Part 3Her Other Marriage Certificate

“…Lucas.”

A complex emotion flickered in Chloe’s eyes, and she swallowed whatever she was about to say. Her eyes grew redder, and fat tears began to roll down her cheeks like pearls.

My entire life, I had done everything in my power to make her happy, to never let her shed a single tear. I believed that to love someone was to strive for their happiness, no matter the personal sacrifice.

But now, I watched her cry without a flicker of emotion, my heart turned to stone. “Miss Collins, if you didn't hear me clearly, I can repeat myself. We are over.”

I turned and went to my room to pack my clothes.

Chloe snatched the clothes from my hands and threw her arms around me, holding on so tightly it felt like she was trying to merge our bodies into one. Her voice was a hoarse, panicked whisper. “I’m sorry, I’m sorry, I’m sorry! Lucas, I’m so sorry.”

I was so tired of hearing ‘sorry.’ I just wanted to be done right by.

“Lucas, I’m begging you, please don’t leave me. You know I love you. I love you so, so much.”

“Didn’t you promise my grandmother on her deathbed that you would take care of me for the rest of your life, that you would never leave me?”

“Just wait for me for three months. After three months, I’ll be yours again, okay?”

She looked up at me, her eyes shimmering with tears, the picture of pitiable beauty.

Without hesitation, I pried her hands off me. As her eyes widened in panic, I slowly shook my head.

“Chloe, you say you love me, but you married Cole. So why should I wait for you?”

“Is it because you’re so sure that I love you that you feel you can do whatever you want?”

She froze, then shook her head, tears streaming down her face. “No, it’s not like that…”

Just then, her phone rang.

She saw Cole’s name on the screen and quickly wiped her tears, forcing a smile. “Hey, sweetie. What’s wrong? You don’t like the suit for the groom?”

“Don’t worry, I’ll be right there to help you pick one out. For the wedding tomorrow, you’re going to be the most handsome groom in the world.”

“I love you, Cole!”

She hung up.

She looked at me again, her eyes pleading. “Lucas, you used to always go along with whatever I wanted.”

“Why have you become so fragile? You can’t handle even a little bit of hardship?”

“Besides, even though I’m marrying him, I will never sleep with him. I’ll keep myself pure for you. After he’s gone, I’ll spend the next few decades with you, have your children. Isn’t that enough?”

“Lucas, I love him, but I love you, too! Please don’t make this so hard for me, okay?”

It was so absurd I almost laughed. She claimed it was hard, but she had made her choice without a moment’s hesitation, and now she was trying to justify it.

I wanted a love that was exclusive. Even an emotional affair was a betrayal. It was just as dirty.

“You have to come to the wedding tomorrow!” she said. “I want you to see me at my most beautiful.”

“Our wedding can be just like this, okay?”

Without waiting for my answer, she rushed out the door to find Cole.

The moment the door closed, I took the photo of us from my wallet, flicked open a lighter, and held the flame to the corner.

Eleven years of love, as fragile as this photograph.

It went up in flames in an instant.

I let go, watching our youth turn to ash, and let her fly free.

Sitting on the floor, I lit another cigarette and looked at the anonymous text that had just come through on my phone.

“Don’t forget to come to my wedding with Chloe, Lucas. Even though I’m dying, I still won.”

It had to be Cole.

The old me would have flown into a rage.

Now, I just stared at the screen, my face blank, and typed a single word in reply.

“Okay.”