Here’s the Truth About Your Fiancée, Son,” Said the Father Coldly, Handing Him a USB Drive

“Heres the truth about your fiancée,” his father said flatly, tossing a flash drive onto the table.

Josh kept glancing at his watch. Hed booked a table at The White RoseLondons most exclusive restaurantand Lily was already ten minutes late, which never failed to sour his mood. Punctuality was one of the few things he demanded from people.

Sighing, he flipped through the menu again, though he already knew what hed order. Exhaustion and the recent conversation with his father had left his thoughts tangled. Just as he reached for his phone, the restaurant door swung open.

“Darling! Sorry Im late!” Lily breezed in like a whirlwind in a pale blue dress that clung to her slender frame. She leaned down and planted a light kiss on his lips. She smelled like spring flowers and something comforting, and just like that, his irritation vanished.

“You know how much I hate waiting,” he attempted a stern look, but his lips betrayed him with a smile. He could never stay mad at her.

“But I,” she shot him a playful glance, “love knowing such a handsome man is waiting for me. Traffic was awfulsome little old lady took forever to cross the road. Nearly drove me mad!”

Josh chuckled. “Let me guess, you spent half an hour doing your makeup.”

“Excuse you!” She feigned outrage. “Twenty-five minutes, max.”

He couldnt tear his eyes away. Her chestnut hair cascaded in soft waves, her blue eyes sparkled, and those dimples made her smile utterly irresistible. Every time he looked at her, he still couldnt believe his luck. Two years since theyd met, eighteen months together, a year engaged. And now

“To us?” He raised his champagne flute.

“To us,” she smiled, but something flickered in her eyes that made his stomach twist.

They ordered and chatted easily about their daysLily animatedly recounting her work at the clinic, the funny mishap with a little patient, how the head doctor kept calling her their “golden nurse.”

“Any updates at work? Hows the project with your dad?” she asked, spearing a bite of salmon.

“Fine,” Josh shrugged. “On track, but deadlines are tight as usual.”

She nodded, then casually dropped, “Speaking of deadlines when are we finally setting a wedding date?”

Josh froze. Here we go again.

“Lil, we talked about this. After Dads project wraps”

“Yes, yes, I remember,” she waved impatiently. “But its been six months! Josh, I dont want to wait anymore. Weve been engaged a year. Whats the hold-up?”

“Im not stalling. Its just not the right time.”

“And when will it be? When Im fifty? I want to be your wife, not your fiancée!”

“Lily, Im swamped”

“Oh, come on! Like youd even have to lift a finger for the weddingjust show up on the day!”

“Its not about that,” Josh snapped. “I want everything perfect.”

“So do I!” she fired back. “And you know whats perfect? A destination wedding! We talked about this. Ive even looked at brochuresMaldives, Bali, Seychelles, take your pick! They handle everything, we just turn up.”

“Not this again! Is it the glitz youre after? Or just bragging rights?”

Lily shoved her plate away. “So thats what you think? That Im only with you for money? That I just want some lavish wedding?”

“Isnt that it?” The words slipped out before he could stop them. “All you talk about is the wedding, the trips, the places you want to visit. Never once do you say you just want to be with me!”

“Youre impossible!” Tears welled in her eyes. “I just want to marry you! And you keep making excuses! If you dont want to, just say so!”

“Im not making excuses!” His voice rose, drawing stares. “Why do you keep pushing me?”

“Because I love you, you idiot! But you dont get itor maybe you just dont care!”

Josh stood abruptly, slapping a few large notes on the table. “You know what? Im not doing this here. Call me when youve calmed down.”

He stormed out, ignoring the waiters confused look and Lilys stifled sobs behind him.

***

Josh sped through London, well over the limit. His brand-new Jaguar hugged the curves as he cranked the music, trying to drown his thoughtsbut it didnt help.

Why had things gotten so complicated? When theyd first met, it had been effortless.

Hed walked into his fathers clinic for some paperwork. Sir Richard Harringtonone of the countrys top cardiologists and owner of a private healthcare empirenever mixed family and business. “Keep it in the family,” he always said.

Josh, the only son and heir, had grown up under scrutinyschool, university, work. Everyone treated him differently. By twenty-five, he was exhausted by women who only saw his wallet. Models, executives, socialitesall wearing the same calculated smiles.

Then he met Lily.

That day, shed been at reception, filling out forms. Simple white nurses uniform, hair in a neat ponytailnothing flashy. When she looked up and smiled, something inside him shifted. No pretensejust warmth and this inexplicable light.

He found an excuse to talk to her, then coffee, then dinner

Lily was unlike anyone hed ever known. Grew up working-class, had part-time jobs since sixteen, paid her own way through uni. He loved everything about herher genuine humor, her lack of pretence. Nothing like the women in his world.

His mother, Margaret, adored her instantly. “Shes real, darling. Hold onto her.” Shed called Lily “my girl” from day one.

But his father Sir Richard never spoke against her. In fact, he praised her as a nurse. Yet every time Josh mentioned their future, something shifted in his fathers expression.

“Shes a lovely girl, Josh but not for you.” That phrase had stuck, seeding doubt.

Maybe his father saw something he didnt? Maybe Lily wasnt differentjust better at hiding it?

Thoughts like these flared during fights like tonights. Her insistence on the wedding, the fantasy ceremonyit reminded him of his exes. All theyd wanted was status, luxury, a trophy marriage.

“Damn it!” He slammed the wheel at a red light.

He loved her, no question. But tonight, for the first time, he considered breaking up. No matter how much his heart ached for her, he wouldnt be usednot even by her.

***

Josh got home past midnight. Finding the living room lights on, he blinked at the sight of his father sipping whiskey, staring at the telly.

“Youre up?” Josh slumped into the opposite chair.

Sir Richard studied him. “Waiting. Your mother called Lilywanted to invite you both for Sunday. She was in tears. What happened?”

“Nothing. Just a row.”

“Over what?”

“Dad, not now.” Josh rubbed his temples. “Im shattered.”

His father didnt reply, just poured another whiskey and pushed it over.

Josh took a grateful sip, the burn dulling the tension.

“Your mother my parents didnt approve when we met,” Sir Richard said suddenly.

“Really? You never mentioned.”

“People dont like revisiting mistakes.” His father smirked. “They thought she was too ordinary. A nurse from Yorkshire wasnt fit for a Harley Street cardiologist.”

“Whatd you do?”

“Ignored them. Best decision of my life.”

Silence settled. Josh knew this wasnt just small talk.

“Did you and Lily argue about the wedding?” his father asked bluntly.

Josh exhaled. “She kept pushing. Why Im stalling, when well set a date. That island wedding obsessionlike she just wants a show.”

“And youre sure thats all it is?”

“No,” Josh admitted. “But sometimes You always get weird when I talk about marrying her. Like youre hiding something.”

Sir Richard held his gaze, weighing something. Then he stood abruptly. “Wait here.”

He returned minutes later, handing Josh a flash drive. “Heres the truth about your fiancée.”

Josh stared at it. “What is this? Did you have her followed?”

“No.” His father sat back down. “Just look. And Im sorry I didnt tell you sooner.”

Hands shaking, Josh plugged it into his laptop. Medical files filled the screenECGs, test results, specialist notes.

“What is this Lilys?” His voice cracked on the final diagnosis.

Congenital heart defect. Severe. Progressive deterioration. Surgery required.

Sir Richard nodded. “Shes been my patient five years. Thats why she joined the clinicto stay monitored