I never believed in fate; life felt like a series of random events. But everything changed when I realized I was the reason Linda’s father was dead.

I’m thirty, engaged to Linda, the love of my life. We met two years ago in New York City, and as we planned our wedding, I had no idea my past would catch up with me.

Linda was close to her mother, Veronica. They talked daily, and I knew about Linda’s father, Leonard, who died in a car accident when she was ten. It was a subject Linda rarely discussed, so I didn’t push.

A few months before our wedding, we visited her childhood home in Phoenix. Linda wanted to ask her mother for a special wedding veil. Excited to meet Veronica again, we drove through the sweltering Phoenix heat.

Upon arrival, Veronica welcomed us warmly. After dinner, we laughed and looked through old photo albums. When I turned a page, I froze, staring at a picture of Linda with her father. My heart sank as I recognized his face.

A couple sitting together and holding hands | Source: Getty Images

Without thinking, I blurted, “I’m so sorry to say this, but I’m the reason your father is dead. Linda, I killed him.”

Linda’s laughter died, replaced by disbelief. “What do you mean, Cole?”

I swallowed hard. “Do you remember I told you my family lived in Phoenix for a year when I was ten? One afternoon, while riding my bike, I swerved into the wrong lane. A car swerved to avoid hitting me and crashed into a tree. I watched it happen and later saw the article in the newspaper. It was your father. He died while saving me.”

Veronica gasped, covering her mouth in shock. “I didn’t know,” I whispered. “I didn’t know he was your dad.”

The weight of the truth pressed down on me. “I understand if you want to call off the wedding,” I said. “What I did… it’s unforgivable.”

Linda stared at me, her expression unreadable. Then she took my hand. “I think it’s fate that we met, Cole. You were a child; you didn’t know. I can’t blame you or my father. He did what any father would do. I forgive you.”

Her words hit me like a wave. I stood, needing air, and Linda embraced me tightly. Veronica joined us in a group hug, and in that moment, I felt a flicker of hope.

A week later, as I wrote my vows, I reflected on what had happened. I still felt guilt, but Linda reassured me. “You’re my favorite person in the world. Nothing will change that.”

Now, the evening before the wedding, I sat on the edge of the bed, tie undone, staring at the floor. I broke the silence. “Linda, I keep thinking about tomorrow. Your dad should be walking you down the aisle, and… I’m the reason he won’t.”

She sat beside me. “Darling, you didn’t take my father away. He saved you. He would have protected any child that day.”

“But it should have been him walking with you tomorrow,” I said, voice tight.

“I’ve come to terms with my dad being gone,” she replied. “He’s a part of our story now, Cole. Because of what he did for you, we found each other.”

“You deserve everything good in this world,” I said.

“I know,” she smiled. “I’ve already got it. My dad would have liked you, probably given you a hard time, though.”

“Yeah, I think he would have,” I agreed.

“Come on, we’re getting married tomorrow. My dad will be watching. We’re going to be okay. More than okay.”

Tomorrow, I’ll stand at the altar waiting for her.