The Night before Our Wedding, My Fiancé Sent Me a Bouquet with a Note That Said ‘I Don’t’

Mark sent me a huge bouquet of roses the night before I got married. It sounds lovely, doesn’t it? However, the note that was attached to them wasn’t what I had anticipated.

For the past six years, Mark has been my entire universe; I am thirty-five. We eventually developed the kind of relationship I thought people only read about after we met through common acquaintances, fell in love, and married. Though he wasn’t the world’s most romantic man, he was dependable and solid.

After more than a year of preparing, everything was coming together beautifully for our wedding. That is, I believed.

That evening, my bridesmaids and I were at the hotel finishing out the final wedding preparations. You know the routine—laughing, drinking wine, and, for the hundredth time, examining the seating arrangement. There was genuine excitement. Then, at precisely ten o’clock at night, someone knocked on the door.

It was a member of the hotel staff with a rose bouquet. Fresh, fragrant, and red. I couldn’t resist grinning. Mark.

My maid of honor Kelly mocked them, “Looks like someone’s feeling romantic,” as she pulled open the door a little more to let them in.

“But he’s not even supposed to be contacting me tonight,” I chuckled. “Not seeing each other before the wedding” was something we used to do.

He did really violate the regulations. Adorable, nevertheless,” one of my bridesmaids added, glancing at the bouquet.

I gave myself a small smile. Perhaps Mark was just feeling sad and sensitive because he wasn’t the one to make grand romantic gestures. Anticipating a message along the lines of “I can’t wait to marry you” or “Tomorrow’s going to be perfect,” I reached for the note.

It didn’t state that, though.

It only stated, “I don’t.”

My throat tightened around my breath. I turned the card over, staring at the words as though there had to be more to it, a deeper meaning. A portion of my mind continued to believe it was a joke. A horrible, nasty practical hoax.

When Kelly observed my expression, she grabbed the card from me. She raised her voice and exclaimed, “What the hell does this mean?” “I’m not sure? Is he serious?

I remained silent. With numbness, I watched helplessly as panic crept up my back.

“I need to call him,” I said, reaching for my phone as soon as possible. I gave him one call. Not a response. Two times. Nothing. I was sent directly to voicemail the third time.

My heart was pounding now. I was motionless, but Kelly was pacing too, shouting under her breath. What on earth was happening? Half a decade. Not a hint of cold feet. We were content. We were alright. I sent him a text. Not a reply. That’s when it dawned on me: this wasn’t an error.

I started to unravel by midnight. Trying to soothe me, my bridesmaids suggested things like “Maybe it’s a misunderstanding” and “What if it’s some sick prank?”

Come on, though—who would do such a thing the night before my wedding? At last, I lost my patience. I required clarification.

I declared, pulling on jeans and a hoodie as though I were getting ready for combat. “I’m going to his place,”

Kelly shook her head and reached for her purse. You won’t travel by yourself. Come on, let’s go.”

It seemed like it took hours to go to Mark’s flat by car. All the worst-case scenarios were racing through my head: what if he was canceling the wedding? Kelly kept staring over at me, as if she thought I would collapse at any moment.

She questioned, her voice quiet yet strained, “You okay?”

“I simply… Kel, I’m not sure. How about if…” I bit my lip rapidly and my voice cracked.

“It’s not even how you think,” she cut him off. We’re going to investigate this thoroughly. Perhaps there’s just a simple mistake.”

I did not believe it, but I nodded. Not really.

Mark’s car was parked outside his apartment when we arrived. Dread blended with relief. He was at his house. He was going to have to have this chat.

I pounded on his door with all my strength as we approached it. The door finally creaked open after what seemed like an age, and there he was, Mark, appearing dazed and disoriented. He wasn’t alone, though. Eric, his brother, was standing behind him and scowling.

“Carly?” Mark gave me a look as though I had just barged into someone’s home. “Why are you in this place? The night is not over yet.”

At first, I kept silent. I merely pushed the message into his face. “What. Is. This?” My hands were shaking, and my voice was shaky.

With a flash, Mark grabbed the note out of my palm. His brows furrowed as he rapidly skimmed over it. “Hold on, what? I’m not…” He looked up at me, as if he was lost. “Carly, I didn’t send this. I promise I have no idea what this is.”

Eric moved nearer, his gaze shifting from me to Mark. “Remain still. What is happening? Why are there flowers?

Before I could say anything, Kelly interrupted. “She received a bouquet and a message saying, ‘I don’t,’ from someone. the evening before your nuptials. Is this some sort of sick joke?”

Mark gave a wide-eyed shake of his head. “I did not send a bouquet. I swear on my life, Carly, I have no idea where this came from.”

