The Wait

**Waiting**

During her final year at university, Jane was proposed to by Max, her boyfriend of nearly a year. Like many young couples, they dreamed of married life together. Jane felt she was the luckiest woman alive—marrying for love. She often recalled her grandmother’s words:

*”Darling, marry for love, trust me—I’ve lived long enough to know. And don’t believe those old sayings about ‘time healing all wounds.’ It doesn’t.”*

Jane loved Max and was certain he loved her too, so she accepted his proposal without hesitation.

*”You’ll be my maid of honour, Lottie,”* she said to her best friend, who shared her dorm room.

*”Of course—who else would it be?”* Lottie replied.

But just three days later, Jane’s world shattered. She walked in on Max and Lottie in the study room of their dorm—in a compromising position.

*”Couldn’t even find a better spot?”* Jane spat before storming out in tears.

Max later begged for forgiveness, stammering excuses.

*”Jane, it’s not what you think—”*

*”I know exactly what it is,”* she snapped. *”I want nothing to do with you—let alone marriage. You’re a traitor, and so is my ex-best friend. You deserve each other.”*

After the betrayal, Jane vowed never to trust men again. She resolved to toy with their emotions, just as they had done to her.

*”It’s cynical,”* she thought, *”but I won’t let myself be hurt like that again.”*

Max and Lottie married soon after, and she became pregnant. Jane stayed in the city after graduation, landing a job—only to discover Max worked in the same office, just a different department. They occasionally crossed paths.

*”Fancy seeing you here,”* Max said when they first met in the office. *”How are you?”*

*”Brilliant, thanks,”* Jane replied cheerfully, determined not to show her pain. *”And you?”*

*”Well, I’m a new dad—Lottie had a girl.”*

*”Congratulations,”* Jane said before excusing herself.

At the office Christmas party, a tipsy Max hovered around her, and she effortlessly reeled him back in. But when he confessed how much he missed her and still loved her, she shut him down—then made sure Lottie knew every detail.

Jane knew it was revenge, yet she felt no guilt. She dated men but refused marriage, cutting things off the moment relationships turned serious.

Then a new colleague, Arthur, joined as department head. From day one, he showed Jane attention.

*”Watch out, Jane—Arthur’s smitten,”* her coworkers teased.

*”We’ll see,”* she shrugged.

Soon, he was head over heels, inviting her to cafés. She accepted a few times but kept her distance, maintaining dignity.

*”Jane,”* her colleague and friend Nancy warned, *”you know Arthur’s married with four kids, right?”*

*”Four?”* Jane feigned surprise.

*”Yes, HR confirmed it. He’s smitten with you—but do you really want that mess?”*

*”Thanks, Nancy. I wasn’t planning on stealing him. Just playing games, like they do.”*

When Arthur next asked her to dinner, she refused.

*”No, thanks. Your kids don’t deserve a father like you.”*

Stunned, he never approached her again.

Years passed, and Jane remained guarded. At thirty-two, she was beautiful, successful—and single. She amused herself by leading married men on, always keeping them at arm’s length. Yet she grew disillusioned by their lies and betrayals.

Then, at her new job, she met Oliver—kind, thoughtful, and unlike any man she’d known. They often lunched together, and she sensed a quiet attraction. Yet something held him back.

After a work party, he offered her a taxi home but declined her invitation for tea. She saw warmth in his eyes but felt an invisible barrier between them.

Later, a colleague revealed the truth.

*”Jane, you know Oliver’s married?”*

*”Yes,”* she admitted.

*”Then you know he’d never stray. He’s devoted to his wife.”*

At another gathering, Jane finally asked him directly.

*”Oliver, do you love your wife?”*

He sighed. *”We fell in love at first sight. But then she fell ill—bedridden. I was unfaithful before, and I believe her sickness is my punishment. She begs me to leave, but I won’t. This is my burden to bear.”*

Jane was stunned. *”You’d sacrifice your whole life?”*

*”Not by choice. The doctors give no hope.”*

*”I see,”* she murmured.

After a pause, she whispered, *”I’ll wait for you.”*

*”Wait for what?”*

*”For you, Oliver. Just you.”*

A year passed, and Jane remained alone—not waiting for his wife’s death, but for him. She believed, one day, they’d find happiness together.

Some loves are worth waiting for—even if the wait feels endless.

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The Wait