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\nFor illustration purposes only | Source: Midjourney<\/p>\n
I thought faking a fianc\u00e9 would finally let me step out of my sister\u2019s shadow. But in the middle of my own scheme, I discovered that true love had been closer than I\u2019d ever realized.<\/p>\n
The moment I opened Mom\u2019s letter, I felt a familiar wave of dread wash over me. The whole family was gathering for Christmas, including my sister Megan and her new boyfriend. Perfect Megan, with her perfect life.<\/p>\n
I could already picture her\u2014radiant, accomplished, with some dazzling guy by her side while I just sat there, blending into the background as usual.<\/p>\n
\nFor illustration purposes only | Source: Midjourney<\/p>\n
An idea hit me out of nowhere.<\/p>\n
What if I show up with a fianc\u00e9 of my own?<\/p>\n
I looked around the office, and my gaze landed on Zach by the printer. He was organizing files. Reliable, responsible, and\u2026 not exactly \u201cPrince Charming,\u201d but he could work. And more importantly, he worked for me.<\/p>\n
\u201cHey, Zach,\u201d I called, strolling over casually.<\/p>\n
He looked up. \u201cYes, Claire?\u201d<\/p>\n
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\nFor illustration purposes only | Source: Midjourney<\/p>\n
\u201cWould you be interested in a, um, side project over the holidays?\u201d<\/p>\n
He raised an eyebrow. \u201cA side project?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYes, but more\u2026 personal,\u201d I said, glancing around to make sure no one else was listening. \u201cIt\u2019s just a quick thing with my family. I need someone to\u2026 play a role.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cA role? What kind of role?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cMy fianc\u00e9,\u201d I replied, letting the word drop with a casual shrug.<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/newzdiscover.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/4bb3c400aea85af694b451a0a6837276eccaf9755a216cd8de3d15cd46d93abb.webp\")
\nFor illustration purposes only | Source: Midjourney<\/p>\n
\u201cYour\u2026 fianc\u00e9?\u201d He looked like he\u2019d misheard me.<\/p>\n
\u201cYes, just for Christmas.\u201d I grinned, hoping I looked more confident than I felt. \u201cIt\u2019d be helping me out. My family is a little\u2026 competitive about relationships.\u201d<\/p>\n
He stared at me. \u201cI don\u2019t know, Claire\u2026 that seems\u2026 unusual.\u201d<\/p>\n
I leaned in, lowering my voice. \u201cThink of it as an opportunity, Zach. It could be good for your career. You know, help things along.\u201d<\/p>\n
His eyes widened. \u201cOh, God, Claire. If it\u2019s just for the holiday\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/newzdiscover.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/84a5112eb06961e37015ed1c1f4142993d16685fe13e4c292cede928428019a5.webp\")
\nFor illustration purposes only | Source: Midjourney<\/p>\n
\u201cYes!\u201d I clasped my hands together a bit too eagerly. \u201cJust one holiday.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cFine. I\u2019ll do it. But only this once.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cPerfect,\u201d I said, unable to hide my excitement. \u201cAll you need to do is show up, look convincing, and smile.\u201d<\/p>\n
As Zach and I walked up the long, winding path to my mom\u2019s grand house, I clung tighter to his arm. Inside, the atmosphere was warm and inviting, yet my heart sank when I spotted Megan.<\/p>\n
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\nFor illustration purposes only | Source: Midjourney<\/p>\n
She sat on the plush couch next to her boyfriend, Jason, laughing like she didn\u2019t have a care in the world. Her hair was perfectly styled, her smile dazzling. She looked up, eyes glinting when she saw us.<\/p>\n
\u201cWell, well,\u201d she drawled, standing up and sauntering over. \u201cClaire! And\u2026 who\u2019s this handsome man?\u201d Her eyes swept over Zach with suspicion.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is Zach,\u201d I said. \u201cMy boyfriend.\u201d<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/newzdiscover.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/725f9d8b6f76ef0ab477cd98dea56237ab601b8241d1bb85059c4c660e897d77.webp\")
\nFor illustration purposes only | Source: Midjourney<\/p>\n
\u201cBoyfriend, huh? Oh my, Claire, where did you find someone so\u2026 perfect?\u201d She let the word linger, clearly enjoying the hint of doubt in her voice.<\/p>\n
\u201cWork. We met at work. He\u2019s great, actually.\u201d<\/p>\n
Zach nodded, giving Megan a polite smile. \u201cNice to meet you, Megan.\u201d<\/p>\n
Megan\u2019s gaze lingered on us for a moment longer before she returned to Jason, whispering something in his ear that made him chuckle.<\/p>\n
My cheeks burned. I could tell she wasn\u2019t buying our act for a second.<\/p>\n
Later, while Zach was chatting with my dad, I overheard Megan and Jason talking in the hallway. I stopped, straining to listen.<\/p>\n
