The moment I opened Mom’s letter, I felt a familiar wave of dread wash over me. The whole family was gathering for Christmas, including my sister Megan and her new boyfriend. Perfect Megan, with her perfect life.

I could already picture her—radiant, accomplished, with some dazzling guy by her side while I just sat there, blending into the background as usual.

An idea hit me out of nowhere.

What if I show up with a fiancé of my own?

I looked around the office, and my gaze landed on Zach by the printer. He was organizing files. Reliable, responsible, and… not exactly “Prince Charming,” but he could work. And more importantly, he worked for me.

“Hey, Zach,” I called, strolling over casually.

“Yes, Claire?”

“Would you be interested in a, um, side project over the holidays?”

He raised an eyebrow. “A side project?”

“Yes, but more… personal,” I said, glancing around to make sure no one else was listening. “It’s a quick thing with my family. I need someone to play a role.”

“A role? What kind of role?”

“My fiancé,” I replied, letting the word drop with a casual shrug.

“Your… fiancé?” He looked like he’d misheard me.

“Yes, just for Christmas. It’d be helping me out. My family is a little… competitive about relationships.”

“I don’t know, Claire… that seems… unusual.”

I leaned in, lowering my voice. “Think of it as an opportunity, Zach. It could be good for your career. You know, help things along.”

His eyes widened. “Oh, God, Claire. If it’s just for the holiday…”

“Yes!” I clasped my hands together a bit too eagerly. “Just one holiday.”

“Fine. I’ll do it. But only this once.”

“Perfect,” I said, unable to hide my excitement. “All you need to do is show up, look convincing, and smile.”

***

As Zach and I walked up the long, winding path to my mom’s grand house, I clung tighter to his arm. Inside, the atmosphere was warm and inviting, yet my heart sank when I spotted Megan.

She sat on the plush couch next to her boyfriend, Jason, laughing like she didn’t have a care in the world. Her hair was perfectly styled, her smile dazzling. She looked up, eyes glinting when she saw us.

“Well, well. Claire! And… who’s this handsome man?” Her eyes swept over Zach with suspicion.

“This is Zach,” I said. “My boyfriend.”

“Boyfriend, huh? Oh my, Claire, where did you find someone so… perfect?” She let the word linger, clearly enjoying the hint of doubt in her voice.

“Work. We met at work. He’s great, actually.”

Zach nodded, giving Megan a polite smile. “Nice to meet you, Megan.”

Megan’s gaze lingered on us for a moment longer before she returned to Jason, whispering something in his ear that made him chuckle.

My cheeks burned. I could tell she wasn’t buying our act for a second.

Later, while Zach was chatting with my dad, I overheard Megan and Jason talking in the hallway. I stopped, straining to listen.

“Can you believe it?” Megan was saying with a laugh. “Mom said she’d leave her inheritance to the first one of us who got married! Guess that means Claire and her ‘boyfriend’ are in a bit of a rush.”

Jason laughed softly. “You don’t think she’d actually…”

“Oh, she’ll try, alright,” Megan replied. “But it’s Claire. She always falls short.”

So, Mom is turning our lives into some twisted race to the altar? Fine. If marriage is what Mom wants, then I’m ready to give her exactly that.

Later that evening, I dragged Zach to a small shop nearby and picked out the cheapest engagement ring I could find.

Holding it up, I said, “Tomorrow, at dinner, you’ll propose.”

Zach’s eyes went wide. “Claire, are you serious?”

“Yes. It has to be done. You’ll understand soon.”

***

The Christmas dinner table was set to perfection. Crystal glasses sparkled under the warm lights, and holiday decorations framed every inch of the room. I glanced at Zach, who caught my gaze and gave me a small, frightened smile.

Then came the moment we’d practiced for, rehearsed like actors preparing for the role of a lifetime. I could only hope he’d remember his lines.

“Everyone,” Zach said, clearing his throat as he stood up, his face pale but resolute. “I have something important to say.”

The room fell silent. My mother’s eyes lit up, practically sparkling. Megan raised an eyebrow, barely able to contain her smirk, and I could see Jason nudging her with an amused grin.

“Claire,” Zach began, turning toward me.

I watched as he slipped his hand into his pocket, fingers grazing the cheap ring that we’d picked out together in that cramped jewelry store. My heart pounded so loudly that I was sure everyone could hear it.

