Emma thought she had everything under control, but when her ex—the last-minute savior of her marriage—suddenly disappeared, leaving only a letter behind, the cracks in her carefully planned day began to appear. What could Ryan’s letter reveal, and why was Matt looking at it like he already knew?
Emma paced the living room, her phone pressed to her ear, as if the strength of its grip could solve all her problems.
His steps were quick and agitated, the kind that left invisible marks on the carpet.
The tension in the room was palpable, but Matt didn’t seem to notice—or care.
He was sprawled on the couch, casually scrolling through sports updates on his phone.
“She just quit, Matt! Two weeks before the wedding! Who does that?” Emma exclaimed, her tone sharp and laced with frustration.
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney
With a dramatic gesture, she threw her phone onto the coffee table, narrowly missing Matt’s coffee cup.
Matt barely looked up. “Find yourself another planner,” he said, as if the solution were that simple.
Emma stopped pacing, looking at him in amazement. “Oh, what a genius idea! Why didn’t I think of that?” she exclaimed, throwing her arms up in the air.
“Do you realize how hard it is to find a good wedding planner? They get booked up months and years in advance, Matt!”
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“Well,” he said, shrugging, “if it’s that impossible, what are you going to do?”
Emma hesitated, biting the inside of her cheek. Her fingers fiddled with the hem of her sweater.
“I… I might know someone who can help me. But you’re not going to like it.”
Matt finally sat up, his interest piqued. “Who?”
Emma avoided his gaze. “Ryan.”
Tension suddenly settled in the room. Matt froze. “Ryan? As in Ryan, your ex?” he said, his jaw clenched.
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Emma sighed, her shoulders slumping.
“Yes. But he’s one of the best wedding planners in town, Matt. And he’s the only one who could really pull this off on such short notice.”
Matt snorted and leaned back. “Oh, great. So your ex is going to plan our wedding. It’s not awkward at all.”
“Do you have a better idea?” Emma asked, sounding exasperated.
Matt stared at her, his face a mix of annoyance and resignation. Finally, he sighed. “Fine. Call him. But if he starts remembering your prom, I’m out.”
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Emma pushed open the door to Ryan’s office downtown, her heart pounding as if she were back in high school giving a presentation.
The office was just as she had imagined it: sleek, modern, and meticulously tidy.
Floor-to-ceiling windows bathed the room in natural light, bouncing off the glass surfaces and designer furniture.
Ryan stood by his desk, his back to her, casually flipping through a stack of fabric swatches.
“Ryan?” Emma said hesitantly, her voice betraying her nervousness.
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He turned around, his expression changing from mild curiosity to warm surprise. “Emma, I was shocked you called to say you wanted to meet. It’s been… what, five years?”
“Six,” she corrected, her voice soft but calm. Seeing him after all this time seemed surreal. His easy smile, the same one that made her heart flutter, was still intact.
Ryan took a step forward, his tone teasing. “And to what do I owe this honor? You came to dip into my Rolodex to give me advice on fabrics?”
Emma exhaled abruptly and told him her story.
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Her words slurred, punctuated by wild hand gestures as she explained her wedding planner’s abrupt resignation and her last-minute rush to arrange everything. Ryan leaned on his desk, arms crossed, nodding occasionally.
Her calm, attentive expression only heightened her awareness of his frenzy.
When she finally stopped, he tilted his head, a hint of amusement in his eyes. “Okay. I’ll do it.”
“Like this?” she said, raising her eyebrows.
Ryan’s smile widened. “Sure. But on one condition.”
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Emma blinked. “Tell me what you want.”
“Dinner. After the wedding. You’re the one treating.”
She laughed nervously, not entirely sure he was joking. “Thanks, Ryan, you’re a lifesaver.”
The door behind her opened, and Matt walked in, his gaze heavy with suspicion. His eyes flicked between Emma and Ryan, assessing the situation.
“Thanks for helping us,” Matt said sharply.
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Ryan extended his hand, his smile unwavering. “Whatever you want for Emma.”
Matt hesitated for a moment before shaking Ryan’s hand, his posture tense.
Emma grasped the exchange, the unspoken challenge hanging in the air like a storm cloud. This is going to be complicated.
Ryan and Emma stood side by side at the arrangement table, the scent of fresh roses mingling with the light scent of catering surprises.
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The caterer had just left, mumbling apologies for an unfortunate mix-up. Emma clutched her temples as she absorbed the news.
“So, you’re telling me the main course is now vegan lasagna instead of filet mignon?” she said, her voice rising an octave.
Ryan leaned casually on the table, his expression infuriatingly calm. “Well,” he began with a smirk, “you could frame it as a ‘newlywed diet.’ Matt might even thank you for saving his cholesterol.”
Emma blinked at him, then burst out laughing despite herself. The tension in her shoulders had eased.
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“My God, you always find a way to make me laugh. Even now.”
He smiled, visibly pleased with himself. “That’s my specialty—keeping the bride sane. Someone has to do it.”
