While preparing for my niece’s christening, I met a man different from anyone I had ever known. He was kind, thoughtful, and impossible not to like. But he had made a choice long before we met, one that stood between us. I never imagined how it would all end—or how much it would change me.
I stood in front of Sarah’s house, shifting my weight from one foot to the other. That day, we were finalizing the details for Ellie’s christening, something Sarah had been stressing about for weeks.
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I rang the doorbell and waited. Nothing. I rang it again. Still nothing. Frowning, I tried the handle—it turned easily. The door was unlocked.
Stepping inside, I was immediately hit by a wall of noise. Ellie’s wails filled the house, high-pitched and relentless.
Sarah was darting back and forth, juggling bottles and stuffed animals with the frantic energy of someone running on two hours of sleep. Mark stood nearby, hands hovering uselessly as he attempted to soothe Ellie.
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Silently, I slipped into the kitchen, grabbed a mug, and poured myself some coffee.
A moment later, Sarah rushed into the kitchen, her hair a mess, her face flushed. Her eyes widened.
“Oh, God! You scared me!” she gasped, pressing a hand to her chest. “How long have you been standing there?”
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“A while,” I said, taking another sip of coffee.
She frowned. “You could have helped, you know.”
I leaned against the counter. “I’m here for moral support.”
Sarah rolled her eyes. “You’re impossible.”
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Just then, the doorbell rang. Sarah straightened, her whole demeanor changing. “Oh, that must be him!” she said, hurrying toward the door.
At least she heard this doorbell.
Curious, I followed her. As I stepped into the hallway, I saw a man standing at the entrance. A very attractive man. Very attractive.
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Sarah smirked. “Claire, are you done with your coffee?”
“Something like that,” I said, my eyes still on him.
Sarah gestured toward him. “Then I’d like to introduce you. Claire, this is Father Nathan. He’ll be christening Ellie.”
I blinked. “Father?” I looked him up and down. No collar. No robe. “Where’s your—” I made a circle around my neck.
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“I’m allowed to wear regular clothes,” he said, amused.
I crossed my arms. “You don’t look like a priest.”
“Thank you. I’ll take that as a compliment,” he said, still smiling.
“You should,” I said.
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Sarah clapped her hands together. “Alright, let’s go over the details.”
We all moved into the living room. I sat at the far end, keeping my distance from the baby. She made me nervous.
All babies did. Sarah and Mark discussed the ceremony, asking Nathan about traditions and schedules. I tuned most of it out.
“So, what do you do?” Nathan asked, turning to me.
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“Oh, I own an art supply store,” I said.
“You’re an artist?”
“No, but I sell materials for artists. Without me, they’d be nothing,” I said.
He laughed. A real, warm laugh.
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For the first time all day, I felt seen. The meeting went on, but Nathan and I kept talking. Jokes, small talk, teasing. It felt easy. Familiar.
When we were both in the entryway, getting ready to leave, he asked, “Why aren’t you the godmother?”
“Babies scare me. And kids.”
“Oh, I understand. Me too.”
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“But you’re—”
“These will be my first christenings. I just hope I don’t forget that babies can’t swim,” he said.
I laughed. “That’s an honest answer.”
“Lying is a sin. And He sees everything,” Nathan said, pointing to the ceiling. He hesitated, then added, “I’d love to see you at church sometime.”
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I swallowed. “Oh, I wouldn’t call myself particularly religious.”
“Well, if you ever feel like it, I’ll be there,” he said.
And I don’t know why, but I listened to him.
That Sunday, I found myself sitting in a wooden pew, surrounded by families, older couples, and a few scattered individuals like me.
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The church smelled of candle wax and old books. I folded my hands in my lap, unsure what to do.
Nathan spoke with ease, his voice warm, his words thoughtful. He told stories, made people laugh, yet never lost the meaning behind his sermon. People seemed to like him—and oh, how I understood why.
Nathan was impossible not to like.
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After the service, I walked toward him.
“So, you actually came,” Nathan said, smiling.
I nodded. “Yeah. It was… different. In a good way.”
“Glad to hear that. I try not to make people fall asleep.” He grinned.
