After my boyfriend staged a fake proposal, I decided to break up with him.

I have been in a relationship with my boyfriend John for 5 years. Our relationship has been healthy and stable until today. John has always been fond of pranks and jokes, and we frequently exchange playful banter. However, his actions crossed a line today.

This morning, he woke me up at 7am with the news that he wanted to take me to a spa. This surprised me as it wasn’t a special occasion, but I agreed. During our time at the spa, he mentioned his plan to treat me to a fancy restaurant afterward, covering the expenses. Given that we hadn’t been out together for a while, I happily accepted.

At the restaurant, we enjoyed a romantic dinner and engaging conversation, including discussions about a future house we intended to move into. Approximately 40 minutes into the meal, John unexpectedly stood up, knelt down, and presented a box from his pocket. This completely caught me off guard, as we had never discussed marriage before. Although the timing seemed right, I had no anticipations. His speech expressed his feelings about our relationship and his desire to spend forever with me, culminating in a proposal, “Will you marry me, my princess?” I excitedly said yes.

However, my elation swiftly turned into shock and dismay. Instead of a ring in the box, I found a note reading “you’ve been pranked!!!” John erupted into laughter.

He continued by revealing that it was all a prank, that he wasn’t prepared for marriage. He attempted to hug me, but my response was an emotional slap combined with tearful anger. I uttered, “We’re done, you insensitive person.”

Currently, I’m sitting on my bed, tears flowing as I write this. John has been trying to reach out through texts and calls, but I haven’t replied. I am grappling with profound sadness, a sense of betrayal, and a surge of anger. What was supposed to be one of my happiest days has turned into a nightmare.

What course of action should I take?