I can't marry Clara

As I approached him for a warm hug, his glum expression halted me in my tracks. "How are the wedding arrangements with you and Clara coming along, son?" he inquired, his eyes brimming with anticipation and warmth, eager for a reassuring update.

Caught between the weight of his expectations and the truth I couldn't reveal, I found myself at a loss. "Clara will be joining us this weekend for some wedding preparations," I replied, deflecting the underlying issue, hoping to spare him from the discomfort of my own conflicted emotions.

His hopeful gaze lingered, searching for reassurance in my words. "It's wonderful that Clara is so involved," he remarked, his tone tinged with a hint of satisfaction. Deep down, I knew the charade couldn't last forever, but for now, I maintained the facade, shielding him from the turmoil within.

With a heavy heart, I resolved to confront the truth in due time, knowing that honesty would eventually prevail over the facade I had crafted. Until then, I remained