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“Well, you kept me awake,” I said.
“Would you like some coffee or tea?” he asked.
“I’d love some,” I said, and he led me to his… office? I wasn’t sure what they were called.
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That day, we talked for hours. The conversation flowed so easily—about faith, the church, people, and life in general.
Nathan listened without judgment, spoke with honesty, and made me think in ways I hadn’t before.
I felt more comfortable with him than I had with anyone in a long time. That should have been a good thing, but it wasn’t.
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He was a priest. And it killed me to know that he was a priest—that I could never have a real relationship with him.
Still, I kept coming back. Almost every day, we found something new to talk about.
One day, we sat on a park bench, the sun warm against my skin. Talking to Nathan felt easy, natural.
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“You can’t get married. What would you do if you liked someone?” I asked, glancing at him.
He smirked. “I’d invite her to my services, talk to her, agree to christen her niece, and hope she leaves me alone.”
I smiled, feeling my cheeks heat up. “And if you fell in love with someone?”
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Nathan’s smile faded. He let out a slow breath. “The path I chose requires me to devote my life and love to God.”
I swallowed hard. “I could never do that.”
Nathan turned toward me. “That’s why talking to you is good for me. You challenge me. You make me question things.”
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His eyes met mine. My heart pounded. And then, without thinking, I kissed him.
For a moment, he kissed me back. Warm. Certain. Then, suddenly, he pulled away, his face pale.
“No, this is wrong,” he whispered. “I’m sorry.” He stood up and walked away.
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I sat frozen, watching him disappear, feeling like I had just lost something I never really had.
The next day, my phone rang early. Sarah’s voice came through, shaky and rushed.
“Claire, he backed out! Nathan won’t do the christening. It’s tomorrow! What am I supposed to do?”
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I gripped the phone tighter. “What? Why?”
“He didn’t say. Just told Mark he couldn’t do it.”
I closed my eyes. I knew why. This was because of me. I tried to calm Sarah, but she was too upset.
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After hanging up, I went to the church. Nathan wasn’t there. No one knew where he was.
That evening, a knock at my door startled me. I opened it and froze. Nathan stood there, his expression unreadable.
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“Your sister gave me your address,” he said. His voice was quiet, but his eyes held something heavy.
I stepped aside. “Come in.”
He walked in, standing awkwardly in the middle of my living room. I crossed my arms. “Sarah is panicking. You need to do the christening.”
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Nathan sighed. “I already agreed. My conscience wouldn’t let me refuse.”
Relief flooded through me. “Good. Then why are you here?”
He ran a hand through his hair, looking more unsure than I’d seen him. “I gave up a lot to have the life I have. Years of training, sacrifice, purpose. Then you showed up.” His eyes met mine. “And now, I doubt everything.”
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I swallowed hard. “I’m sorry.”
“I can’t stop thinking about you. I pray, I work, I read, and it’s still you. It should be Him. My mind should be clear. It’s not.”
I stared at him, unable to speak. My throat tightened, my chest ached.
“Screw it,” Nathan muttered. Then, before I could react, he grabbed me and kissed me.
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I kissed him back without hesitation.
He stayed the night…If you know what I mean.
By morning, I stared at the ceiling, my heart pounding. I felt warm beside him, but my mind spun.
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“I can’t believe you actually did this,” I said, barely above a whisper.
Nathan sat up, rubbing his face. “Neither can I.”
We both knew what this meant.
It was the day of the christening. Nathan dressed quickly, avoiding my eyes.
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He muttered something about needing to be at the church early. Then he was gone.
I sat on the edge of my bed, staring at the empty space where he had been. My heart felt heavy, but I pushed the feeling down.
I got ready, put on a simple dress, and drove to the church.
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The ceremony went perfectly. Nathan spoke with warmth and confidence, his voice steady, his smile easy. No one would have guessed he was struggling.
Afterward, Sarah and Mark hosted a celebration. Laughter filled the house, food covered the table, and everyone seemed happy.
Nathan and I left at the same time. We didn’t plan it, but suddenly, we were standing outside together, alone.
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The air between us was thick with unspoken words. I knew this was it. The moment I had been dreading.
