“Lucy, tell me everything,” my sister Mia said when I showed up at her house looking for a shoulder to cry on.

“Make me some tea and cookies, and I’ll tell you everything,” I replied.

It all started with a chance encounter. My car broke down one day, and a man in a fancy suit named Alex pulled over to help. We quickly fell in love, and after six months, he proposed. My family was skeptical about our whirlwind romance, but I was thrilled.

Despite his charm and wealth, Alex always kept his work life a secret. “It’s finance,” he’d say, but refused to share more. I didn’t mind—his mystery added to the allure.

One afternoon, my tire blew out, and I found an auto repair shop nearby. As I waited, I noticed a mechanic who looked just like Alex.

“Hi, I’m David, Alex’s estranged twin brother,” he said, confusing me. Alex had never mentioned a brother. As David worked on my car, I texted Alex: “You won’t believe this guy looks just like you!”

His immediate reply was alarming: “Stay away from him!”

Later, I confronted Alex about David. His reaction was intense. “David is trouble. Forget him,” he insisted. I tried to trust him but couldn’t shake my curiosity.

That evening, I received a call from someone claiming to work with David. “There is no David,” he said. “That’s your fiancé, Alex. He’s pretending to be rich to marry you.”

My heart sank. I felt betrayed and blind to the deception. I decided to confront Alex.

When I laid out what I’d learned, he initially denied it. But when I mentioned the call, his facade crumbled. “There is no twin brother,” he admitted.

“Why lie?” I demanded, anger boiling within me.

“I wanted you to be proud of me,” he said, eyes downcast. “I thought if I seemed successful, you’d give me a chance.”

His words left me conflicted, but I couldn’t ignore the betrayal. I couldn’t marry someone who had built our relationship on lies.

“I can’t do this,” I said, voice shaking. “This is over.” I removed the engagement ring and placed it on the table.

“Oh, Lu,” Mia said later when I shared everything. “I’m so sorry you had to go through this.”

I smiled through my tears. “At least you know how it feels.”

“Trust me, we’ll find the good ones soon,” she reassured me.

I nodded, leaning back against the couch, hopeful for a brighter future.

What would you have done?