My girlfriend of twelve years finally agreed to marry me.Being so excited,I drank too much at our engagement party.

But Liza,who used to be gentle and kind,transformed into someone else.She slapped me in front of our guests and kicked me out of the car.I returned home while nursing my wounded pride and honor.

In our marital home,I saw her embracing her long-lost love,Mathew Cooper.

"I regret it.I'll call off the wedding if you come back to me."she was pleading to Mathew.

After witnessing her passion for Mathew,I regretted my decision too.In order to avoid her calling off the wedding,I fled on our wedding day.No one expected Liza's frantic search for me.

——

In our marital home,I saw them embracing.I kicked off the shoes she gave me as an engagement gift.Though I loved them,they were a size too small,bloodying my feet.

I called my uncle abroad and told him,"Uncle,I'm not getting married.I want to come to you."

Uncle paused for a while then said,"That's Good.Our family business was going to be yours anyway.It's good that you come soon and adapt early."

I couldn't suppress my tears while he added,"Edan,don't cry.You're young.Don't let marriage and kids hold you back.You have a future.Think clearly.I'm waiting for you."

Until tonight,I thought Liza was different.She was a successful,elegant woman.She remained kind and reserved.No scandals marred her reputation.

But at our engagement party,she saw Mathew Cooper.For the first time,she lost control,shattering a glass.For the first time,she lashed out at me,abandoning me.

If I had seen her with anyone else,I'd assume it was a misunderstanding.I'd give her another chance,spend another decade devoted to her.But the man in our home was Matthew Cooper.The one who tormented me for twenty years.The one who took everything from me.The one I could never forgive.

When Liza brought Matthew home,I gave up on her.Yet,I opened our home's surveillance.

Matthew wore my pajamas in our bed.Liza,who never did chores,cooked wake-up soup for him.

Matthew asked,"You are actually marrying a stand-in?"

Liza remained silent,only massaging his feet.

"You did all this to provoke me,didn't you?"Matthew accused.

"This room,the ring,the cake–everything's my style."He added before continuing,"You love me,not him."

Liza stayed silent,then kissed Matthew passionately.Tears streamed down my face while watching this.

In twelve years,Liza never kissed me passionately.I thought she was shy.But she was only reserving her love for Matthew.

As I left,Liza appeared while calling my name.

"Edan..."

Liza instinctively released Matthew's hand as I turned around.

"Matthew's drunk.I brought him here since I was worried about him walking alone."she explained.

Matthew,a decent man,insisted on leaving to avoid misunderstandings.Liza,usually reserved,spoke lavishly about Matthew while defending him.I felt a strange sense of detachment from the woman before me.

I was her childhood sweetheart,her business partner,and fiancé.Why had I become a substitute?

I suppressed my pain before speaking,"He's not my brother.He is the son of our family's mistress."

Liza's expression darkened as she yelled angrily,"Edan Cooper!Apologize to Matthew for your vicious words!"

"You're despicable,no wonder your parents abandoned you.Your bitter nature makes me disgusted.No wonder nobody loves you."

Liza shielded Matthew with her face tensed in the moonlight.This gesture reminded me of our childhood.

When my mother's infidelity tore our family apart,Liza would rush to my side.She'd say,"Edan,you're the best person.Even if everyone abandons you,I'll love you forever."

I held onto those words,striving to build a happy family with Liza.But when I mentioned this,she'd dismiss it with a frown.Now,with Matthew here,she didn't even say'childish nonsense'anymore.Instead,she pierced my heart with her words like,"You deserve to be unloved."

I looked away.Tears were formed in my eyes Liza's eyes trembled slightly,noticing my bleeding feet.

"Tonight,I'll consider you drunk.In the future..."

"There won't be a future."I said flatly while cutting her off.

Liza's confusion was interrupted by Matthew's tearful departure.She rushed after him,dropping her raindrop pendant.I picked it up,recalling the small raindrop tattoo on Liza's left chest.

All ignored details were now connected.Our twelve-year love was just my one-sided devotion.Now,I shouldn't cling to an unworthy woman.

As I returned home,Uncle's message arrived.He'd booked my flight abroad–on our wedding day.The wedding countdown now ticked down my departure.I smiled bitterly,discarding our marital decorations and joint belongings.

Fate had its own plan.I would now spend these last two weeks bidding farewell to my past.

Liza's phone call woke me up at dawn.

"Edan,are you awake?I ordered your favorite soup buns.I won't come home today.There is an emergency at work.Let's reschedule the wedding photoshoot."

"I apologized to Matthew for last night."

"Okay."

Liza seemed taken aback by my quick agreement.

"Weddings are just for show.We're happy.No need to prove it.Let's keep it simple."

"Okay."

Simple.No marriage certificate.No wedding photos.No ceremony.No groom.

After hanging up,I crossed out"wedding photoshoot"on my calendar.

Liza was always busy.I listed my desires,hoping to fulfill them during our marriage.But one by one,they were covered in thick marker strokes.There were many unspoken regrets.

But now I focused on myself,not Liza.After resigning,I said goodbye to colleagues and friends.

"Actually,we all guessed..."

A friend showed me Liza's social media.

"She's been with Matthew this whole time.Everyone thought the person in her posts was you,but we recognized Matthew immediately."

Liza,who never posted my pictures,now filled her feed with Matthew's.They went to amusement parks,tried wedding attire,and watched sunrises together.Her love for Matthew was open.But she blocked me.

Friends were worried about me,saying"Edan,don't be too heartbroken.Matthew has no comparison with you.If Liza knew his true nature,she'd regret it."

"I'm over it."I replied indifferently.

I gazed at the bustling streets.In a few days,I'd leave forever.No time or energy to lament Liza.

When Liza returned,I remained unmoved.

"Why's the house empty?Didn't you decorate?"She asked.

"As you said,simple."I replied bluntly.

Liza fell silent,noticing the countdown,"10."

"Time flies.Our wedding's in ten days."She said.

I tore off two pages,saying,"Ours is in eight days."

Those pages held wishes like"ride the Ferris wheel"and"watch sunrise and sunset."Liza never noticed anything about me.

Suddenly,Uncle called and I stepped outside.Upon returning,Liza said,"Don't plan a honeymoon.I'm too busy."

"I know."I replied.

Since Matthew's return,Liza clung to him.I handed her the raindrop pendant.Her eyes sparkled,saying excitedly,"I've been looking for it everywhere."

"I saw your high-reward lost item post online."I replied.

One million dollars for an old pendant.Our wedding budget was only 200,000.

"Liza,where's your engagement ring?"I asked.

She hesitated,realizing it was gone.

"I must have lost it..."

Liza's phone beeped with Matthew's special tone.She read the message and kissed my forehead before saying,"Sorry,dear.I'll make you the happiest man after this busy period."

Liza,once shy,now spoke sweet nothings.In the past,I'd be touched.Now,I washed my face,unimpressed.

Time passed by.The day before the wedding,my calendar wish was"family dinner."

It was one of my lifelong desires.But I knew it was impossible.My dad wouldn't forgive mom.I wouldn't forgive Liza.I rode the Ferris wheel,watching the sunset.Memories dissipated in the evening breeze.

Matthew posted a family dinner photo.Liza was feeding him.There was a Caption:"Meeting parents,finalizing wedding details."

I laughed.Whose wedding?

I blocked Matthew and drafted a message to Liza but couldn't send it.

As I prepared to head home,Liza called me,asking,"Where are you?Why aren't you home?"

"Share your location.I miss you."