The night Jason proposed, I was ecstatic. But then, my phone rang. It was my best friend, Brooke. Her whisper sent chills down my spine: “Don’t trust him.” My perfect world cracked.
Brooke and I had been inseparable since we met after college. She was my rock through everything. So why wasn’t she happy for me?
It started when she met Jason. Over drinks, I sensed tension. When I asked her thoughts, she said, “He’s not right for you.” I was shocked. When I accused her of jealousy, she left abruptly.
Jason comforted me, saying Brooke might be bitter about being a single mom. Over time, I drifted from her. Then, after my engagement post, she called only to warn me again. Frustrated, I went to her house for answers.
Her mom, Stephanie, welcomed me in. When I mentioned Jason, she froze. “Melanie’s father’s name is Jason,” she revealed. I asked for a photo. When she handed it to me, my stomach dropped. It was my Jason.
When Brooke arrived, her face paled. “Why didn’t you tell me?” I demanded.
She broke down. “He threatened me. If I told you, he’d take Melanie away.”
My anger turned to resolve. I embraced her. “You’re not alone. We’ll handle this together.”
Relief washed over her. “Thank you.”
Jason wouldn’t see this coming.