**A Woman’s Cunning**
To this day, Daniel remains a single man. He had every intention of marrying seriously, but he could never quite grasp the logic behind his fiancée’s actions.
When he proposed to Emily, they had been together for nearly a year. The initial passion had settled, and Daniel finally felt certain—she was the one he wanted by his side, the one whose voice and presence he couldn’t do without.
“Emily, marry me,” he said firmly, dropping to one knee with a velvet box in hand, the ring inside gleaming, while his other arm cradled an enormous bouquet.
Emily wasn’t entirely surprised—she’d sensed it coming—but she still gasped, delighted.
“Of course, darling, of course!” she agreed without hesitation.
Emily was a beautiful woman, and Daniel was no slouch either—tall, athletic, with a buzz cut and a wardrobe that never strayed far from sportswear.
“I want a daughter who looks just like you,” he grinned.
“Whenever you like,” Emily laughed.
Wedding preparations began. Daniel had no idea how much work it all entailed.
“Emily, this is just wedding madness,” he groaned as she dragged him from shop to shop. “I never imagined so much fuss!”
Turns out, a wedding isn’t complete without veils, shoes, dresses, ribbons, stockings—the lot. He’d assumed it was simple: propose, hand over the ring, sign the papers, done.
Finally, Emily settled down. With the wedding still weeks away, Daniel breathed a sigh of relief—until she came home from work one evening and dropped a bombshell.
“Dan, my boss is sending me away for training—a week in Birmingham. A bit of time apart might do us good, test our feelings before the big day.”
“Brilliant timing,” Daniel muttered. “Does he not know we’re getting married?”
“He does. But it’s not like I’m leaving on the wedding day! Besides, this means a promotion—more money. We could use that, couldn’t we?”
“And while I’m gone,” she added after a pause, “Lucy will keep an eye on you.”
Daniel stiffened. “Oh, perfect. Just what I need—your Lucy everywhere. Don’t you trust me?”
“Trust isn’t the point. Leaving you unsupervised would be reckless. So Lucy’s on watch.”
Lucy—Emily’s best friend since school, bridesmaid-to-be. Daniel couldn’t stand her. Not that she wasn’t attractive—blonde, sharp figure—but she was always around. Emily brought her to dinners, even let her stay over.
Daniel once joked, half-serious, “Hope Lucy won’t be joining us on our wedding night?”
At the airport, Lucy tagged along. They said their goodbyes, Emily vanished through security, and Daniel drove Lucy home. He dropped her off without ceremony.
Three days passed. Bored, Daniel rang his mates, who invited him fishing. He jumped at the chance—beer, banter, a proper lads’ day out.
“Who knows when I’ll get another chance?” he thought, dozing off contentedly.
Then, on Thursday evening, Lucy called.
“Dan, everything alright?”
“Never better,” he replied.
“Need anything? I could—”
“No, I’m fine. Grown man, remember?”
“Alright, don’t snap. But I’ve got a favour to ask.”
He tensed. “What?”
“Our mutual friend—me and Em’s old schoolmate—Sophie’s throwing a birthday do at a pub out of town. My car’s in the shop. Fancy giving me a lift? Em said it’s fine if you come along.”
Daniel groaned inwardly. He’d rather be fishing.
“Come on, Dan, please?” Lucy wheedled. “Everyone’s coupled up—I’ll look pathetic alone.”
“Get a boyfriend then,” he muttered.
“I’ll think about it later. Say yes?”
Reluctantly, he agreed.
That Friday, Lucy climbed into his car—dressed to kill, smelling of expensive perfume. Against his will, he softened.
“Fine. An evening with her isn’t the worst punishment.”
At the pub, Lucy clung to his arm. He knew no one; she knew everyone.
Champagne flowed.
“Drink up,” Lucy urged.
“I’m driving,” he protested.
“One glass won’t hurt.”
Under the guests’ amused stares, he downed it. Then another. Then more.
By closing time, he was smashed.
“You’re wasted,” Lucy giggled. “Good job I booked us a room.”
He barely remembered stumbling inside.
Morning came. His head throbbed. The shower ran.
Then Lucy stepped out—dripping wet, naked.
What happened next was a blur.
They drove home in silence. Finally, Daniel spoke.
“What do we tell Emily?”
“The truth,” Lucy shrugged.
“You set me up, didn’t you?”
“Men always blame women,” she scoffed.
When Emily returned, Daniel met her with flowers. Her kiss was icy.
At home, she slapped him hard.
“I told Lucy to test you. Wanted to see if you were loyal.”
His stomach dropped.
“And?”
“You failed. I need a real man.”
Humiliated, Daniel realised—some women were just as cunning as men.
Three years on, he’s still single. He dates but won’t commit. Emily, too, remains unmarried.
**Lesson learned: trust is fragile—and some tests are rigged from the start.**
