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The Box I Wasn\u2019t Supposed to Open<\/strong><\/p>\n My boyfriend, Colin, gave me a box labeled in bold: \u201cDo Not Open.\u201d<\/em> I joked about it, promised not to peek. But then, he changed\u2014distant, distracted, secretive. And one night, after everything spiraled, I opened it.<\/p>\n I used to have it all\u2014a job I loved as a doctor, supportive friends, and Colin, the kind of man you only read about. We met at the hospital where he worked as a pediatrician. It was love at first sight. Two years in, we were planning to move in together when he brought over that mysterious box.<\/p>\n He brushed off my questions about it. \u201cJust hold onto it,\u201d he said. \u201cDon\u2019t open it.\u201d I agreed, even teased him about it. But then he started acting strange. He left quickly after a suspicious text. My best friend Riley stopped replying to me, and I felt the cracks forming.<\/p>\n Days passed. Colin kept his distance. The silence grew heavier. One night, I saw a message pop up on his phone while he slept. I didn\u2019t read it. But the doubt lingered.<\/p>\n Then I went to Riley\u2019s house.<\/p>\n And saw them\u2014laughing, touching, hugging. It shattered me. I confronted them, screamed, cried, and left.<\/p>\n Back home, I broke down. Then, I reached for the box.<\/p>\n Inside were photos, dried petals, and a jar labeled \u201c100 Reasons I Love You.\u201d<\/em> Each note said the same thing: \u201cJust because you are you.\u201d<\/em> There was a plush heart, and inside it, a ring box.<\/p>\n A knock. Colin.<\/p>\n He was breathless, panicked. \u201cRiley was helping me,\u201d he said. \u201cI was planning to propose.\u201d<\/p>\n I apologized through tears. I had let my fear ruin everything.<\/p>\n He took the box from me, got on one knee, and said, \u201cGood thing I have a lifetime to figure it out. Will you marry me?\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n \u201cYes,\u201d I whispered. \u201cYes.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" The Box I Wasn\u2019t Supposed to Open My boyfriend, Colin, gave me a box labeled in bold: \u201cDo Not Open.\u201d I joked about it, promised not to peek. But then, he changed\u2014distant, distracted, secretive. And one night, after everything spiraled, I opened it. I used to have it all\u2014a job I loved as a doctor,…<\/p>\n