My Fiancée Delayed Our Wedding, Then Deeply Regretted It

My fiance was coming home after five years abroad. I went to meet her at the airport, and when I stepped forward to hold her, the risk analyst at her side shoved me back.

Dark circles under his eyes. Risk rating up ten.

No cologne, no tie. Risk rating up ten.

His company is worth less than Ms. Henson's. Mismatched in standing. Risk rating up eighty.

"Overall assessment: highest possible risk. Marrying this man would severely damage your reputation, Ms. Henson. Recommendation: cancel the engagement."

I frowned slightly and turned to Linda Henson. "You're really going to let him run his mouth like this?"

She was the one who'd asked me last night to rush an assessment on a partnership and write up a risk report. The least she could do was say something on my behalf.

Instead she spread her hands and smiled. "Roy Sullivan's a professional. He's never been wrong."

Once the surprise passed, I almost wanted to laugh.

If sincerity earned me nothing back, then there'd be no wedding. And I'd pull back every bit of support I'd quietly been giving Linda while I was at it.

...

"From today on, kindly keep three yards away from Ms. Henson."

Roy went to shove me again.

Like I'd caught some contagious disease.

I caught his wrist and said coldly, "Remember this. You're just an employee."

"But I'm also the person Ms. Henson trusts most."

A provoking little smirk curled at his lips, and he turned to Linda for confirmation.

"Roy's the confidant my father brought to me. He would never do anything to hurt me."

Linda nodded right along with him.

"Ha."

The anger curdled into a laugh. I pressed Linda. "So you think I'm the one out to hurt you?"

"I wouldn't go that far."

That was all she said.

Watching her stand there so cool, so detached, so eerily steady, my chest went tight.

Five years ago, before Linda left the country, she'd leaned into my arms and said, "Jarvis, as long as you're with me, I'm not afraid of anything, not even the worst storm."

"Wait five years for me."

"And then we'll have a huge wedding."

I'd truly believed time couldn't break a love that burned like ours.

I used to daydream about how happy our life would be after we married.

But now reality had spelled it out for me. Five years of aching, waiting, and all it bought me was one line. "I wouldn't go that far."

I drew a deep breath and looked at Linda again.

"Seven years between us, and you'll let some risk analyst who showed up half a year ago decide what it's worth?"

"When the Hensons were on the edge of bankruptcy and everyone else steered clear, I was the only one who stood by you. I helped clear the family's debts."

"Even the chance for the Hensons to expand overseas, I gave that up for you"

But this time.

Before I could finish, Roy cut in with a raised hand. "Isn't that exactly what a boyfriend is supposed to do?"

"Don't blame me for the warning. Ms. Henson is the dream woman of countless men."

"If you really loved her, you'd find a way to lower your risk rating, not drag up all this stale old history."

"Starting with a little disinfecting."

Mocking me, he pulled out a bottle of alcohol and sprayed it at my face.

Crack.

My hand came up and I slapped him, saying coldly, "You dream about her too, don't you?"

"That's why you're standing here trying to drive us apart."

The next second.

Before Roy could even react, Linda rushed over and pressed a blade to my throat.

"Jarvis Gilbert!"

"Who do you think you are, hitting my man?"

I froze. But the shock passed quickly.

Five years was long enough to change a person completely, head to foot, inside and out.

The Linda who once believed in love, who once knew how to meet me halfway, was long dead.

The Linda in front of me was cold, unfeeling, with profit above all.

"Fine."

"Don't let it happen again."

Just like that, Linda drew the knife back and frowned as she lectured me. "Roy was right just now."

"Given where I stand now, you really do need to work on yourself before you're worthy of me."

"The wedding is postponed for now. I'll announce it three days from now, at the signing ceremony with all the partner companies."

I took a deep breath. "Maybe we should just"

I didn't get the word out. Break up.

Linda spoke over me. "No matter how much you say, it won't change my mind."

"Roy, let's go."

She and Roy got in the car and drove off.

I shook my head, took out my phone, and made a call. "Within three days, halt every deal with Henson Group."

After I gave the secretary order, I went home and slept, and the next morning I woke to my phone ringing.

"Jarvis Gilbert!"

"I've called you a dozen times. Why aren't you picking up?"

The second I answered, Linda's cold demand came through.

"I was asleep."

I said it around a yawn.

"What?!"

Her voice shot up, indignant. "Is the risk report finished? And you're sleeping? Don't you know I need to show it to the shareholders at today's meeting?"