Emma shook her head, her smile fading to something softer.
“Thanks, Ryan. Really. I don’t know what I’d do without you right now.”
Ryan’s cheerful demeanor gave way to something deeper. He turned to face Emma fully, his voice low and sincere.
“Emma… you’re amazing, you know that? You always have been.”
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“Ryan…” Emma whispered, the weight of his words pulling her heart in contradictory directions.
He moved closer, his gaze fixed, and without thinking, he leaned towards her.
The world had stopped. Their shared laughter had been replaced by a quiet intensity. For a fleeting moment, Emma closed her eyes, her heart racing.
Then she pulled away, breathless.
“No,” she said firmly. “I can’t do this. I have feelings for you, but I can’t betray Matt’s trust. It wouldn’t be right.”
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Ryan immediately took a step back, regret clouding his face. “You’re right. I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have…”
“It’s okay,” she interrupted, forcing a small smile. “Let’s focus on the wedding, okay?”
Unbeknownst to them, Matt was standing outside, watching the scene through the window, his hands clenched at his sides, his jaw clenched.
Without a word, he turned away, his expression dark and unreadable.
Sunlight streaming through the stained-glass windows bathed the room in a kaleidoscope of colors.
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Emma stood in front of the mirror in her dressing room, smoothing out the invisible wrinkles in her dress.
The dress was perfect—elegant, timeless, and exactly what she’d dreamed of since she was a little girl. But the knot in her stomach just wouldn’t go away.
“Where’s Ryan?” Emma asked, glancing over her shoulder at one of her bridesmaids, who was adjusting her makeup in the corner.
The maid of honor shrugged. “I haven’t seen him all morning. Maybe he’s running around finalizing details?”
Emma frowned. Ryan never missed a detail, and he was never late.
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His gaze fell on the small table by the window where a cream-colored envelope lay. His name was written on the front in bold, familiar handwriting.
With trembling hands, Emma took it and slipped her finger under the seal. Her heart raced as she unfolded the note.
Emma, I can’t be here today. Watching you marry someone else is more than I can bear. I’ve loved you since the day we met, and I always will. Your fiancé isn’t the one for you… But you deserve someone who can give you everything you need. Be happy. Ryan
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Her breath caught and tears fell, smearing the ink as she clutched the letter.
How did it come to this? She thought Ryan would be able to be here, even if it meant seeing her with Matt. But now…
The door burst open and Matt burst through, his face covered in a cloud of thunder. “Where’s Ryan?” he asked sharply.
Emma turned around slowly, her expression calm despite the commotion inside. “He’s gone.”
Matt’s eyes narrowed, suspicion clouding his features. “Gone? Or is he hiding after what I saw?”
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Emma stiffened. “What do you mean, what did you see ?”
“I saw you both,” Matt spat. “Laughing, leaning in, like it was more than just work. Don’t lie to me.”
“Nothing happened,” Emma said firmly, meeting his gaze. “You’re letting your jealousy cloud your judgment.”
“Don’t insult me, Emma. You wanted this to happen. Admit it,” Matt hissed.
Emma took a deep breath, the weight of the moment pressing down on her chest.
“You know what, Matt? I’m done. I’m done with your jealousy, your accusations, your lack of confidence. I can’t marry someone who doesn’t believe in me.”
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Gasps rippled through the crowd outside as Emma stepped down the aisle. Head held high and voice steady, she addressed the room.
“I’m sorry, everyone. There won’t be a wedding today.”
Emma stood outside Ryan’s apartment, her heart racing as she raised her hand to knock.
The hallway smelled of fresh paint, and the muffled sound of a guitar echoed faintly from the neighboring apartment. She hesitated for a moment, clutching the strap of her bag tightly, then knocked firmly three times.
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The door opened, and Ryan was standing there, looking stunned. His blue eyes widened when he saw her. “Emma?” he said, his voice a mixture of surprise and confusion.
She took a deep breath. “I called off the wedding,” she breathed, her voice trembling slightly.
Ryan blinked, his expression unreadable. “Why?” he asked softly, stepping back to let her in.
Emma walked in, the familiar scent of Ryan’s cologne enveloping her. She turned to him, her voice steady despite the storm in her chest.
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“Because I deserve to be with someone who truly sees me,” she said, her words thoughtful. “And because I love you too.”
Ryan stared at her for a moment, his surprise turning into something warmer—hope, perhaps. Slowly, a smile crept across his face. “Do you really think so?”
Emma nodded, tears welling in her eyes. “I’ve never been so sure.”
Without hesitation, Ryan closed the distance between them and pulled her into his arms. Their laughter mingled as he kissed her, the tension dissipating.
For the first time, Emma felt free, finally choosing the love that was there, waiting for her quietly, forever.
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If you liked this story, read this one: Pam thought her high school reunion would be a simple trip down memory lane. But when an old prom tape surfaced, her curiosity grew. As the tape began to play, the grainy footage revealed something that made Pam question everything she thought she knew about her loved ones. Read the full story here .
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