They stepped inside, tension thick between them.
Margaret steadied herself. “Why did you lie about your appearance, Colin?”
Looking down, Colin’s face reflected regret.
“It’s hard for me to meet people.
I have little experience with relationships. Out of anxiety, I used a photo of someone attractive because I thought no one would be interested in the real me.
I wanted to tell you,
but I was scared you’d stop talking to me.”
Margaret listened, her heart softening.
She could see his sincerity. “It’s not your appearance that matters, Colin. It’s that you didn’t lie about who you are inside.”
Margaret gasped, feeling her own guilt.
“I lied too.
I said I was thirty, but I’m forty-five. I was worried you wouldn’t want someone my age…”
Colin stepped closer, looking into her eyes.
“Age doesn’t matter to me, Margaret. You’re beautiful, and I’ve cherished every conversation.
I’m just happy we’re finally meeting.”
A smile crossed Margaret’s face.
“Funny, isn’t it? We both pretended out of fear.”
Colin chuckled, nodding. “Yes, maybe it shows we have more in common than we thought.”
Margaret felt a wave of relief.
“Would you like to come in?
Let’s have dinner and start fresh—no lies this time.”
Colin smiled warmly. “I’d like that very much.”
They walked inside, leaving the flowers on the doorstep as a reminder of their new beginning.
As they enjoyed dinner, laughter filled the room, and they shared their true selves.
Fear and doubt faded, replaced by connection and understanding. They both knew a family couldn’t be built on lies, and this honest beginning was the first step toward something real and lasting.
