Shortlived Happiness

Right before my wedding, my fiancé, Benjamin Gray, holds another wedding at an old settlement with his true love, who has lung cancer.

He holds Jennifer Robinson close and smiles tenderly at her underneath the starry sky. "According to the local customs here, the woman whose wedding is held first is considered a man's actual wife. I might have already registered my marriage with Samantha, but she's more like my mistress."

Everyone cheers and blesses them as they toast each other and enter their room for the night.

I witness all of this, but I don't cry or kick up a fuss. Instead, I make an appointment for an abortion.

I've loved Benjamin for 15 years, but I still can't compare to Jennifer, who is my stepsister.

If that's the case, I'll let him go.

Later, I join a geological exploration and research team in the South Isles and am cut off from the world. All I leave behind is a divorce agreement and a divorce gift.

Benjamin has never cared for me, so it's odd that he loses his mind overnight after my departure.

I stood on a flight of steps leading to an old settlement as it rained on me. I watched silently as Benjamin Gray, my fiancé, stood before Jennifer Robinson, who wore a wedding gown. Per local custom, he leaned close and passed her a heart-shaped pendant that he was biting.

She shyly caught it with her mouth. Before she could do anything else, he pulled her into his arms and kissed her passionately. The friends and family surrounding them cheered and whooped at the sight.

The kiss went on for close to ten minutes. Jennifer almost couldn't stand up when it ended, and Benjamin panted as he pulled away from her.

The fall breeze lifted the chiffon curtains that framed the entrance to the old settlement. Only then did I see that my friends and family were also present.

My brother, Hector Monroe, who I'd once protected with my life, was even the host of the wedding. He wore local traditional robes, and all he could see was Jennifer, who was actually our stepsister.

He'd long since forgotten that Jennifer and her mother, Lisa Stone, had once tried to kill us by sending us to a so-called correctional facility.

"Let us wish Benjamin and Jennifer all the happiness in the world and a wonderful life together!" he cried.

As soon as the words were out of his mouth, the villagers watching the ceremony set off fireworks that had been prepared beforehand.

As the fireworks exploded in the sky, filling it with color, Benjamin lifted Jennifer into his arms bridal-style.

This sight made Hector's excitement peak. He shouted, "The ceremony is complete. Let us watch as the happy couple enter their room to consummate the marriage!"

A suffocating loneliness washed over me as I watched everything play out. It deafened me to the noise and celebrations before me.

I pulled out my phone and called Hector.