Secret Marriage No More

For seven years, I made sure everyone at the University of Washington knew I was chasing Caleb.

Everyone assumed Caleb had no interest in me, that he couldn't even stand the sight of me.

What they didn't know was that for those seven years, we were tangled up in a passionate affair, and later, secretly married for three.

The only thing was, in the ten years I gave him my heart and soul, he never once publicly acknowledged me.

Five years after we separated, Caleb and I sat at the same table again at our university reunion in Seattle.

My best friend Sarah, whom I hadn't seen in years, leaned in and whispered in my ear, "Ava, are you still in love with Caleb?"

"The latest financial report just called Caleb the city's most eligible bachelor. You should shoot your shot again and win him over!"

I was about to deny it when the private room erupted in another wave of excitement.

A man in a custom-tailored suit moved through a wave of greetings, his presence radiating a quiet nobility. He sat down beside me.

"Ava, long time no see."

"How have the last five years been treating you?"

I lowered my gaze, a small smile playing on my lips. "Couldn't be better. My life is perfect without you in it."

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1

The silver fork beside Caleb's hand clattered to the floor.

The sharp sound echoed through the private room. My lighthearted words seemed to shatter his perpetually cold mask, a crack appearing on his frozen facade.

As the waiter replaced the silverware, he leaned closer.

"Ava..."

I shifted my chair, putting an arm's length between us.

Those deep eyes instantly dimmed.

"I'll drive you home after this."

"No, thanks."

I refused without a second thought.

"It's the rainy season in Seattle. Getting around on a bike share is going to be tough."

The rain outside showed no signs of stopping.

He was right, it wouldn't be easy to ride. It looked like I'd have to call my driver to pick me up.

"If you had accepted the settlement I offered, you wouldn't be scraping by like this."

I didn't know if he meant the divorce settlement or compensation for the two children I lost because of him.

After all, over the years, what he owed me was far more than just money.

I had been on an operating table twice because of him.

A wave of annoyance washed over me. I followed his gaze down to the damp stain on my pant leg.

Only then did I remember that on my way here, a black Maybach had splashed my entire side with dirty water.

So it *was* him.

He had a new car again. The tech mogul must have so much money he needed luxury cars for a tax write-off.

"I have an umbrella. Don't worry about it."

Caleb's eyes swept over me, and he sighed deeply. "Ava, don't always be so stubborn..."

"Caleb."

A saccharine voice cut him off. Everyone turned toward the sound.

Standing at the door was a woman in a light gray tailored suit, her delicate makeup accentuating her well-defined features.

Everyone exchanged glances, trying to guess the woman's identity.

Only I didn't even raise my head, continuing to savor the roasted lamb chops on my plate.

I'd been sleeping a lot lately and had only woken up in the afternoon.

I was starving; Sarah's call had rushed me out the door before I could even grab a bite to eat.

"Ava?"

Jessica gasped, grabbing my hand dramatically, her tone filled with theatrical surprise.

"What are you doing here? Caleb mentioned he had his reunion tonight—I was wondering if I'd see you!"

I gave a hollow laugh and discreetly pulled my hand away.

"And this is?"

Sarah, sitting next to me, finally couldn't help but ask. All eyes turned to Caleb.

"My fiancée, Jessica."

Caleb's words were brief, his tone unreadable.

So, even a man like Caleb could generously acknowledge his lover's identity.

A seven-year secret relationship, a three-year secret marriage.

So my ten years of devotion were nothing but a colossal joke.

At first, no one reacted, until someone mumbled congratulations, and the crowd slowly came back to life.

Jessica sat down next to Caleb, and the two of them accepted everyone's congratulations like a newlywed couple.

"Since I'm late, I really should take a penalty shot! But Caleb has forbidden me from drinking lately, so I'll have to toast you all with this instead."

Jessica was a natural at working the room.

Even though Caleb sat motionless, she held up her glass and toasted everyone present.

The atmosphere became boisterous.

In less than a few minutes, everyone began to fawn over her.

"By the way, I heard someone in your class chased Caleb for seven years. Who was it?"

"I'm so curious, who could be that patient?"

Jessica's eyes swept over everyone as she asked with a playful laugh.

I kept my head down, the smile on my lips long gone.

No one in the room responded. No one dared to even look at me. They were all afraid I would fly into a rage and flip the table.

Ever since I was a child, I was known for my explosive temper; I held a grudge and always got my revenge.

Except for Caleb, almost no one could handle me.

That was why during the years I pursued Caleb, almost no other girl dared to even talk to him.

"She couldn't make it today," Sarah jumped in, running interference for me.

"Oh? That's such a shame."

"I was hoping to send her our wedding invitation..."

Jessica feigned a regretful sigh, then draped herself over Caleb's arm, laughing.

Sarah's eyes went wide. "Does this woman have no shame?"

I watched Sarah savagely attack her food and let out a small laugh, pouring her some water so she wouldn't choke.

Sarah threw her arms around my arm. "Ava, my hope for you two is officially dead and buried!"

"Are you and Caleb really over for good?!"

Sarah gnashed her teeth as she looked at Jessica. I smiled. "It's not like we were never together."

Sarah's jaw dropped, her eyes wide with disbelief.

I turned to face Caleb, my eyes daring him to deny it.

"Isn't that right, Caleb?"