Mom was gravely ill, and her dying wish was to see me get married. I pleaded with my girlfriend, Eloise, for nearly a month before she agreed to marry me. On the day, I waited at the church until nightfall, but Eloise never came. That very day, Eloise’s childhood friend, Lachlan, posted a picture of their wedding rings on social media: “Time flies, it’s been almost a month since we tied the knot.” It was then I realized that on the very first day I started pleading with Eloise, she had already married her childhood friend. At that moment, I received a message from Eloise apologizing. “Jude, Lachlan was forced into a marriage by his family, and I couldn’t stand by and watch him marry someone else, trapping him in a cage.” “We’ll get divorced in three days.” “In three days, I’ll marry you.” Three days later, when Eloise appeared in her wedding dress at the church door, she received only my message: “Eloise, never again.” In the mortuary, I looked at Mom’s face, tears streaming down. Mom raised me by herself, never asking for anything in return. Yet I couldn’t fulfill her final wish. When I learned Mom was seriously ill, I begged Eloise, my girlfriend of six years, to marry me so Mom would know I’d have someone by my side after she was gone. I pleaded with her for nearly a month. But Eloise kept coming up with excuses. On the first day, her childhood friend’s car broke down, and she rushed to help him. The second day, she was helping her childhood friend move and had no time. … On the twenty-sixth day, her childhood friend had a stomach issue, and she went to take care of him. If Lachlan hadn’t posted that picture of their wedding rings today, I would still be in the dark. I imagined countless reasons for Eloise’s behavior, but I never thought she was already married. As I knelt by Mom’s hospital bed until dusk, Eloise called. On the phone, her voice was as gentle as ever: “Why aren’t you home yet? Where are you? I’ll come get you.” I opened my mouth but couldn’t speak. Before, I would have pretended to be angry, letting her coax me, and then waited happily for her to pick me up. But now, I could no longer say a kind word to her. Eloise’s voice had a slight urgency: “Jude, where are you now?” “The hospital.” Eloise was stunned, as if remembering that I’ve been taking care of Mom these days. “I… wait for me, I’ll come to the hospital to be with you.” After the call ended, I held back my grief and started handling Mom’s funeral arrangements. But ten minutes later, she sent me another message: [Jude, I need to help Lachlan with his family, I’ll definitely visit Aunt next time!] I wasn’t surprised. In the past two years, the phrase I’ve heard from her the most is: [Next time for sure.] Missing our anniversary, next time for sure. Promised to meet Mom, next time for sure. Avoiding marrying me. She knew I’d forgive her, so she carelessly hurt me. But this time, there won’t be a next time. Because Mom won’t have another chance. And I won’t forgive her anymore. That night, I didn’t go home; I stayed at the hospital all night. Eloise sent messages all night and called countless times. I neither read nor answered. The next day, I arrived at the company early to prepare my resignation. Eloise is the founder of the company. I’m just an ordinary designer. Since when she had nothing, I have been with her, building the business together. Now, my position in the company has become insignificant. Even if I disappeared, Eloise wouldn’t notice. As I was printing my resignation letter, Eloise suddenly appeared behind me. Under her gaze, I calmly took the resignation letter in hand. She looked at me, her tone gentle: “Finished printing?” “Yeah.” Eloise looked at me, seemingly unaware of my indifference. She cleared her throat: “Jude, come with me for a moment.” As Eloise called me away, my colleagues immediately began to gossip. “Did you know? Boss Eloise is already married.” “Really? No wonder Jude and Boss Eloise kept their relationship private. Turns out he’s the third wheel.” My dad abandoned Mom and me for another woman, making us suffer for half our lives. And now, thanks to Eloise, I’m also being called a third wheel. In the office, Eloise tried to hug me. I stepped back: “Boss, this is a company.” Eloise frowned slightly, “Don’t be mad. How about I accompany you to visit Aunt tonight?” I shook my head. “There’s