Sorry, but You're Not My Groom

Pausing, I looked up at him and asked, "By myself? You're not coming with me?"

Isaac sighed lamentably and said, "I've got too much on my plate at work right now. I can't leave. I'll join you next time, okay?"

Well, there wasn't going to be a next time, Isaac.

Bending down, I continued to bandage his hand while saying, "I might not be able to take leave from work."

"Don't worry about that. I'll handle it for you."

"But I don't feel like going," I insisted.

However, Isaac's tone left no room for discussion as he said, "Don't be stubborn. I've already booked everything. There's no way to get a refund."

Though I said nothing, I felt my heart turning cold. I had woken up in the middle of the night last night and overheard Isaac on a call with someone else.

"I don't plan on telling her. I'll keep it from her as long as I can. Just to be safe, I'll arrange for her to go on a trip during the wedding."

The person on the other end of the line sighed and said, "What, then? Are you going to make her your mistress?"

Isaac stayed silent for what felt like ages as he slowly puffed his cigarette. Eventually, he said, "Whatever happens next, I'll just have to take things one step at a time."

Lying on the bed, I felt an excruciating pain in my chest. Tears pooled in my eyes. I felt like the last seven years I had spent with Isaac had all been for nothing. After all these years, I still couldn't understand him.

If he didn't love me anymore, why couldn't he just tell me? Why did he choose to lie to me instead? Was he afraid I would cling onto him and refuse to give him up? Was that why he resorted to such methods to make sure I stayed away during his wedding?

He didn't need to make life so difficult for himself.

I was going to do as Isaac wished. I was going to disappear from his life for good.

"When do I leave?" I asked Isaac.

"In two days."

Smiling, I replied, "Alright. I'll go."

A noticeable exhale of relief escaped Isaac. He instinctively reached out to stroke my hair, but I wordlessly avoided his touch.

He was briefly startled, but he immediately smiled and said, "Let's have a meal together before you leave."

After thinking about it, I nodded in agreement. Tomorrow happened to be our 7th anniversary, so I figured I might as well bid him a proper goodbye. I would lay out the cards on the table and let the relationship come to an end on the very day it began.

…

The very next day, I arrived early at the restaurant Isaac booked. Isaac showed up this time, but he had Jenny with him.

"Hi, Victoria! Mr. Emerson and I were at a business meeting nearby, so I decided to tag along. I won't be interrupting anything, right?" Jenny chirped.

I shook my head, feeling only a tad bit disappointed. It looked like I wouldn't be able to have a proper goodbye meal with Isaac, after all.

He ordered for the table, but everything was rather bland. Seeing this, Jenny laughed and said, "Why did you only order the least seasoned food available, Mr. Emerson? I don't think Victoria will like such bland-tasting food."

"You're on your period, so you can't have anything that's too salty or spicy," Isaac replied indifferently.

He even asked the waiter to take away the ice-cold milkshake in front of Jenny and get her a mug of warm ginger tea instead. Pouting, Jenny grumbled that he was being too controlling.

Isaac rapped her on the forehead affectionately and said, "If I don't keep an eye on you, you'll start crying once you get cramps."

Jenny stuck her tongue out at him, saying, "That's an exaggeration! You just care about me too much."

The two of them exchanged their sweet banter before me, as if they were alone in the room. I watched in silence, feeling nothing.

We were in the middle of the meal when all of a sudden, there was a commotion outside. Someone was yelling that the place was on fire. Everyone jumped to their feet and hurried toward the exit. As soon as I stood up, I saw a figure dashing off beside me.

I watched as Isaac held Jenny protectively in his arms and hurriedly brought her out to safety. For a moment, I was reminded of an 18-year-old boy who did the same thing—but at the time, I was the one he fearlessly protected in his embrace.

Once safely outside, Isaac finally realized the situation. He looked around and spotted me standing nearby. Eyes somewhat dazed, he tried to explain, "I was just too panicked earlier. I didn't mean to—"

Cutting him off, I said with a smile, "It's fine. I understand."

…

Soon, it was time for me to embark on the trip Isaac booked for me. I had already packed all my suitcases. Once I was certain that not a single trace of me remained in the house, I hauled my suitcase and left without looking back.

I didn't go on the trip, of course. I went back to my parents' place. After all, it was almost time for me to get married.

Isaac was too busy accompanying Jenny as she tried on wedding gowns to pay any attention to my whereabouts.

In the blink of an eye, it was my wedding day, and also the first time I met my future husband, Henry.

I had to admit that Mom and Dad were excellent judges of character. Henry was a lot more handsome in person than he appeared in his photos. He was flawless in both his features and his physique.

The bridal party was pretty grand, too. Once I got into the car, the bridal convoy set off. We chanced across another bridal party, and as was customary in our city when this happened, the cars stopped to let the brides exchange bouquets as a form of mutual well-wishing.

When the car window was lowered, Isaac and I locked gazes from the two separate cars. His eyes widened in shock, and his voice trembled with disbelief as he exclaimed, "Vicky? How can it be you?"