“I never thought,” he began, glancing around the table, “that I’d find someone like Claire. She’s… well, she’s one of the most passionate people I know.”

He paused, and I saw something flicker in his eyes—maybe nerves or maybe something else.

My mother clasped her hands with excitement. Megan smirked, folding her arms, clearly enjoying the performance. I forced myself to breathe, gripping my napkin so tightly my knuckles turned white.

Zach continued, “She pushes me to be better every day. And I realized… well, I realized that I couldn’t imagine my life without her.”

His voice softened, almost genuine, and for a moment, I felt the room fade as he looked at me. I nearly forgot we were pretending. Nearly.

“Will you marry me?”

“Yes!” I clapped my hands together, throwing on the biggest smile I could muster. “Oh, I… I can’t believe it!” I gushed, practically shoving my hand out so he could slide the ring onto my trembling finger.

As he slipped the ring on, I was praying no one noticed the rush of desperation beneath it all.

“Oh, Claire, sweetheart!” Mom cried, practically bouncing in her seat. “This is just… wonderful! I’m so happy for you both!”

As I tried to force a laugh, I could feel Megan’s eyes boring into me. But I was determined to play this role to the end, whatever it took.

“Oh, Claire, darling,” Mom continued. “You know, I’ve been saving something very special for this day.”

She hurried out of the room, her heels clicking with excitement. A few minutes later, she returned, carrying a box wrapped in delicate silk.

“This was my wedding dress,” she said, her eyes misty with nostalgia as she opened the box. “I saved it, hoping one day I could give it to one of my daughters. And now… it’s yours.”

Mom’s joy radiated through the room, Zach’s quiet resignation hung heavy beside me, and Megan’s smirk felt like a spotlight on my guilt. It was all too much.

“Oh, Mom, I… I don’t know what to say. This is… so generous.”

“Well, I’ve been dreaming about this for so long,” Mom said. “And, as luck would have it, I spoke to Father Daniel last week—just in case! He’s free tomorrow, and I thought, why wait? It’s Christmas, the perfect time for a wedding.”

“Tomorrow?” I repeated weakly.

Mom clapped her hands, completely oblivious to my unease. “Yes! Everything’s already falling into place. Oh, Claire, I’m so excited! You’ll wear my dress, and we’ll make it a day to remember.”

Beside me, I felt Zach go rigid. Meanwhile, Megan’s smirk widened as she leaned back in her chair, clearly savoring every second of my discomfort.

What have I done?

***

The next day, just before I slipped into the wedding dress, Megan sidled up to me. She leaned in, her voice low and mocking.

“You know, I made up that whole inheritance story, right? Just to see what you’d do.”

“What?” I whispered, barely able to believe it.

“I knew you’d overhear. I just didn’t think you’d actually fall for it this hard.”

My face burned with anger and embarrassment. Megan tricked me, and I walked right into it. I was left with a choice: go through with that charade or run out and face the humiliation.

As I stepped up to the altar, dressed in my mother’s gown, the weight of it all hit me. The cheap ring on my finger felt heavy, like a reminder of every lie I’d told.

I looked over at Zach, who stood beside me, clearly trying to hold it together for my sake.

But is this how I want to spend this day for the sake of a ridiculous rivalry?

In that final second, something in me snapped. I couldn’t do it. I pulled up my dress and bolted down the aisle. I didn’t look back, didn’t stop to hear Megan’s laughter or… see Zack’s eyes.

I just ran.

When I finally got home, reality crashed down like a wave. I let my jealousy, my need to prove myself, push me to this.

And now? Now, I have a cheap ring, a fake fiancé, and a sinking feeling of shame.

***

Back at work, I went straight to my office, eager to start the day and hoping to shake off the embarrassment from the holiday disaster. But as I walked in, Zach’s desk was empty.

Puzzled, I glanced around and noticed a folded piece of paper on my desk, my name scrawled in Zach’s familiar handwriting. My heart sank as I unfolded the note. It read:

“Claire, I’m sorry for leaving like this, but I think it’s for the best. I didn’t agree to be your fiancé for the promotion or because of the pressure. I did it because I’ve been in love with you for a long time. I wish things had been different, and I hope you find what you’re really looking for.”