no need.” My mom is already gone, and I don’t want her to see you. If she knew I was called a third wheel because of Eloise, She’d surely be angry with me. Eloise seemed to sense something different about me. After a moment of silence, she said: “In two more days, I’ll be able to divorce Lachlan. Then, we can get married.” She handed me a gift box. “This is a health supplement I prepared for Aunt.” I looked at it, somewhat in a daze. Her gesture came too late. Mom doesn’t need it anymore. Seeing my silence, anxiety flashed in Eloise’s eyes, just as she was about to speak. An urgent ringtone interrupted her thoughts. Eloise took out her phone, glanced at me, Hesitated for a moment, then left. I knew it was Lachlan calling. After all, he’s Eloise’s legitimate husband now. My heart was unruffled. After all, I no longer cared. Later, I submitted my resignation. Facing my sudden resignation request, Deputy Zhang seemed prepared. “Jude, I believe Boss Eloise will arrange everything for you.” I bit my lip, feeling it was absurd. It seemed everyone assumed I was just a pretty face kept by Eloise in the company. She had everything ready for me. But they wouldn’t believe I was Eloise’s legitimate boyfriend, now heartbroken, ready to leave. As I left the company, I ran into Eloise and Lachlan at the elevator. Seeing me, Eloise’s eyes flickered, instinctively trying to explain: “Don’t misunderstand, I brought Lachlan here to…” Before she finished, Lachlan wrapped his arm around her shoulder: “To tour my wife’s company.” I said nothing, as Lachlan spoke again: “Jude, you don’t mind, do you?” Lachlan looked at me with a provocative gaze. I silently stepped out of the elevator, giving them room. Eloise watched me, eyes filled with hesitation, wanting to say something Yet in the end, Lachlan pulled her away. In the afternoon, at the crematorium, I watched Mom turn to ashes. I placed her in the cemetery. Until nightfall. Eloise didn’t show, nor did she send any messages. I didn’t care. Without her disturbance, Mom could leave more peacefully. I believe Mom’s spirit in heaven wouldn’t want me entangled with her any longer. Nor would she want to see me marry her. Our six-year relationship should end completely. Leaving the cemetery, I walked home. It’s been a while since I walked at night. I used to hold Mom’s hand. Later, Eloise would hold my arm. From now on, I’ll walk alone. I think I’ll get used to it. I didn’t get home until early morning. The living room light was on, Eloise was on the couch sending messages. Seeing me enter, Eloise’s furrowed brow relaxed, and she rushed over to grab my hand: “Where were you? Not answering calls, not replying to messages, I was about to report you missing!” I was startled, pulling away from Eloise’s hand. “I went to be with Mom, didn’t want her disturbed.” Hearing me mention Mom, Eloise remembered what she said during the day, a trace of guilt crossing her face. She suddenly looked at me expectantly, solemnly taking out a box for me. I instinctively opened it, inside was a pair of wedding rings. I was suddenly stunned. Once, Eloise had confidently held my hand. Promising to wear the rings together, letting Mom witness our happiness. I waited countless days, hoped countless times. But that was before. I closed the box, handing it back. Eloise slightly frowned, as if realizing something, awkwardly said: “It’s already past midnight. Just one more day, and I can divorce Lachlan.” “Don’t worry, I always remember my promise.” “Tomorrow, we’ll put the rings on each other, then we’ll get married.” I wasn’t moved by her sweet talk, just said to myself: “Alright, I know, I’m a bit tired, I’ll go rest first.” Eloise’s smile froze, for the first time realizing my indifference. Panic flashed in her eyes as she tried to grab my hand. Just then Lachlan emerged from my bedroom, wearing my pajamas. He blinked sleepily at me, immediately stepping forward to wrap his arm around Eloise’s shoulder, whining: “Eloise, Jude is back, let’s go to bed.” Eloise quickly looked at me, explaining: “Lachlan had a fight with his family, I let him stay in the guest room for a night.” After speaking, Eloise watched me closely, as if afraid I’d misunderstand. I nodded, indifferently saying: “It’s alright, I can stay at Mom’s for the night.” She had a trace of panic in her eyes and reached out to grab