“You did well today,” I said. My voice was even, but I felt unsteady.
“Thanks.” Nathan wouldn’t look at me.
I exhaled slowly. “It’s not going to be me, is it?” My voice wavered. “It’s going to be Him.”
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He finally met my eyes. “…Yeah.”
I let out a small, sad laugh. My vision blurred. “The funniest part of all this? I love you.”
Nathan pulled me into a tight hug, his arms lingering before he let go.
“This won’t last forever,” he murmured.
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I forced a smile. “So… see you Sunday at mass?”
Nathan chuckled, though his eyes were sad. “Yeah. But seriously? You’re banned from my services for life.”
He turned, hesitated, then looked back.
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“I love you too.”
Then he walked away.
And that was the last time I ever saw him.
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My Brother-in-Law Tried to Seduce Me at My Husband’s Birthday Party
I never thought my husband’s birthday party would end up being the night that tore his family apart. But I guess life has a way of throwing curveballs when you least expect them.
I’ve been married to Ryan for five years now, and we’ve always had a pretty good life together. We both have solid careers and a nice group of friends, and we generally get along well with his family — his parents, Gina and Frank, and his younger brother, Cole.
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The party was in full swing, our house filled with laughter and the clinking of glasses. Ryan was in his element, chatting with everyone and showing off the vintage record player I’d gotten him.
“Natalie, this is amazing!” he said, pulling me into a hug. “Best birthday ever!”
I grinned, watching him interact with our friends. Cole sidled up to us, a beer in hand.
“Yeah, sis, you really outdid yourself,” he said, giving me a wink.
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I noticed Cole had been drinking quite a bit, but I didn’t think much of it at the time. If only I’d known what was coming.
As the night wore on, people started to trickle out. Soon, it was just us, Ryan’s family, and our friends Karen and Tom.
“You guys should stay the night,” I offered. “It’s late, and you’ve all had a few drinks.”
Everyone agreed, and I started assigning sleeping arrangements. Ryan’s parents took the guest room, Karen and Tom the pull-out couch, and Cole got the spare room in the basement.
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After Ryan headed up to bed, I stayed behind to clean up a bit. I was elbow-deep in sudsy water when I felt someone come up behind me.
“Need a hand?” Cole’s voice was right in my ear, making me jump.
“Cole! You scared me,” I said, turning around. “No, I’m good. You should get some sleep.”
He leaned against the counter, a strange look in his eyes. “Nah, I’m not tired. Let me help.”
I shrugged and handed him a towel. We worked in silence for a few minutes before things got… weird.
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“You know, Natalie,” Cole said, his voice low. “I’ve always thought you were too good for my brother.”
I laughed nervously. “Good one, Cole. I think you’ve had a bit too much to drink.”
But he wasn’t laughing. He stepped closer, and I could smell the alcohol on his breath.
“I’m serious,” he said. “You’re smart, funny, beautiful. Ryan doesn’t appreciate you like I would.”
My heart started thumping. Was this really happening? I tried to shrug it off.
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“Cole, you’re drunk. Go to bed.”
He grabbed my arm, his eyes intense. “Come with me. To my room. Ryan will never know.”
I felt like I’d been punched in the gut. This was my husband’s brother — the same guy who’d been best man at our wedding, who came over for dinner almost every Sunday. And here he was, propositioning me in my own kitchen.
For a split second, I considered slapping him. But then an idea struck me — a way to teach him a lesson he’d never forget.
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I forced a smile. “You know what? You’re right. Ryan doesn’t appreciate me.”
Cole’s eyes widened in surprise. “Really? You mean…?”
I nodded, trying to look seductive. “But we need to be careful. Here’s what we’ll do. Go down to your room and put this on.”
I handed him a sleep mask from the junk drawer. He looked at it, confused.
“Trust me,” I said. “It’ll make things more… exciting. I’ll be down in a few minutes.”
A woman talking to a man in a kitchen | Source: Midjourney
Cole grinned and practically ran to the basement. As soon as he was gone, I let out a shaky breath. Then I headed upstairs.
I shook Ryan awake. “Babe, wake up. We have a problem.”
