Mike, meanwhile, rented a modest one-bedroom apartment in a noisy suburb. He often complained about the long commute to the dealership and the neighbors who seemed to enjoy midnight construction projects. Laura visited him a few times.
His place was functional and clean: a standard sofa, a dining set, and a large TV—the typical bachelor pad. They spent evenings cooking together and watching Netflix, while Mike shared updates from the dealership. According to him, selling luxury SUVs brought in solid commissions, even if it didn’t make him a millionaire.
Laura liked the balance; he was hardworking and stable, but not flashy. His mother first came up in conversation in mid-January. They were having dinner at his place when Mike’s phone rang.
The conversation was brief. Mike gave short, one-word answers and promised to “take care of it.” When he hung up, he looked preoccupied. He explained it was his mother, Eleanor, who lived alone in an older part of town and occasionally needed help with household chores.
Trying to keep the conversation going, Laura asked if he had siblings. Mike said he was an only child and that his father had passed away years ago, leaving Eleanor quite lonely. After that, he went back to his phone, and the topic of family dropped.
Laura didn’t push it, respecting his privacy. However, she noticed that after talking to his mother, Mike often became a bit distant, as if he were carrying a weight he couldn’t quite describe. Usually, though, the mood passed quickly.
By February, their relationship felt permanent. Mike started talking about the future—how much he looked forward to waking up next to her every day. Laura realized she was ready for that next step.
At thirty-two, she wanted a partner, a home, and eventually, a family. The “biological clock” her mother mentioned on every phone call was starting to sound more like a plan than a warning. In late winter, Mike finally brought up the idea of marriage.
They were walking through a park as the first signs of spring began to peek through the melting snow. He stopped by a stone bridge, took her hands, and told her he wanted their relationship to be official. He said he wanted to move past “dating” and build something real.
Laura smiled and told him she was on the same page. Mike looked genuinely relieved and hugged her so tightly she felt like she was in a scene from a movie. In that moment, she felt that her years of focusing on her career had finally paid off with the right partner.
The formal proposal came in early spring. Mike took her to a rooftop restaurant with a view of the skyline, presented a classic diamond solitaire, and gave a moving speech about his commitment. The ring was elegant and understated, much like Mike himself.
Laura looked at him—a loyal, hardworking man with no red flags. For a woman in her thirties, he felt like a winning lottery ticket. She said yes without hesitation.
The following month was a whirlwind of wedding planning. Mike suggested a small, intimate ceremony for about thirty close friends and family at a nice local venue. Laura agreed; she had no desire for a massive, over-the-top production.
They set a date for early June. During this time, Mike occasionally asked where they would live after the wedding. Laura always said her condo was more than enough space for the two of them.
Mike would agree, but he seemed to avoid getting into the specifics of the move. Laura figured he was just feeling a bit of “groom’s pride” about moving into her place. But one evening in March, the conversation took a sharp turn.
While Mike was making coffee, Laura was browsing a magazine on his sofa. He sat down next to her and casually asked for the exact address of her condo. Thinking nothing of it, Laura told him the street and the building number.
When he realized it was a 2,000-square-foot unit in a prime zip code, Mike whistled. He seemed genuinely impressed by the inheritance. Laura confirmed she had lived there for over a decade, ever since her grandmother passed away.
After a short silence, Mike cautiously asked about the floor plan. He claimed he needed to know how their furniture would fit. Laura described the large living area, the two guest rooms, and the master suite…