my hand. At that moment, Lachlan emerged from the bedroom wearing my pajamas. He looked at me sleepily and immediately went over to Eloise, leaning against her shoulder and said in a playful tone: “Eloise, Jude is back. Let’s get ready for bed.” Eloise quickly glanced at me, explaining: “Lachlan had a falling out with his family, so I let him stay in the guest room for the night.” After speaking, Eloise stared at me, seemingly worried that I might misunderstand. I nodded, responding casually: “That’s fine. I can stay at Mom’s for the night.” Eloise was taken aback, as if surprised by my straightforward acceptance. However, Lachlan didn’t give me a chance to reconsider, smugly retreating back into the room. As I prepared to leave with my suitcase, Eloise was still standing in the living room. She pursed her lips, holding my hand tightly, unwilling to let go. Her eyes showed deepening guilt. Finally, prompted by Lachlan, she spoke: “Tomorrow, after we finalize everything, we’ll go see Aunt together.” When morning came, I packed up and returned to the office for the final handover. As soon as I stepped in, I noticed colleagues giving me strange looks, whispering and pointing as I passed by. It wasn’t until I saw Lachlan sitting at my desk that I understood the odd atmosphere. Everyone was focused on their screens, yet they kept glancing at the unfolding scene. Seeing me, Lachlan looked at me with arrogance: “I’m starting here today. I want this spot, so find another place.” I looked at him and calmly nodded. “Okay, I’ll pack my things.” We spoke calmly, but seeing my demeanor, the colleagues assumed I felt guilty in Lachlan’s presence. Yet, with both of us there, no one dared to say much. They just typed away on their computers, expressing disdain for me. I wanted to explain but didn’t know where to start. After all, Lachlan was legally Eloise’s husband. Saying more would only humiliate myself. As I finished packing to leave, Eloise approached. Seeing me with my luggage, her expression tightened. “Where are you going?” “I…” Lachlan cut in: “Move for me. I like sitting here.” As I was about to leave, Eloise quickly grabbed my arm. “No, this spot is yours, no one else…” Before she could finish, I interrupted: “If he likes it, let him have it.” After all, I’ve already resigned. Whoever wants to sit here is none of my concern. Eloise stood there, her expression unreadable. It wasn’t until my silhouette disappeared with the suitcase that she came to her senses. Eloise pushed aside a singing Lachlan, who was tidying the desk, and slapped him hard across the face: “Did you really think our fake marriage meant you could overstep your bounds?!” “Did you forget I warned you not to bother Jude?” After leaving the office, I received a text from Eloise. [I’ll wait for you at the church entrance tomorrow.] [The expert I invited for Aunt will arrive tomorrow.] [After we finalize everything, we’ll go see Aunt together.] I chuckled, feeling a sudden bitterness. Eloise, goodbye. I took all my luggage and headed to the airport. The next day, Eloise stood at the church entrance with a freshly issued divorce certificate. The plane began its descent, heading to Southport—a seaside city I’d never visited but always longed for. There was no Eloise, no Lachlan, none of the suffocating rumors. As the plane sliced through the clouds, I suddenly remembered that stormy night six years ago when Eloise, drenched, stood under my building and confessed: “Jude, let’s work hard together, and we’ll have a good life!” … I turned on my phone, finding seventeen unread messages, the latest from five minutes ago: “Jude, I’m at the church entrance now. When will you arrive?” I stared at the screen and suddenly burst into laughter. How ironic. Twenty-seven days of pleading, and all I got was her saying, “I’ll marry you in three days,” But now three days had passed, and I didn’t even have the strength to tear apart the lies. My fingertips brushed over the familiar number in my contacts, as six years of chat history flickered like a slideshow before my eyes. The stormy night when she confessed, soaked to the skin. The embarrassing moments of sharing a cup of instant noodles in a rented room while starting a business. Her excitement when signing the first contract, jumping into my arms.
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