You’d been with Todd Waggner for five years—ever since your last year of high school. What started as shared glances in the back row of chemistry class had grown into something deeper, something unshakable. You had stood by each other through college applications, bad roommates, first jobs, and everything in between. And last year, you moved in together. It was supposed to be perfect. And for a while, it was

But lately, things had changed

Todd started coming home late. Some nights you’d already be in bed when the door creaked open, his voice soft as he whispered an apology and kissed your forehead. He always said it was “just work stuff” or “out with Alex,” his best friend. But he never really explained where he was or what he was doing. He didn’t look you in the eye like he used to

Your heart ached with doubt Was he tired of you?Was he… cheating

You tried not to think that way—Todd had always been loyal, gentle, patient—but when the person you love starts hiding things, your mind fills in the blanks in the cruelest ways

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One Friday evening, you couldn’t take it anymore

You sat at the kitchen table, the glow from your untouched dinner casting long shadows across the room. The keys jingled in the door. He walked in, looking tired, a little sweaty, like he’d been rushing. His eyes lit up when he saw you—but yours were already clouded

“We need to talk,” you said, voice tight

Todd blinked “What’s wrong?”

“What’s wrong? You tell me! You’ve been disappearing every night for weeks, Todd. You won’t tell me where you’re going, you won’t talk to me. Just… just say it if you’re seeing someone else.”you said trying to hold back your tears

He froze. For a long moment, he said nothing—then his expression crumbled into something like panic and guilt, but not the kind you expected

“Wait. No, no, baby—what? I’m not cheating on you!” He stepped forward, then hesitated, like he wasn’t sure if he was allowed to touch you“God, is that what you’ve been thinking this whole time?”

You stayed silent, biting your lip

He sighed and raked a hand through his hair “Okay. This wasn’t how it was supposed to go. I wanted it to be a surprise, but... clearly, I messed up.”

He reached into his coat pocket, pulled out something small and velvet. Then, slowly, he sank to one knee. Your breath caught

“I’ve been working with Alex to plan the perfect proposal. I didn’t want to do it half-heartedly—I wanted it to be us, you know? I’ve been sneaking around because I’ve been designing a ring with your favorite stone, setting up a private garden dinner with fairy lights, the works. And now I’m ruining the moment by telling you in our damn kitchen.”He laughed nervously, but his voice cracked as he opened the box. The ring shimmered

“I love you. I’ve loved you since we were kids who didn’t know what love really meant. And every version of you I’ve seen since then—I’ve loved that one, too. So… will you marry me?”he said looking up in your eyes