Divorced, Unnoticed

Only when the living room lights came on did Dana finish gathering every pearl.

She held on to the couch and pushed herself up, then dragged herself up the stairs. Just as she reached the end of the stairs, faint sounds drifted from the master bedroom.

A woman's soft moans, tangled with a man's rough panting, struck right into Dana's heart. All the blood in her body seemed to freeze as her fingertips turned cold, and she leaned against the wall.

"Gary, be gentle..."

"Keep your voice down."

"We're getting married tomorrow, anyway. What's there to be afraid of?"

In the sharp rhythm of bodies clashing against the bed, Sandy asked in a hoarse voice, "When are we going to the Clerk's Office to get our marriage certificate?"

"In a few days."

The pain in Dana's chest and stomach was twisting and turning, making her almost want to puke.

He had said the wedding was just for show, yet he had already slept with Sandy.

He had promised she would be the only woman in his life, but that promise had become a lie.

Dana clenched her fists, her nails digging deep into her palms, and she walked back to the guest room one slow step at a time.

The moment she closed the door, her tears were finally free to roll down.

But the sounds from the master bedroom felt like a demon's murmur. They seeped through the door and went on all night, keeping her staring at the ceiling until morning.

-

Early next morning, noises came from downstairs.

Dana stepped out of her room and saw Gary in a groom's suit, carefully helping Sandy in a white dress down the stairs.

Kelly, dressed in pink as the bridesmaid, bounced around them. "You're finally getting married! Gary, Sandy, I hope you stay happy forever!"

Dana watched them go down the stairs together, the man's gentle gaze, the woman's shy smile, and the young woman's excited expression formed a dazzling picture that shut her completely out.

Tears rolled down without warning and fell on the cold floor without a sound.

Gary suddenly turned around, as if he could feel it, and saw Dana with tears streaming down her face. His eyes narrowed, and a sharp pain flickered in his eyes.

The next second, he suddenly let go of Sandy, ignoring the looks behind him as he ran upstairs and stopped in front of Dana. His voice edged with a trace of panic as he asked her, "Are you going out?"

"To the Clerk's Office." Dana's voice was hoarse.

Gary froze. He clearly did not expect that answer. Then, he frowned. "You're going to the Clerk's Office to apply for remarriage?"

Dana stayed silent, her eyes lowered.

He then said in a casual tone, "Submit the documents first for today. When I get back, we'll go pick up the certificate."

Dana nodded.

Gary let out a breath and even showed a rare smile. When he turned to go back to Sandy, he could not help looking at Dana one more time.

The warmth in his eyes felt especially mocking to her.

He swept Sandy up into his arms and carried her toward the bridal car at the entrance.

Sandy lifted her head as she lay resting in Gary's arms. She then glanced at Dana on purpose and smiled in open triumph.

Dana stood where she was and watched them disappear. Then, she wiped the tears from her face and headed for the Clerk's Office.

She quickly received the reissued divorce certificate, the red seal on it looking especially bright.

Her fingertips brushed over her own name. Instead of the pain she had imagined, she felt a sense of freedom.

She slipped the divorce certificate into her purse and went straight to the airport.

As the plane lifted off, the city below grew smaller and smaller.

In her mind, Dana whispered, "Gary, we'll never meet ever again."