**Diary Entry**
*Heres the truth about your fiancée.* Those were the words my father spoke, his voice stiff as he handed me the flash drive.
I kept glancing at my watch. Id booked a table at *The White Rose*the most exclusive restaurant in Manchester. Emily was already ten minutes late, and tardiness always soured my mood. Punctuality was one of the few things I valued above all else.
With a sigh, I flipped through the menu again, though I already knew what Id order. Fatigue and the unsettling conversation with my father had left my thoughts tangled. Just as I reached for my phone to call her, the restaurant door swung open.
*Darling! Forgive me for being late!* She rushed to the table like a whirlwind in a pale blue dress that hugged her slender frame. Leaning in, she kissed me lightly. The scent of spring flowers and something unmistakably *her* washed over me, dissolving my irritation in an instant.
*You know how I hate waiting,* I said, trying to keep my voice sternbut a smile tugged at my lips. It was impossible to stay angry at her.
*And I,* she teased, mischief dancing in her eyes, *adore making such a handsome man wait for me. Would you believe I got stuck at a traffic light? Then some elderly woman crossed the road so slowly, I nearly lost my mind!*
I laughed. *Admit it, you spent half an hour on your makeup instead.*
*Twenty-five minutes!* she protested, feigning outrage.
I couldnt look away. Her chestnut waves fell softly over her shoulders, her blue eyes sparkled, and her dimples made her smile utterly disarming. Every time I looked at her, I still couldnt believe my luck. Two years since wed met, a year and a half together, a year engaged. And now
*To us?* I raised my champagne flute.
*To us,* she agreed, her eyes flickering with something that sent a jolt through me.
We ordered, chatting easily about our day. She was animated as ever, recounting her work at the clinic, a funny incident with a child patient, how the head doctor had praised her as *the golden nurse.*
*And what about you?* she asked between bites of salmon. *Hows the project with your dad coming along?*
*Fine,* I shrugged. *On schedule, but deadlines are tight as always.*
She nodded, thenalmost casuallyasked, *Speaking of deadlines When are we finally setting a wedding date?*
I froze. There it was. Again.
*Em, weve talked about this. Once the project wraps up*
*Yes, yes, I know,* she waved impatiently. *But its been six months! James, I dont want to wait anymore. Weve been engaged for a year. Whats the hold-up?*
*Im not stalling. Its just not the right time.*
*And when will it be? When Im fifty? I want to be your wife, not just your fiancée!*
*Emily, Im swamped right now*
*Oh, please! As if youd have to do more than just show up on the day!*
*Its not about that,* I snapped, frustration rising. *I want everything perfect.*
*So do I!* she shot back. *And you know whats perfect? A wedding on an island! Weve talked about thisMaldives, Bali, Seychellesyour pick! They handle everything. We just show up.*
*This island obsession again. Do you need the glitz, or just the bragging rights?*
She shoved her plate away. *So thats what you think? That Im only after your money? That I just want a lavish wedding?*
*Isnt it?* The words slipped out before I could stop them. *All you talk about is the wedding, the trips, the things you want to experience. Never just being with me.*
*Youre impossible!* Tears welled in her eyes. *I just want to marry you! And you keep making excuses! If you dont want this, just say so!*
*Im not making excuses!* My voice rose, drawing glances from nearby diners. *Why do you keep pushing me?*
*Because I love you, you idiot! But you dont get itor maybe you just dont care!*
I stood abruptly, tossing a handful of large banknotes on the table. *You know what? Im not doing this here. Call me when youve calmed down.*
I stormed out, ignoring the waiters bewildered stare and Emilys muffled sobs behind me.
—
I sped through the city, well over the limit. The latest Jaguar model handled the turns effortlessly. I blasted music, trying to drown my thoughtsbut it didnt help.
Why had it gotten so complicated? When we first met, everything was different.
It had been a routine visit to my fathers clinic for paperwork. Robert Hartleyone of the countrys top cardiologists and owner of a private healthcare empirenever mixed family and business. *Keep it in the family,* he always said.
As the only son and heir, Id grown up under scrutinyschool, university, workeveryone treated me differently. By twenty-five, I was exhausted by women who only saw my wallet. Models, socialites, ambitious executivesall wearing the same calculated smiles.
Then I met Emily.
That day, shed been at reception, filling out forms. Simple white nurses uniform, hair in a neat ponytailnothing flashy. When she looked up and smiled, something inside me shifted. No pretense, just warmth.
I found excuses to talk to hercoffee, then dinnerand she wasnt like the others. Grew up modestly, worked since sixteen, paid her own way. Her genuineness hooked meno games, no masks.
Mum adored her instantly. *Shes real, Jamie. Hold onto her.* From day one, she called Emily *her girl.*
Dad, though? He never criticized herpraised her work ethic, even. But whenever I mentioned marriage, something flickered in his eyes.
*Shes a good girl, James but not for you.* That phrase festered in my mind. Had he seen something I hadnt?
Tonight only amplified the doubt. Her wedding urgency, the island fantasywas she just like the rest?
—
I got home near midnight. Dad was in the living room, whiskey in hand.
*Waiting up?* I dropped into a chair.
*Mum called Emily. She was crying. What happened?*
*A fight. Not now, Dad.*
He silently poured me a drink. *When I met your mother, my parents disapproved. Thought a nurse from a small town wasnt good enough for a Hartley. Best decision I ever made.*
A pause. Then, bluntly: *You fought about the wedding?*
*She keeps pushing. The island nonsenselike she just wants a spectacle.*
*Are you sure?*
*No,* I admitted. *But youve always acted strange about her. Like youre hiding something.*
He studied me, then stood. *Wait here.*
Minutes later, he returned with a flash drive. *The truth about your fiancée.*
I plugged it into my laptopmedical files from his clinic. Test results, scans, specialist notes. Congenital heart defect. Progressive deterioration. Urgent surgery required.
*This is Emily?!*
*My patient for five years. Thats why she joined the clinicto stay monitored.*
*Why didnt she tell me?! Why didnt YOU?!*
*Doctor-patient confidentiality. She begged me not to. Didnt want your pity.*
*PITY?!* I was on my feet. *I love her! And she didnt trust me?!*
*She wanted to protect you.*
*From what? From loving her while theres still time?!*
I grabbed my keys.
*Where are you going?*
*To her. And dont expect us for Sunday dinner. Well be planning a wedding.*
—
I drove like a madman. *Just let me make it in time.* The words now carried a darker weight.
Her flats lights were on. I rang the buzzer with enough force to break it.
*James?* Her voice was raw from crying.
*Open up.*
She didpuffy-eyed, in an oversized jumperbut still breathtaking.
*Why didnt you tell me?* I crushed her in my arms before she could speak.
*About what?*
*Your heart.* I pulled back to see her face. *Dad showed me your records.*
*He had no right*
*He did. As my father, he had every right to stop me from losing you over stupid pride.*
*I didnt want you to know. Didnt want to be a burden.*
*Look at me.* I cupped her face. *I love YOU. Not your health, not your body
