Chapter 1

I proposed to my boyfriend, Marcus, twenty-six times over our seven years together.

The first time, he said he wasn't ready to settle down yet.

The second time, he said he loved the sweet thrill of just dating.

The fifth time, he said the proposal should be the man’s job.

......

On the twenty-sixth time, he finally said yes.

I was over the moon. I spent six months planning our dream wedding, but the date kept getting pushed back over and over again.

Every time, Marcus would wrap his arms around me and pull me close.

"Whether we have that piece of paper or not, I’m already yours, Chloe. A wedding is just a formality."

"My love for you is enough."

Thinking about how incredibly attentive and caring he had been over the last seven years, I convinced myself he just had a fear of commitment. So, I was willing to wait.

Until today, when I was scrolling through Instagram and stumbled upon a trending post: Our First Chat Logs & Wedding Photos.

The user bragged in the comments:

"Only six months of dating, and he already couldn't wait to marry me."

Everyone in the comments section was gushing over their fairytale romance. But I was frozen, staring at the groom in the photos.

Wasn't that my commitment-phobic boyfriend?