Mom was critically ill. Before she died, she wanted to see me get married. I begged my girlfriend Vivienne for 27 days before she finally agreed to marry me. I waited at City Hall until dark, but she never showed up. That same day, Vivienne’s childhood friend Sebastian posted their marriage certificate on social media: “Time flies—just three more days until we’ve been married for a whole month.” That’s when I found out she had already married Sebastian. Right then, I received an apology text from Vivienne. “Logan, Sebastian’s family was forcing him to get married. I couldn’t just stand by and watch him marry some random person and throw his life away. Three more days and we’ll be divorced. After that, I’ll marry you.” Three days later, when Vivienne showed up at City Hall in her wedding dress, all she received was my message. “Vivienne, we’re done. Forever.” In the morgue, I stared at Mom’s face as tears streamed down my cheeks. Mom had raised me alone. She never asked me for anything. But I couldn’t even fulfill her final wish. When I learned Mom was seriously ill, I begged Vivienne—my girlfriend of six years—to get our marriage license. I wanted Mom to know that after she was gone, I wouldn’t be alone. I begged her for twenty-seven days. But Vivienne kept making excuses. Day one: Sebastian’s car broke down, so she rushed over to pick him up. Day two: She was helping Sebastian move and didn’t have time. … Day twenty-six: Sebastian’s stomach condition flared up, so she rushed over to take care of him. If Sebastian hadn’t posted that marriage certificate today, I’d still be completely in the dark. I had come up with ten thousand reasons to explain Vivienne’s behavior—but never once did I imagine she was already married. I knelt by Mom’s bedside until evening, when Vivienne called. On the phone, her voice was as gentle as always: “It’s so late. Why aren’t you home yet? Where are you? I’ll come pick you up.” I opened my mouth but couldn’t speak. In the past, I would have pretended to be upset so she’d coax me, then happily waited for her to come get me. But now, I could no longer say a single gentle word to her. Vivienne’s voice carried a trace of anxiety: “Logan, where are you right now?” “The hospital.” Vivienne froze, as if only now remembering I’d been taking care of Mom all this time. “I… wait for me. I’m coming to the hospital to be with you.” After she hung up, I suppressed my grief, stood up, and began handling Mom’s funeral arrangements. But ten minutes later, she sent me another message: [Logan, I have to accompany Sebastian to deal with his parents. I’ll definitely visit your mom next time!] I wasn’t surprised at all. Because over the past two years, the phrase I’d heard most from her was: [Next time for sure.] Missed our anniversary? I’ll make it up next time. Skipped meeting Mom with me? I’ll come next time. Put off getting our license? I’ll definitely be free tomorrow. She knew I’d forgive her, so she hurt me without restraint. But this time, there would be no next time. Because Mom would never have another chance. And I would never forgive her again.
That night, I didn’t go home. I stayed at the hospital all night. Vivienne Hart sent messages all night long and made countless calls. I didn’t read them. I didn’t answer. The next day, I arrived at the company early to prepare my resignation paperwork. Vivienne was the company’s founder. I was just an ordinary designer. From the days when she had nothing, I’d been by her side building the business with her. Now, my position in the company had become negligible. Even if I disappeared, Vivienne wouldn’t notice at all. Just as I was printing my resignation letter, Vivienne suddenly appeared behind me. Under her gaze, I calmly picked up the resignation letter. She looked at me, her tone gentle: “Done printing?” “Yeah.” Vivienne looked at me, seemingly oblivious to my coldness. She cleared her throat: “Logan, come with me for a moment.” The instant Vivienne called me away, my colleagues immediately started gossiping. “Did you guys know? Ms. Hart is already married.” “Really? No wonder Logan and Ms. Hart kept their relationship secret and were so hush-hush about it. Turns out he’s the other man.” “Logan always said he hated homewreckers. Talk about being a hypocrite.” My father abandoned Mom and me for another woman, making us suffer for half our lives. But now, thanks to Vivienne, I was being called a homewrecker myself. In the office, Vivienne tried to hug me. I stepped back: “Ms. Hart, this is the office.” Vivienne frowned. “Stop being angry. I’ll go see your mom with you tonight, okay?” I shook my head. “There’s no need anymore.” My mom was already dead, and I didn’t want you to see her anyway. If she knew I was being called a homewrecker because of Vivienne, she’d definitely be angry with me. Vivienne seemed to sense something was off. After a moment of silence, she spoke: “Two more days and I can divorce Sebastian. Then we can get our license.” She handed me a gift box. “This is ginseng I prepared for your mom, specially for restoring her health.” I stared at the ginseng, somewhat dazed. Her gesture came too late. My mom didn’t need it anymore. Seeing my silence, a flash of anxiety crossed Vivienne’s eyes. She was about to speak when an urgent ringtone interrupted her thoughts. Vivienne took out her phone, glanced at me, hesitated briefly, then left anyway. I knew it was Sebastian calling. After all, he was Vivienne’s legitimate husband now. My heart felt nothing. After all, I didn’t care anymore. Later, I submitted my resignation letter. Facing my sudden resignation request, Vice President Smith seemed prepared. “Logan, I’m sure Ms. Hart will take good care of you.” I bit my lip, finding it absurd. Everyone seemed convinced I was Vivienne’s kept man at the company. She had already prepared everything for me. But no one was willing to believe I was Vivienne’s actual boyfriend, and that now, heartbroken, I was leaving. As I was leaving the company, I ran into Vivienne and Sebastian at the elevator. Seeing me, Vivienne’s eyes flickered, and she instinctively tried to explain: “Don’t misunderstand. I brought Sebastian here to…” Before she could finish, Sebastian draped his arm over her shoulder: “Tour my wife’s company.” I said nothing. Then Sebastian spoke again: “Logan, you don’t mind, do you?” Sebastian looked at me provocatively. I silently stepped out of the elevator, making way for them. Vivienne looked at me, hesitation in her eyes. She wanted to say something, but in the end, Sebastian pulled her away. That afternoon, at the crematorium, I watched Mom turn to ashes. I placed her in the cemetery. Until nightfall. Vivienne didn’t appear. Not a single message. I didn’t care. Without her interference, Mom could rest more peacefully. I think Mom’s spirit wouldn’t want me entangled with her anymore either. And she definitely wouldn’t want to see me get a marriage license with her. Our six-year relationship should finally end completely.
