Marrying Without My Eight-Year Boyfriend Knowing novel Chapter 1

I was getting married tomorrow, but my boyfriend of eight years had no idea.

These days, he'd been completely absorbed with his new executive assistant. They'd hit it off instantly, their endless conversations punctuated with laughter. For her birthday celebration, he'd even special-ordered an elaborate three-tiered cake from an upscale bakery. At the party, they'd playfully smeared frosting on each other's faces, seemingly forgetting my severe dairy allergy.

That night ended with me in the ER, and when I finally regained consciousness, I agreed to the arranged marriage my parents had proposed.

Mom wasted no time. Just as I was about to unlock my apartment door after returning from the hospital, she bombarded my phone with wedding packages to choose from.

As I scrolled through the options, her final message made me pause.

[I always knew you and Nathan wouldn't work out. If he truly wanted to marry you, why would he string you along for eight years? Better to realize it now than never. I've already lined everything up for the wedding.]

[The ceremony is in three days. Take your time packing. No need to rush.]

Apparently, everyone else had seen what I'd been blind to. But I'd been caught in Nathan's web of empty promises, unable to break free.

With a resigned sigh, I sent her a voice message. "Mom, just pick whatever you think is best. They all look fine. Let's keep it simple."

I didn't notice Nathan approaching from behind. When he caught the word "wedding," he blurted out, "Wedding? What wedding?"

Just as he tried to peek at my screen, I quickly pocketed my phone. He reached for it, but at that exact moment, his phone started ringing.

The night was so quiet that I could clearly hear the panicked female voice on the other end.

"Nathan, I just went downstairs to grab something from my car, and I think someone's following me! I'm really freaked out. I've walked around the block twice, but they're still there!"

Nathan's expression instantly transformed into one of concern.

She fell silent for a moment before asking slowly, "Have you really thought this through? I mean, Nathan clearly cares about you; I just don't understand why he hasn't proposed. Maybe I should talk to him?"

I gave a small, detached smile.

"Don't bother. It was never really a relationship anyway. We never made it official. Just eight years of this undefined thing between us. If I don't end it now, I'll waste my entire youth."

Aunt Marie was stunned to learn we'd lived together for eight years without ever defining our relationship, so she didn't push further and said she'd support whatever I decided.

Before bed, I set a three-day countdown widget on my phone.

The next day, I asked my mom to send some local New England specialties as a thank-you to my aunt for her decade of care and as a farewell gift.

That evening, a delivery truck finally arrived loaded with packages. I gave the driver directions to my aunt's house, but I didn't expect to run into Nathan downstairs.