\u201cCan you believe it?\u201d Megan was saying with a laugh. \u201cMom said she\u2019d leave her inheritance to the first one of us who got married! Guess that means Claire and her \u2018boyfriend\u2019 are in a bit of a rush.\u201d<\/p>\n
Jason laughed softly. \u201cYou don\u2019t think she\u2019d actually\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cOh, she\u2019ll try, alright,\u201d Megan replied. \u201cBut it\u2019s Claire. She always falls short.\u201d<\/p>\n
So, Mom is turning our lives into some twisted race to the altar? Fine. If marriage is what Mom wants, then I\u2019m ready to give her exactly that.<\/p>\n
Later that evening, I dragged Zach to a small shop nearby and picked out the cheapest engagement ring I could find.<\/p>\n
Holding it up, I said, \u201cTomorrow, at dinner, you\u2019ll propose.\u201d<\/p>\n
Zach\u2019s eyes went wide. \u201cClaire, are you serious?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYes. It has to be done. You\u2019ll understand soon.\u201d<\/p>\n
The Christmas dinner table was set to perfection. Crystal glasses sparkled under the warm lights, and holiday decorations framed every inch of the room. I glanced at Zach, who caught my gaze and gave me a small, frightened smile.<\/p>\n
Then came the moment we\u2019d practiced for, rehearsed like actors preparing for the role of a lifetime. I could only hope he\u2019d remember his lines.<\/p>\n
\u201cEveryone,\u201d Zach said, clearing his throat as he stood up, his face pale but resolute. \u201cI have something important to say.\u201d<\/p>\n
The room fell silent. My mother\u2019s eyes lit up, practically sparkling. Megan raised an eyebrow, barely able to contain her smirk, and I could see Jason nudging her with an amused grin.<\/p>\n
\u201cClaire,\u201d Zach began, turning toward me.<\/p>\n
I watched as he slipped his hand into his pocket, fingers grazing the cheap ring that we\u2019d picked out together in that cramped jewelry store. My heart pounded so loudly that I was sure everyone could hear it.<\/p>\n
\u201cI never thought,\u201d he began, glancing around the table, \u201cthat I\u2019d find someone like Claire. She\u2019s\u2026 well, she\u2019s one of the most passionate people I know.\u201d<\/p>\n
He paused, and I saw something flicker in his eyes\u2014maybe nerves or maybe something else.<\/p>\n
My mother clasped her hands with excitement. Megan smirked, folding her arms, clearly enjoying the performance. I forced myself to breathe, gripping my napkin so tightly my knuckles turned white.<\/p>\n
Zach continued, \u201cShe pushes me to be better every day. And I realized\u2026 well, I realized that I couldn\u2019t imagine my life without her.\u201d<\/p>\n
His voice softened, almost genuine, and for a moment, I felt the room fade as he looked at me. I nearly forgot we were pretending. Nearly.<\/p>\n
\u201cWill you marry me?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYes!\u201d I clapped my hands together, throwing on the biggest smile I could muster. \u201cOh, I\u2026 I can\u2019t believe it!\u201d I gushed, practically shoving my hand out so he could slide the ring onto my trembling finger.<\/p>\n
As he slipped the ring on, I was praying no one noticed the rush of desperation beneath it all.<\/p>\n
\u201cOh, Claire, sweetheart!\u201d Mom cried, practically bouncing in her seat. \u201cThis is just\u2026 wonderful! I\u2019m so happy for you both!\u201d<\/p>\n
As I tried to force a laugh, I could feel Megan\u2019s eyes boring into me. But I was determined to play this role to the end, whatever it took.<\/p>\n
\u201cOh, Claire, darling,\u201d Mom continued. \u201cYou know, I\u2019ve been saving something very special for this day.\u201d<\/p>\n
She hurried out of the room, her heels clicking with excitement. A few minutes later, she returned, carrying a box wrapped in delicate silk.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis was my wedding dress,\u201d she said, her eyes misty with nostalgia as she opened the box. \u201cI saved it, hoping one day I could give it to one of my daughters. And now\u2026 it\u2019s yours.\u201d<\/p>\n
Mom\u2019s joy, Zach\u2019s quiet resignation, and Megan\u2019s smirk\u2014it was too much. I forced a smile, trying to keep my hands from shaking. \u201cOh, Mom, I\u2026 I don\u2019t know what to say. This is\u2026 so generous.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cTomorrow,\u201d Mom said, beaming, \u201cwe\u2019ll have the ceremony. I\u2019ve already called the family priest.\u201d<\/p>\n
Beside me, I felt Zach go rigid. His face was drained of color, and my own heart pounded with panic.<\/p>\n
What have I done?<\/p>\n
The next day, just before I slipped into the wedding dress, Megan sidled up to me. She leaned in, her voice low and mocking.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou know, I made up that whole inheritance story, right? Just to see what you\u2019d do.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat?\u201d I whispered, barely able to believe it.<\/p>\n