Yesterday I wasn't accomplished enough, too high a marriage risk.

This morning she was hounding me for the risk report.

I couldn't understand how she managed to sound so righteous about it.

"Isn't Roy the professional risk analyst? Let him do it," I said, and gave a short laugh. "I'm sure he'll hand in an excellent report."

"Enough! Stop digging a pit for him to fall into!"

Her tone grew more and more impatient. "Roy doesn't know the domestic market well, and business isn't his specialty. Besides, he just got back and he's still jet-lagged."

"He was only looking out for me when he said those things about you. Do you really have to hold a grudge over it?"

"You know I don't like a petty man."

For her, I'd given everything without a second thought.

And I got called petty.

Meanwhile Roy just moved his lips a little, handed out a score.

And she defended him at every turn.

The double standard was too glaring to miss.

"Have the risk report here before ten."

"Or I'll take Roy's advice and call off the engagement."

Linda kept going.

"Fine."

"Then let's call it off."

I agreed.

The line went silent for half a minute before her voice came again.

"I don't have time to play games with you."

"Roy says if you complete this task, your risk rating can drop two levels."

Then Linda hung up.

It seemed that in her mind I was some kind of product, waiting to be judged over and over.

Tagged with all sorts of labels.

Always one step from being pulled off the shelf.

I washed up quickly and went to the office, picked up the nearly finished assessment report on my desk.

And dropped it straight into the trash.

"Mr. Gilbert."

The secretary came in and handed me a few documents. "These are the projects where the Gilberts work directly with Henson Group. Once they're terminated, there's no bringing them back."

"Several of the city's biggest companies have called too, asking whether you really mean to cut ties with the Hensons."

"Do you want to reconsider?"

I couldn't blame them for hesitating.

The whole city knew how fiercely, how spectacularly I'd loved Linda.

So they were all afraid I loved her so much I was just

lashing out in a fit of temper.

"No need to reconsider. Do it the way I said. Terminate everything."

I waved a hand and went to my meeting.

Normally I never turned my phone off, no matter the hour, and I'd set a personal ringtone just for Linda.

I was afraid she wouldn't be able to reach me.

Because I knew a long-distance relationship wasn't easy to keep.

At first, Linda messaged me often, sharing her days and her work.

I always answered carefully.

I shared my own life too.

But as time went on, her messages grew fewer.

She said work was busy.

By the time Roy was at her side, the chat was almost all my messages.

She replied maybe once a week.

I'd asked about it.

She still said she was too busy, and hoped I'd understand.

Until last night, when I finally saw it. She wasn't busy. She simply couldn't stand me.

And whatever Roy said, she let it ride.

So I should cancel her personal ringtone and her special treatment too.

At dusk, the meeting ended.

When I turned my phone back on, I found Linda had sent me a pile of messages.

Jarvis Gilbert! Where the hell did you disappear to?

If you won't come yourself, then send over the risk report. Do you want to humiliate me in front of every single shareholder?

Your risk rating is going up to 1,000. No, make it 100,000!!

I was about to reply.

Then Linda's father called.

Jarvis.

I hear you and Linda had a fight? Come have dinner at my place, talk it out, don't let it hurt what you two have.

So.

I went to the Hensons'.

Seven years ago, the Hensons sold off nearly everything they owned and were forced to rent.

Five years ago, with my help, they climbed out of the crisis and had a home of their own again.

Now they'd bought back the standalone mansion they once lost.

And renovated it to be even grander.

Like a palace.

I walked into the house just in time to see Linda and Roy laughing together on the sofa.

Roy, which sports car do you like? Take your pick, any of them. You've done so much for the Hensons, you deserve a reward.

Linda's face was all smiles, her eyes full of admiration.

It didn't sit well with me.

Seven years together, seven years of everything I gave, and all I ever got from Linda was a word of praise. Never anything real, not so much as a holiday gift.

I used to think that was just who she was.

Only now did I understand: in her heart, I simply wasn't worth it.

Jarvis is here, come sit.

Lowell Henson's voice came from the side.

Only then did Linda and Roy look up and see me, and their smiles vanished in an instant.

Right away, Roy spoke up first. Linda, Uncle Lowell, to keep this conflict from getting worse, I've decided to resign!

I'll no longer serve as risk analyst.

And with that, he stood as if to leave.

Clearly a move to gain ground by pretending to give it up.

And it worked beautifully.

