- 3.
When we got there, a crowd of people rushed
over.
I was pushed aside, slamming my lower back
L
against a table corner.
Sierra walked up, wearing a goddamn
wedding dress.
“Chad, today’s our hundred–day anniversary.”
“I don’t want expensive gifts. I just want to
take some wedding photos with you, like I
secretly married you in my heart.”
She said it with such sincerity.
Not just Chad, everyone was touched.
Chad rushed over and hugged her tight. “I
promise!”
Photographers with giant cameras surrounded
them.
Recording every moment of their happiness.
I looked down and laughed.
When Chad and I got married, he said we
should keep it simple.
I didn’t care about fancy stuff. I just wanted a
wedding photo, to remember how happy we
were.
く
Chad said he was too busy.
Four years went by.
Then we were getting divorced.
Then I was watching him take wedding
photos with another woman.
Then I finally understood.
Chad hadn’t just changed. He’d never really
loved me in the first place.
My grand, passionate love story?
Just a fling for some playboy.
A voice broke through my thoughts.
“Mr. Lancaster, you and your wife are so cute
together. Still like newlyweds after all these
years!”
Chad frowned, his arm still around Sierra.
His eyes found me in the crowd.
“You’re mistaken. That’s my wife.”
The party went silent.
Everyone stared at me, whispering.
“This Mrs. Lancaster has a lot of patience.
Watching her husband with another
woman…”
“I remember when Chad was chasing after
her. What happened?”
I just smiled.
What was there to say?
Newer is always better.
There’s no such thing as a reformed bad boy.
Only lies and betrayal.
Ignoring the whispers, I looked at Chad.
“The wedding photos look great. If you don’t
need me, I’ll head back. The living room is
empty, you can hang them there.”
That empty space was where I’d planned to
put our family portrait.
But Mom was gone.
And someone else would be moving into that
house soon.
Chad stared, then started to come after me,
but Sierra stopped him.
<
“Chad, you promised…”
He hesitated, then stayed with Sierra.
He sent me a text, like that would make it
better.
“I’ll go home and be with you after I make
Sierra happy.”
“Be good, make dinner, and wait for me. I
want your lotus root and pork rib soup.”
Lotus root and pork rib soup…
My eyes welled up.
Mom taught me how to make that. Even Chad
loved it.
But I’d never have it again.