She shrugged, feigning innocence. \u201cI knew you\u2019d overhear. I just didn\u2019t think you\u2019d actually fall for it this hard.\u201d<\/p>\n
My face burned with anger and embarrassment. Megan tricked me, and I walked right into it. I was left with a choice: go through with that charade or run out and face the humiliation.<\/p>\n
As I stepped up to the altar, dressed in my mother\u2019s gown, the weight of it all hit me. The cheap ring on my finger felt heavy, like a reminder of every lie I\u2019d told.<\/p>\n
I looked over at Zach, who stood beside me, clearly trying to hold it together for my sake.<\/p>\n
But is this how I want to spend this day for the sake of a ridiculous rivalry?<\/p>\n
In that final second, something in me snapped. I couldn\u2019t do it. I pulled up my dress and bolted down the aisle, the fabric billowing behind me like a parachute. I didn\u2019t look back, didn\u2019t stop to see the stunned faces of my family or hear Megan\u2019s laughter or\u2026 or\u2026 or see Zack\u2019s eyes.<\/p>\n
I just ran.<\/p>\n
When I finally got home, reality crashed down like a wave. I let my jealousy, my need to prove myself, push me to this.<\/p>\n
And now? Now, I have a cheap ring, a fake fianc\u00e9, and a sinking feeling of shame.<\/p>\n
Back at work, I went straight to my office, eager to start the day and hoping to shake off the embarrassment from the holiday disaster. But as I walked in, Zach\u2019s desk was empty.<\/p>\n
Puzzled, I glanced around, half-expecting him to walk through the door at any moment. Instead, I noticed a folded piece of paper on my desk, my name scrawled in Zach\u2019s familiar handwriting.<\/p>\n
My heart sank as I unfolded the note. It read:<\/p>\n
\u201cClaire, I\u2019m sorry for leaving like this, but I think it\u2019s for the best. I didn\u2019t agree to be your fianc\u00e9 for the promotion or because of the pressure. I did it because I\u2019ve been in love with you for a long time. I wish things had been different, and I hope you find what you\u2019re really looking for.\u201d<\/p>\n
I hadn\u2019t realized how blind I\u2019d been to his real feelings. I sat there, realizing I\u2019d just lost someone who genuinely cared.<\/p>\n
Without a second thought, I grabbed my coat and headed out. I found Zach\u2019s address in his employee file and drove to his apartment, determined to make things right.<\/p>\n
When I arrived, the doctor let me in. Zach was sitting beside an elderly woman on the couch, holding her hand gently. She looked frail. She was probably his mom.<\/p>\n
As I took in the scene, everything clicked into place. He needed the income to help her.<\/p>\n
I stepped forward.<\/p>\n
\u201cZach, I had no idea\u2026 I\u2019m so sorry for everything. I never considered what you were going through.\u201d<\/p>\n
Zach looked up, surprised but calm. \u201cIt\u2019s alright, Claire. I didn\u2019t expect you to understand.\u201d<\/p>\n
I swallowed, feeling a surge of regret. \u201cLet me help. With her medical bills, I mean. Please.\u201d<\/p>\n
After a long pause, he nodded. We sat together, talking about everything that had happened, the absurdity of our pretend engagement, and the misunderstandings that had piled up between us.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou know\u2026 if you\u2019re still interested, I\u2019d like to go on a real date with you,\u201d I finally confessed.<\/p>\n
Zach smiled, and I felt my heart lighten. This time, there was no pretending.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
I thought faking a fianc\u00e9 would finally let me step out of my sister\u2019s shadow. But in the middle of my own scheme, I discovered that true love had been closer than I\u2019d ever realized. The moment I opened Mom\u2019s letter, I felt a familiar wave of dread wash over me. The whole family was […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-22052","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/newzdiscover.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/22052","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/newzdiscover.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/newzdiscover.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/newzdiscover.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/newzdiscover.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=22052"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/newzdiscover.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/22052\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":22059,"href":"https:\/\/newzdiscover.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/22052\/revisions\/22059"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/newzdiscover.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=22052"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/newzdiscover.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=22052"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/newzdiscover.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=22052"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}