It was a picture-perfect day. The kind of day where everything seems brighter, and hope fills the air.
Lucy sat at a cozy café table with her fiancé, Nigel. Sunlight streamed through the windows, glinting off her engagement ring, which she couldn’t help but admire.
“I can’t believe this is real…” she murmured, almost to herself.
Nigel, always attentive, leaned in with a warm smile. “What do you mean?” he asked, his voice filled with affection.
“A few months ago, I was sitting alone, watching a movie and eating ice cream, thinking I’d never find love,” Lucy admitted with a light laugh.
Nigel reached across the table, squeezing her hand. “And now look at us,” he said, smiling. “We’re getting married this weekend. I can’t wait.”
Lucy smiled back, her eyes filled with happiness. “I know, everything’s happening so fast. But I’m so happy,” she said.
Nigel chuckled. “Why delay something when you know it’s meant to be? I love you, Lucy.”
Lucy’s heart swelled. “I love you too,” she whispered. Before she could say more, the voice of the café cashier interrupted.
“Lucy! Your order’s ready!” she called from across the room.
Lucy smiled, excusing herself to pick up her coffee. “I’ll be right back,” she said to Nigel, who smiled and playfully replied, “I’d wait an eternity for you.”
When Lucy approached the counter, the cashier handed her the coffee cup. But Lucy’s joy quickly faded when she noticed the word “Run!” written on the side instead of her name.
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney
Her heart skipped a beat, and an unsettling feeling crept up her spine. The cashier gave her a knowing look, her eyes intense. Lucy’s smile faded, and she hurried back to the table.
“Is everything okay, darling?” Nigel asked with concern when Lucy returned.
Lucy tried to brush it off, her voice shaky. “Yes, everything’s fine. Just a mistake at the counter. Let’s go.”
As they left the café, Lucy couldn’t shake the feeling. She glanced back at the cashier, who stood watching them with an unreadable expression.
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Pexels
That night, sleep eluded Lucy. She kept thinking about the message on her coffee cup and the strange warning. Everything about her relationship with Nigel had seemed perfect—perhaps too perfect. The upcoming wedding, Nigel’s charm, and the whirlwind romance had all felt like a dream. But deep inside, something didn’t sit right.
What was Nigel hiding? Why had he insisted on a small, private wedding with no family or friends?
With her mind racing, Lucy couldn’t resist. She had to know the truth.
Quietly, Lucy slipped out of bed, determined to get to the bottom of the mystery. She made her way to Nigel’s study, where she began searching through his belongings. The room was meticulously organized, but as she dug deeper, she found a bank statement that didn’t belong to him. The name on the document was unfamiliar to Lucy—another woman.
Panic set in. Why would Nigel have a bank statement in someone else’s name?
Suddenly, Lucy heard Nigel’s voice behind her. “Lucy? Why aren’t you asleep?”
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Pexels
She quickly hid the paper, her heart racing. “Oh, I thought I spilled something on your clothes today, so I was just checking on it,” she said, forcing a smile.
Nigel looked puzzled but didn’t press her. “Sweetheart, even if you spilled something, it’s just clothes. Let’s go back to bed. It’s hard to sleep without you.”
Lucy followed him back to their room, still shaken but pretending everything was fine.
The next morning, Lucy knew she couldn’t ignore her doubts any longer. She returned to the café, hoping to find answers. She approached the counter, where the manager was overseeing the staff.
“Excuse me,” Lucy said, her voice steady but anxious. “I’m looking for someone who works here. I think her name is Sam?”
The manager hesitated but eventually nodded. “Yes, she works here. Why do you need to speak with her?”
“I’m just a regular customer,” Lucy explained. “She made me a great coffee yesterday, and we had a quick chat. I wanted to thank her properly today.”
The manager gave a small smile. “Sam’s off today, but I can give you her address if you really want to get in touch.”
Lucy, relieved, accepted the address and headed to Sam’s apartment.
When Lucy arrived, she spotted Sam outside, fumbling with her keys. Without thinking, she rushed over.
“Wait! I need to talk to you!” Lucy called out.
Sam turned, startled. “Who are you?”
“I’m the woman from the café yesterday,” Lucy explained quickly. “You wrote a message on my cup. I need to know what it meant.”
Recognition crossed Sam’s face. “Oh, I remember you,” she said cautiously.
“Why did you write ‘Run’ on my cup?” Lucy asked, her voice trembling.
Sam hesitated before responding. “Exactly what it said. You need to leave that man. Run as fast as you can.”
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Pexels
Lucy’s breath caught in her throat. “Nigel?” she whispered.
Sam nodded. “He goes by several names—Nigel, Kevin, Tony. He’s a con artist. I’ve seen him do this before.”
Lucy was stunned. “What do you mean?”
Sam led Lucy inside, where she explained everything. She told Lucy how Nigel had a pattern of marrying women quickly, taking out loans in their names, and disappearing without a trace. Sam had been one of his victims, and her life had been turned upside down by the lies.
Lucy felt anger, fear, and disbelief all at once. She couldn’t let Nigel get away with this.
The day of Lucy’s wedding arrived. She stood next to Nigel, dressed in her wedding gown, but inside, she was torn. She had come to love the man she thought she was marrying, but now she knew the truth.
When it was Nigel’s turn to speak his vows, his words were smooth and convincing, promising a future full of love and devotion. But as he spoke, Lucy’s thoughts were elsewhere.
When it was her turn, she took a deep breath and smiled. “Before I say my vows, I have something special for you,” she said, her voice steady.
The lights dimmed, and a projector flickered to life. At first, the images on the screen were of happy moments they had shared. But soon, the photos changed to reveal Nigel with different women at various weddings.
Nigel’s face drained of color. “Where did you get these?!” he demanded, his composure slipping.
A voice called out from the back. “Sam,” she said firmly, stepping forward. “Don’t believe him.”
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Pexels
The room fell silent, and the truth came out. Nigel’s deceit was exposed, and the police were called in. As he was led away, Lucy felt a wave of relief wash over her.
