No More Waiting, She Chooses Love

"Felicia, I've prepared a grand celebration dinner for tonight. I've even invited all our friends and family. Make sure you're back by six, okay?"

Jacqueline's words caught me off guard. It dawned on me that she was unaware that Conrad and I hadn't gotten our marriage license. It seemed Conrad hadn't spilled the beans, probably fearing a scolding after last night's cold reception.

Hearing the joy and anticipation in Jacqueline's voice, I felt a pang of guilt about breaking the news to her. Conrad and I not getting married was a settled matter, a temporary secret we couldn't keep forever. Especially not now.

If all the guests showed up, things would be more embarrassing for her.

"Jacqueline," I called out to her softly.

"Oh, sweetheart, what's the matter? You're my daughter-in-law now. We're family. If Rad dares wrong you, let me know. I'll kick his ass." Jacqueline joked.

My heart, which had been numb, suddenly felt heavy. "Jacqueline, I'm so sorry. I, I might never have the right to be your daughter-in-law."

For ten years, there were countless times I wished I could be her daughter-in-law. But that dream would never come true.

"What do you mean?" Jacqueline sounded confused. "Felicia, if you're uncomfortable about the new role, that's okay. We'll remain everything the same..."

"We didn't get the license," I cut Jacqueline off, "and we never will."

"What?" Jacqueline was stunned. "What happened? Felicia..."

"Jacqueline, we broke up," I said, feeling a weight off my shoulders after confessing.

There was silence on the other end of the phone was afraid Jacqueline couldn't handle the disappointment. Over the years, she had treated like a daughter, and I knew how

much she wanted me to not

a

part of her family. This morning, as I leff, she was so happy, expecting to see me as her daughter-in-law when I returned.

Swallowing the lump in my throat, I carefully called, "Jacqueline..."

"Why? Felicia, tell me," Jacqueline's voice was heavy with emotion.

Images of chaos flashed before my eyes, but in the end, I said, "Jacqueline, please don't be upset. Conrad and I are just not right for each other."

I didn't bring up Conrad's wrongdoings. To me, that was not something to be proud of. I refused to fight over a man with another woman, even though the reality was losing him to a widow.

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"How can you not be right for each other? You two have been together for years, so close and knowing each other inside out. You love Conrad, and Conrad cares for you. How can it suddenly be wrong?" Jacqueline's murmurs of disbelief weighed heavily on me.

I felt a heavy burden in my heart when I heard so. "Jacqueline..."

"I'm going to call Conrad. It must be something he did to hurt you," Jacqueline said before hanging up, leaving me with a bitter taste at her last words about Conrad wronging me.

Fanny held my hand, and I managed a broken smile at her. Looking into Fanny's bright, blue eyes, I saw a reflection of my shattered smile. On the outside, I appeared unscathed and calm, but my eyes betrayed my aching heart.

Jacqueline called again, but I didn't pick up. I knew she would want me to return to the Wagner family. But didn't want to. Going back meant listening to Jacqueline and

Herschel's well-meaning but el.?

ultimately futile attempts to persuade and comfort me.

I'd made up my mind, so there was no point in hearing them out. It would only waste their effort and drain my emotions further.