Ryan blinked at me, confused. “What’s wrong?”
I took a deep breath. “It’s Cole. He… he just tried to get me to sleep with him.”
Ryan sat up, suddenly wide awake. “What? You’re kidding, right?”
I shook my head. “I wish I was. But listen, I have a plan.”
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I quickly explained what happened and what I wanted to do. Ryan’s face went through a range of emotions — shock, anger, and finally, a grim determination.
“Let’s do it,” he said.
We woke up his parents and our friends, explaining the situation in hushed tones. Everyone was shocked, but they agreed to help.
As we crept down to the basement, I felt nervous and angry. This was going to change everything, but Cole needed to learn that actions have consequences.
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I opened the door to find Cole lying on the bed, the sleep mask in place. He stirred when he heard us enter.
“Natalie? Is that you?” he asked, a smile in his voice.
I took a deep breath. “Yeah, it’s me. Have you been waiting long?”
Cole chuckled. “It feels like forever. I hope the others don’t hear us.”
I saw Ryan clench his fists, but he stayed quiet. “Don’t worry about them,” I said. “Why don’t you take off that mask and look at me?”
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Cole reached up and pulled off the mask. For a moment, he blinked in confusion at the group of people standing in front of him. Then realization dawned on his face.
“What the hell?” he sputtered, scrambling to sit up.
Ryan stepped forward, his voice cold. “That’s what I’d like to know, little brother. What the hell were you thinking?”
Cole’s face went pale. “Ryan, I… it’s not what it looks like.”
“Really?” Ryan said. “Because it looks like you were trying to sleep with my wife.”
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Gina let out a choked sob. “Cole, how could you?”
Cole looked frantically around the room, his eyes landing on me. “Natalie, tell them! You came onto me!”
I shook my head, disgusted. “Don’t try to pin this on me, Cole. Everyone here knows what really happened.”
Frank, who had been silent until now, spoke up. “Son, I think it’s best if you leave. Now.”
Cole’s face crumpled. “Dad, please… It was a mistake. I was drunk.”
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But Frank just shook his head, looking older than I’d ever seen him.
Ryan pointed to the door. “Get out, Cole. And don’t come back.”
We watched in silence as Cole gathered his things and left. The sound of his car starting and driving away seemed to echo in the quiet house.
After he was gone, Ryan turned to me, pulling me into a tight hug. “I’m so sorry, Nat. I can’t believe he would do this.”
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I hugged him back, feeling the tension of the night start to drain away. “It’s not your fault.”
We spent the rest of the night talking — about what happened, about how we’d move forward. It wasn’t going to be easy, but we’d get through it together.
Gina and Frank were devastated. “We raised him better than this,” Gina kept saying, tears in her eyes.
Frank just looked lost. “I don’t understand. He’s always looked up to Ryan. Why would he do this?”
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Karen and Tom made coffee and tried to keep everyone calm. “It’s not anyone’s fault,” Karen said. “Cole made his own choices.”
As the sun started to rise, Ryan and I were sitting on the porch, cups of coffee in hand.
“Some birthday, huh?” I said, trying for a weak joke.
Ryan gave me a small smile. “Yeah, not exactly what I had in mind. But you know what?”
“What?”
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He took my hand, squeezing it gently. “I’m glad it happened. Not because of what Cole did, but because it showed me how lucky I am to have you. You’re amazing, Natalie.”
I felt tears prick my eyes. “We’re lucky to have each other.”
***
The next few weeks were tough. Ryan’s parents decided to cut ties with Cole, at least for the time being. It was hard on all of us, especially Ryan. He’d always been close to his brother, and now that relationship was shattered.
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“I keep thinking about all the times we hung out,” Ryan said one night. “Was he always thinking about you like that?”
I shook my head. “I don’t think so. I think he was just drunk and made a terrible decision.”
But the damage was done. Family gatherings were awkward, with Cole’s absence hanging over everything like a cloud. Gina would get teary-eyed whenever someone mentioned him, and Frank would just stare off into space.
Slowly, though, we started to heal. Ryan and I grew even closer, if that was possible. We talked more, shared more. It was like we’d been through a war together and come out stronger on the other side.
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