Leaving the cemetery, I walked all the way home. I hadn’t walked at night in a long time. Before, I held Mom’s hand. Later, Vivienne held my arm. From now on, I’d walk alone. I think I’ll get used to it. It was past midnight when I finally got home. The living room light was on. Vivienne was leaning on the sofa, texting. Seeing me enter, her furrowed brow relaxed. She immediately rushed over to grab my hand: “Where did you go? You didn’t answer calls or reply to messages. I was about to call the police, you know?!” I froze, then pulled my hand from Vivienne’s grasp. “I was with Mom. I didn’t want her disturbed.” Hearing me mention Mom, Vivienne remembered what she’d said earlier that day. Her face showed some guilt. She suddenly looked at me expectantly and solemnly pulled out a box. I instinctively took it and opened it. Inside was a pair of wedding rings. I suddenly froze. Once, Vivienne had earnestly held my hand and promised we’d wear wedding rings together, hold our marriage certificate, and let Mom witness our happiness. I waited countless days, hoped countless times. But that was before. I closed the box and handed it back. Vivienne frowned slightly, as if thinking of something. She said somewhat awkwardly: “It’s already past midnight. One more day and I can divorce Sebastian.” “Don’t worry, I’ve always remembered my promise.” “Tomorrow, we’ll put the rings on each other, then go get our license.” Her sweet words didn’t move me. I just said: “Okay, got it. I’m tired. I’m going to rest.” The smile on Vivienne’s face froze. For the first time, she noticed my dismissiveness. Panic flashed in her eyes as she tried to grab my hand. Just then, Sebastian walked out of the bedroom wearing my pajamas. He looked at me with sleepy eyes, then immediately stepped forward, draping his arm over Vivienne’s shoulder and whining: “Vivienne, Logan’s back now. Let’s wash up and go to bed.” Vivienne quickly looked at me to explain: “Sebastian had a fight with his family. I let him stay in the guest room for the night.” After speaking, Vivienne stared at me intently, as if afraid I’d misunderstand. I nodded indifferently: “It’s fine. I can stay at Mom’s place for the night.” Vivienne stood frozen, seemingly not expecting me to agree so readily. But Sebastian didn’t give me a chance to change my mind. He smugly turned and rushed back to the room. When I pulled my suitcase toward the door, Vivienne still stood in the living room. She pressed her lips together, gripping my hand tightly and refusing to let go. The guilt in her eyes grew deeper and deeper. Finally, prompted by Sebastian’s urging, she spoke: “Tomorrow, after we get our license, let’s go see your mom together.”
At dawn, I packed everything and returned to the company for final handover. The moment I stepped into the office, colleagues looked at me strangely. After I walked away, they whispered and pointed behind my back. It wasn’t until I found Sebastian sitting at my desk that I understood the source of this strange atmosphere. Everyone stared at their computer screens, but their eyes kept glancing toward this dramatic scene. Seeing me arrive, Sebastian looked at me arrogantly: “I’m starting work today. I want to sit here. Go somewhere else.” I looked at him and nodded calmly. “Fine. Let me pack my things.” Our exchange was calm, but seeing my attitude, my colleagues all thought I felt guilty facing Sebastian, the legitimate spouse. But with both Sebastian and me present, no one dared say much. They just typed on their computers, expressing their disdain for me. I wanted to clear things up but didn’t know how to begin. After all, Sebastian really was Vivienne’s legally married husband. No matter how much I protested, I’d only humiliate myself. As I finished packing and prepared to leave, Vivienne walked over. Seeing me with my belongings, her expression tightened. “Where are you going?” “I’m…” Sebastian cut in: “Making room for me. I like sitting here.” Seeing I was leaving, Vivienne quickly grabbed my arm. “No. This is your seat. No one can…” Before she could finish, I interrupted: “If he likes it, let him have it.” After all, I’d already resigned. Whoever wanted to sit there had nothing to do with me. But Vivienne froze in place, her expression unreadable. Only after my figure with the box disappeared did she snap back to reality. In front of everyone, Vivienne shoved aside Sebastian, who was humming while organizing the desk, then slapped him across the face: “Did our fake marriage give you the wrong idea and make you forget your place?!” “Did you forget I warned you not to provoke Logan?” After leaving the company, I received a text from Vivienne. [Tomorrow at City Hall. I’ll wait for you.] [The specialist I hired for your mom will arrive tomorrow.] I smiled, feeling somewhat bitter. Vivienne, goodbye. I took all my luggage and headed to the airport. The next day, Vivienne stood at the entrance of City Hall, holding her freshly issued divorce certificate.
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