Antonio used to love me more than anyone else in the world.
During all four years of college, she was the one who believed in me, cheered me on, and helped me get through tests, stress, and late-night ramen dinners. She was always kind and gentle, and her love for me never wavered.
But life outside of school isn’t as simple as a college romance. After we graduated, life began to pull us in various directions.
A big corporation in Mexico City offered me a good position just after I graduated. Antonio, on the other hand, had a hard time. Antonio eventually got a job as a receptionist at a tiny neighborhood clinic after sending out résumés for months.
I didn’t just notice the difference; I thought about it.
Choosing Money Over Love
Back then, I thought I was intended for more. I told myself that I “deserved better” than a spouse who didn’t make much money. The truth was worse: I wanted to be important.
I did the meanest thing, though.
Antonio and I split up. And not just anyone; I left her for the CEO’s daughter, whose last name opened doors faster than any business degree.
Antonio cried that day. She gripped my arm and begged me to stay, her voice breaking with each word. But I didn’t change my mind. I had already decided that she wasn’t “enough” for the life I wanted.
A Marriage That Wasn’t a Dream
Five years later, I was the assistant sales manager. I had the nice clothes, the job title, and the business card with gold letters on it.
But what about my life outside of work? The battlefield was cold and empty.
My wife, the CEO’s daughter, always knocked me down for what she called my “average salary,” even though I worked for her father’s company. I could feel the heavy weight of her expectations and the sharper weight of my father-in-law’s rage.
One afternoon, a college friend called me and gave me some casual gossip that would change everything.
The Invite That Made Me Feel Good
“Did you hear?” he inquired. “Antonio is going to get married.”
“She’s marrying a construction worker,” he said next, before I could process what he had said. No money. To be honest, she still can’t make a good option.
I laughed, but it was a fake, snobby laugh.
I could see him in my mind: a man with tired hands, a wrinkled, cheap suit, and a cheap tie. I decided right then and there that I would go to the wedding, not to congratulate her but to show her what she had lost.
The fitted clothes, the fancy car, and the confident entrance made me feel like the most successful person in the world. I wanted her to feel bad about letting me go.
The Big Entrance That Didn’t Work
On the day of the wedding, I put on my most expensive designer outfit and got into my shining automobile. As soon as I walked into the reception area, I could feel everyone looking at me. I lifted my chin. I thought I had won.
Then I saw him.
The Groom I Didn’t See Coming
The groom donned a simple beige suit to the altar. No designer outfits or flashy attire. But I stopped because of his smile and other qualities.
I got closer, and the sound of my heels on the floor echoed. Then my stomach dropped.
Emilio was there.
A Man’s Thoughts I Didn’t See
For one semester in college, Emilio and I lived together. He was a humble, unassuming man who was always there. He lost one of his legs in a terrible accident during his last year. But I never heard him say anything negative.
He was always ready to help anyone who needed it, whether it was carrying groceries for a neighbor, staying up late to help with homework, or giving someone his notes without thinking twice. I didn’t see how nice he was.
After he graduated, he took a job as a construction supervisor. The pay wasn’t tremendous, but he always seemed pleased on social media.
And now he was standing at the altar with confidence, balancing on one knee and holding Antonio’s hand like it was the most important thing in the world.
I didn’t care about Antonio’s happiness.
Antonio was quite pretty. Her eyes shone with the light of someone who was completely at peace. Her smile was calm, warm, and sure.
The woman who used to be sad about my rejection was no longer there. This woman stood up straight and was proud of the man next to her. She didn’t care what kind a suit he was wearing or how much money he had.
There were two older men at the table next to me who were discussing quietly about Emilio.
“Lost a leg, but never his spirit.”
“Works hard and sends money home to his parents every month.”
“Saved for years to buy land and build her a house.”
“Faithful, honest, and liked by everyone here.”
What other people said hurt me more than I thought it would.
The moment I realized what I had lost was really deep.
As the ceremony began, Antonio walked up to the altar and held Emilio’s hand. There was no doubt or shyness.
I remembered the days when Antonio was so afraid to be seen with me in public that she felt her plain clothes would make me feel bad. But there she was, walking confidently next to a man with one leg, her face beaming with joy.
At that instant, I knew the truth: she had found happiness that I could never give her.
The longest drive back home
When the ceremony was over, I left quietly. At the end, there was no major fight or angry words.
I dropped my expensive purse on the couch at home and it tumbled to the floor. My chest hurt. Then I cried.
I didn’t cry because I was envious. I cried because I finally understood that I had lost the most important thing in my life. She didn’t leave him for someone who had more money or a better job; she left him for someone who had a better heart.
The Lesson That Changed Me
I still had the job title, the fancy car, and the clothes. But none of these could fill the emptiness I felt.
Antonio had found someone who would do everything for her, even if it meant crawling through fire. Her husband adored her no matter what, even though he didn’t care how much money she had.
And what about me? I built my life on how things looked, but I learnt that looks can change.
That night, I realized what it meant to lose something important, not money.
Since that day, my life has changed. I stopped making judgments about others based on how much money they make or what kind of shoes they wear.
I’ve learnt that a person’s true worth is in how they love, protect, and care for the people around them.
You can make money again. But you might never be able to get back the trust, love, and loyalty of a good heart.