I fixed my gaze on him, attempting to read his expression for any sign of guilt. But uncertainty was all I could see. My thoughts were racing. “Mark, did someone else send it? Who would do such an action?”

Eric crossed his arms and moaned. “Take a look, perhaps someone is playing pranks on you guys. I mean, when weddings are involved, people do dumb things. Perhaps a practical joke.”

Kelly laughed hysterically. A practical joke? Eric, this isn’t high school. This is her nuptials!”

I interrupted her. “Mark, are you implying that you had no involvement in this? Because these flowers and this note are playing tricks on my mind. I’ve spent hours attempting to contact you.”

He said, “I was asleep,” while glancing at his phone. “I was blind to your calls. I would never harm you in this way, Carly. You must have faith in me.

Kelly touched my shoulder with a hand. Alright, let’s head back to the motel. This will be resolved in the morning.”

After my bridesmaids left for breakfast the following morning, I remained in the hotel room to complete my preparations. I needed some alone time to gather my thoughts. It was only a few hours till the wedding. The door was then knocked on.

I yelled, “Come in!” thinking it was one of the females, but Eric was there when the door opened.

“Eric? Why are you in this place?”

Shutting the door, he thrust his hands into his pockets. Quietly, he said, “Carly, I need to tell you something.”

His tone unnerved me in some way. “What is it?”

He looked away from me, his eyes straying to the ground. “I sent the flowers.”

I just looked at him for a moment, trying to take in what he had said. “You know what? Why would you do that, Eric?” I spoke louder than I meant to, my voice full of skepticism.

With a groan, he leaned against the doorframe, seemingly unable to muster the strength to rise upright. “Because I’m in love with you, Carly. You have my undying affection for years.”

My heart was racing in my chest as I froze. It was a joke. That was necessary.

“I figured maybe you would finally recognize that Mark wasn’t the proper person for you if you could see it. Acknowledge that it’s me who…”

He paused, massaging the nape of his neck as though he regretted every word he had uttered. “I know this sounds crazy, but I couldn’t just keep pretending anymore.”

It was as if I had taken a hit. Hard. “You’re going to be my brother-in-law, Eric. The brother of Mark. Are you even aware of the words you’re using?

“I am aware, I am aware. However, I had to give it a shot. I considered. His tone became strained. “I thought if I said nothing, I’d regret it for the rest of my life.”

I stood there, trying to take in the degree of betrayal, and my hands shook. You wrote that note to me the evening before my wedding, right? You believed that by spoiling the most important day of my life, you would win my favor in some way?”

His expression darkened, and he appeared more in need than I had ever seen. Don’t tell Mark, please. I am aware that it was incorrect. I wish not to spoil your day. I simply lost the ability to suppress it.”

My mind racing, I fixed my gaze on him. How could I keep that from Mark? How was I going to act like this never happened?

With a frigid tone, I responded, “Eric, you need to leave.” “Now.”

He paused, nodded, and walked away without saying anything else. The tension in the room persisted even after the door shut behind him.

I was in a trance for the next hour, trying to think of what to do. But I realized there was no way I could keep this from Mark.

I inhaled deeply and drew Mark aside when he came to get me for the ceremony. “Mark, we need to talk.”

His expression was filled with apprehension as he scowled. “What’s wrong?”

With a forceful gulp, I forced myself to speak. “The person who sent the flowers last night is Eric. He confessed his love for me to me this morning. He has loved me for a long time.”

Mark seemed to be unaffected by the statements for a little moment. His face contorted with rage then. His eyes darkened, he virtually yelled, “Eric did what?” “He said that to you?”

My gut churned as I nodded. “I couldn’t keep that from you, even if he instructed me not to tell you. Not right now.”

Without saying anything further, Mark bounded from the hotel and made his way directly to the location. With my heart pounding, I trailed behind him. When we got there, Eric was already standing awkwardly by the door.

Mark made no hesitation. With a quiet yet menacing voice, he approached him directly. “This is not the place for you. You’re not attending this wedding, and I’ll permanently cut you out of my life if you try anything similar in the future. Can you hear me?

Pale and flustered, Eric attempted to clarify. “Mark, that was an error. I didn’t mean to do that.

“No,” Mark abruptly interrupted, his tone harsh. “You went too far. Now exit.”

Eric’s gaze flitted between us, but it was too late. And with that, he was gone. He turned and left.

That day, Mark and I were married in spite of everything, and it was lovely. However, there were times during the vows when I was reminded of how close I was to losing everything.

Mark drew me in after the ceremony, his voice firm and gentle.

He said, “We made it through this,” and met my eyes. “And nothing… no one… is going to come between us again.”