been different.
It had been at his fathers clinic. Charles Whitmoreone of the countrys leading cardiologists and owner of a private medical empirehad never separated business and family.
The legacy stays with us, he often said.
Edward, the only son and heir, had grown up under the weight of expectation. At school, university, workeverywhere, he was treated differently.
By twenty-five, hed grown weary of women who saw only his fortune. Models, businesswomen, socialitesall wore the same masks, their smiles never reaching their eyes.
Then he met Alice.
Shed been at the reception desk that day, filling out forms. A simple nurses uniform, her hair in a neat ponytail, nothing pretentious. When she looked up and smiled, something inside him shifted. There was no calculation in her gazeonly warmth, an unmistakable light.
He found reasons to talk to her, then asked her for coffee, then dinner
Alice was unlike anyone hed known. Raised in an ordinary family, working since sixteen, putting herself through school. He loved her for ither unguarded honesty, her quick wit, the way she never pretended to be anything she wasnt.
His mother, Margaret, adored her instantly.
Shes *real*, darling. Hold onto her, shed said after their first meeting, calling Alice my girl ever since.
But his father Charles had never spoken against her. In fact, he praised her professionalism. Yet whenever Edward spoke of their future, something unreadable flickered in his fathers eyes.
Shes a fine girl, Edward but not for you.
The words had festered. Had his father seen something he hadnt? Was Alice, too, just better at hiding her motives?
Especially now, when she pressed for the wedding, describing the grand ceremony she wanted, Edward couldnt help but remember the otherstheir demands for extravagance, for status.
Damn it! He slammed the wheel as the car jolted to a stop at a red light.
He loved her, without question. But tonight, shed struck a nerve. For the first time, he considered walking away. No matter how his heart ached for her, he wouldnt be usednot even by her.
***
He returned home near midnight, finding his father in the study, a tumbler of whisky in hand.
Youre up late, Edward muttered, collapsing into a chair.
Charles studied him. Waiting for you. Your mother called Alicewanted to invite you both for Sunday. She was in tears. What happened?
Nothing. Just a row.
About?
Not now, Dad. Edward rubbed his temples. Im exhausted.
His father said nothing, only poured another whisky and pushed it toward him.
Edward drank gratefully, the burn dulling the tension.
When I met your mother, Charles said suddenly, my parents disapproved.
Really? You never mentioned it.
People dont like recalling their mistakes. His father smirked. They thought her too plain for a Whitmore. A nurse from Leeds, no less.
What did you do?
Ignored them. Best decision of my life.
Silence stretched between them. Edward knew this wasnt idle reminiscing.
You argued about the wedding? Charles asked bluntly.
Edward exhaled. She keeps pushing. When will we set a date? Why am I delaying? And this obsession with a destination weddingas if she just wants the spectacle.
Are you certain of that?
No, Edward admitted. But sometimes I wonder Youve always acted strangely when I mention marrying her. Like youre keeping something from me.
Charles held his gaze, then stood abruptly. Wait here.
He returned moments later, handing Edward a small flash drive.
The truth about your fiancée.
Edward stared at it. What is this? Have you been watching her?
No. His father sat heavily. Just look. And forgive me for not telling you sooner.
With a racing heart, Edward plugged the drive into his laptop. Medical files filled the screendiagnosis, charts, specialist reports.
What? His voice cracked as he scanned the documents.
*Congenital heart defect. Severe. Progressive deterioration. Surgery required.*
This this is Alice?
