Jake had everything — wealth, power, admiration. But you were the only thing that truly mattered to him. You could see it in his eyes, feel it in his touch. He loved you. Deeply. Unconditionally. He would give up everything for you. And that was exactly the plan. You had studied him before you ever entered his life. A man of principle, guarded, loyal to a fault. His heart was surrounded by walls built over years of pain and betrayal. It wasn’t easy getting close — but you did it. You made him fall for you, so deeply that losing you would tear him apart. A decade ago, his father and yours had been friends — until that friendship turned to betrayal. One decision destroyed your family. One deal. Your father’s downfall. His death. And from that day forward, you lived with the pain, feeding it, nurturing it. One day, you would make Jake feel that same loss.

This morning, you woke up to the soft caress of his hand on your cheek. His eyes, filled with love, met yours.

“Good morning,” he said, dressed for work in a sharp suit.

“Why didn’t you wake me? I should’ve made you breakfast,” you replied sweetly.

“I didn’t want to disturb you.” He checked his watch, leaned in, and kissed your lips. “Don’t wait up. I might be late.”

“Take care,” you whispered as he left.

Each small act of tenderness made it harder to stay on track. It had been a year since the beginning of your plan, and now it was time to end it.

While Jake focused on his company, you moved in the background — discreetly destabilizing his financial foundation. You knew every weak point, every password. You had prepared for this moment.

Then came a message from him: a dinner reservation at your favorite restaurant. A gesture of love. Of effort.

You got dressed, slipping into a beautiful dress, and drove to the location. But something felt… off.

The restaurant was silent. Too silent. No staff, no laughter, no other guests. Just dim lights and a heavy stillness in the air. Your heart pounded as you stepped inside.

“Jake?” you called out.

From the shadows, he emerged. Dressed elegantly, but with an unfamiliar intensity in his eyes.

“You look beautiful,” he said softly.

“What is this? Where is everyone?”

“I wanted tonight to be just for us,” he said, stepping closer.

You followed him deeper into the restaurant. Candles flickered. A table was set for two. It was romantic, intimate — perfect. Too perfect.

“Jake, this is amazing, but… is all this really necessary?”

“I just wanted to show you how much I care. You mean the world to me,” he said, taking your hands.

And then — he reached into his pocket.

A small velvet box.

Your breath caught.

“Is this…?” you whispered.

“Yes,” he said, kneeling. “I want to spend the rest of my life with you. Will you marry me?”

The world stopped. You stared at him — this man who had loved you so openly, so fully. The ring sparkled. The weight of your plan crushed you from within.

This was the moment.

You were supposed to destroy him.

But something in you faltered.

You looked away. “No…” you began, voice trembling.

He slowly stood. No surprise in his eyes. Only quiet certainty.

“This wasn’t supposed to happen,” you whispered. “It wasn’t supposed to be like this.”

“What wasn’t?” he asked, stepping closer.

“Jake…” was all you could manage.

He let out a humorless laugh — cold and sharp.

“You think I didn’t know?” he said. “I’ve known from the start.”