Three weeks before our wedding, Marie and I had a house full of friends, loud music, and enough food and drinks to keep everyone there until midnight. It was supposed to be a simple Friday night. Nothing special, just friends getting together before the wedding. At the time, I had no idea that night would become the reason there would never be a wedding. Marie was in the kitchen with two of her closest friends, laughing while they prepared drinks.
I was in the living room with three of my friends, arguing over music and pretending I wasn't already tired. Our wedding had been taking up most of our conversations for months. The venue was booked. The invitations had gone out. The photographer had been paid.
Marie had already picked her dress. We had even started arguing about what songs should be played during the reception. Everything felt settled. That night, though, none of us talked much about the wedding. We just enjoyed ourselves.
Around 11, Marie walked into the living room holding a drink. Why are you sitting there like an old man? I looked at her. Because I'm tired, she laughed. You're 32 and I've been working since 7 this morning.
One of my friends laughed. Marie shook her head and sat beside me. You knew we were having people over tonight. I know. And you said you would stay up with us.
I've stayed up. She looked at the clock. It's not even midnight. I smiled. You can stay up.
I have work tomorrow. She leaned closer. What work? I have to finish the proposal for Monday. She knew what I was talking about.
I had been working on a large contract for my business and I needed to spend part of Saturday finishing the numbers. Marie sighed. Maybe we should go to the club later. One of her friends looked over from the kitchen. Absolutely.
I'm not ready to go home yet. The others agreed. Marie looked at me. Come with us. I shook my head.
I've got too much work left. Just for a couple of hours. I can't. She frowned. You're really not coming?
I need to finish the proposal. Her friends came over from the kitchen. Come on, Marie. We're going to the club. Marie looked at me again.
You sure? Go. You're not going to be annoyed? No. Go have fun.
She smiled and kissed me. I won't be late. I believed her. That was the last thing I thought about when I went upstairs around midnight. I changed into sweatpants, opened my laptop, and started working.
About 20 minutes later, I heard the front door close. Marie and the girls were gone. I didn't think anything of it. For the next couple of hours, I worked on the proposal. I checked the numbers, answered a few emails, and eventually finished the most important part.
At around 2:00 in the morning, I checked my phone. Nothing. I sent Maria a simple message asking if they were having fun. she replied several minutes later. Yes, we're having a great time.
Don't wait up. I smiled and put the phone down. That was it. I went back to work. I didn't know that while I was sitting upstairs trusting my fianceé completely, Marie was making a decision that would change both of our lives.
She came home a little after 4:00, I heard the front door open. Then I heard footsteps. I looked at the clock. 4:17. Marie walked upstairs a few minutes later.
She opened the bedroom door slowly. You're still awake? I had work to finish. She stood there for a second. How was the club?
Fun. She smiled. Good. I looked at her. Something about her expression seemed strange, but I didn't question it.