Linda quickly grabbed him and soothed, It's not your fault.

Then.

Linda turned to me, frowning. Look at you. Look what you've driven Roy to.

I can let the report thing go.

But you have to apologize to Roy!

For a moment I couldn't get a word out.

I was the one who'd been wronged.

Yet in her mouth I'd become the villain.

All right, all right, that's enough from both of you. Sit down and talk it through.

Smoothing things over, Lowell pulled me down into a seat and went on. I have an idea. See what you think.

Jarvis folds his company into Henson Group and marries into the family.

I froze.

I'd thought Lowell genuinely wanted to fix things. Turned out he was an old fox too.

He was after my company.

He meant to bleed me dry and then swallow whatever was left.

That's a good idea, Uncle Lowell.

Roy pushed up his glasses. With Jarvis marrying in, the mismatch in status is resolved.

Risk rating drops to 20. Ordinary level. Acceptable.

And he was off on another one of his analyses.

Fine.

Since Roy says it's acceptable, then I agree.

Linda folded her arms across her chest, chin still tipped high, wearing the airs of a queen.

Then let's sign the agreement.

Smiling, Lowell produced the papers.

From start to finish, no one had asked what I wanted.

As if they were sure I'd sign.

Lowell handed me a pen and said, Jarvis, this is the biggest concession I could win for you. If you want to marry my daughter, don't let it slip away.

I gave a small smile and didn't take it.

This agreement, I won't sign.

The room went silent.

Then Roy narrowed his eyes and said, "Refusing the best advice on the table means a stubborn temperament and a hot temper."

"Marriage risk rating, plus a hundred!"

Lowell's smile faded, and his brow drew together. "Jarvis, do you hear yourself? After all the trouble I've gone to for you."

"It seems Roy's read on your risk was right after all."

"Linda shouldn't marry you."

I stood up. "If two people's feelings need a third person pointing fingers to work, then no, we shouldn't get married."

That said.

I turned and walked out.

Behind me, Linda's voice followed. "Jarvis Gilbert, you'd better think this through."

Lowell's tone dropped too. "A company your size, going against the Hensons, you won't have an easy time of it."

I only smiled.

"Suit yourselves."

I was stopped at an intersection, waiting on the light.

My secretary called. "Mr. Gilbert, the Hensons just canceled every bit of cooperation with us."

"Fast work."

I let out a cold laugh. "Put the word out. Let's see who still has the nerve to sign with the Hensons at the ceremony the day after tomorrow."

I'd barely hung up when a car came tearing in from the left.

There was no time to swerve.

A deafening crash, and pain shot through every bone in me. My head hit something, the world spun, and through the blur I made out Linda's car driving past.

She saw me. The gasp broke out of her. "Jarvis?!"

Our eyes met.

I lay there thinking.

Seven years bleeding myself dry for the Hensons, all of it for her. Even for the sake of what we once had, she should save me.

But the moment Linda moved to get out, Roy stopped her from the passenger seat.

"Don't!"

"Getting out now is a risk rating of a hundred! People will spread rumors and hurt your reputation, your image."

Once again Roy ran his risk assessment.

Linda hesitated. In the end she turned her face away, floored it, and was gone in an instant.

I smiled, a wretched thing, and slowly closed my eyes.

So this was it.

I didn't just come up short against Roy.

Set beside Linda's so-called face and image, I wasn't worth a thing.

Seven years.

Even a dog you'd kept that long would grab your sleeve in its teeth and drag you clear, wouldn't it?

And I'd raised an ingrate instead.

Consciousness slipped away.

When I woke again it was the next morning, and the doorway of the ward was packed with people.

All of them prominent local business owners.

"Mr. Gilbert, you're finally awake!"

"That Linda Henson is a piece of work, watching you crash right in front of her and not lifting a finger."

"Without you she's nothing! Chewing the hand that fed her, that's what she is!"

One after another they took up my cause.

I was curious to see how the Hensons would pull off their grand signing ceremony tomorrow.

The next day, at the signing.

"Linda, by my assessment, the risk for this signing ceremony is zero."

"Henson Group is certain to reach favorable deals with every local business."

Roy said it with a smile.

Linda and Lowell nodded, and said as one, "With you here, we can rest easy."

As the business owners took their seats, Linda stepped up to the podium. "The agreements are in front of each of you. Once everyone's signed, we'll start the banquet."

"Here's to a pleasant partnership."

But the room stayed silent. No one picked up a pen.