On the day we were supposed to get our marriage license, my boyfriend's childhood friend insisted on coming along. She said she wanted to be there for our happy moment. But as we waited in line, she suddenly fainted. Right there, my boyfriend intertwined his fingers with hers, giving her CPR. When the ambulance arrived, without a second glance at me, he accompanied her on the way to the hospital.

That evening, she posted on Instagram, "Only Joel truly cares for me, always putting me first," along with a selfie of them cheek-to-cheek. I pulled out my phone and sent a message to Professor Washington: "Professor Washington, is the plan to study abroad still an option?"

---

A cold wind swept through, and I shivered involuntarily, staring at the marriage certificate in my hand. This was the fifth time Joel Porter had failed to show at the marriage registry. Each time, his excuses sounded plausible. But this time, I finally felt completely let down. I quietly returned the certificate to my bag.

When I got home, my phone started buzzing with messages from Joel. But I couldn't bring myself to respond. Every message revolved around Johanna.

"Johanna isn't feeling well. She's craving the stew you make. Start cooking now, and I'll pick it up later."

"Johanna's staying overnight at the hospital. She's not great with germs. Head to the department store and buy her some clothes—no budget brands, she's not like you, who wears anything."

"Oh, and go by to pick up her laundry. You're used to this kind of stuff, so handling a couple more items won't matter."

"Johanna's scared of the dark. I'm worried about her being alone at the hospital, so I'll be staying there tonight."

A wave of discomfort washed over me as I read through the messages. After a brief glance, I powered off my phone. Just like Joel said, he spent the entire night with Johanna. It wasn't until the next day that he came home, a grocery bag in one hand and a phone in the other, smiling as he walked into the kitchen, unaware of me lying on the sofa.

In five years of dating, he'd never once made a meal for me. Was he really going to cook today? He washed the vegetables while chatting away with Johanna on speakerphone. Sitting in the living room, I heard every word. Johanna's sugary voice came through from the other end.

"Joel, you aren't mad at me, are you? It's all my fault for being unwell, messing things up for you and Aylin."

"And you kissed me in front of everyone. Aylin must hate me now."

"If you two break up because of me, it'll be on me."

Her fake sobs followed. Joel, hearing her supposed distress, quickly comforted her.

"Johanna, don't blame yourself. You fainted unexpectedly; it wasn't your fault."

When he mentioned me, his tone took on a condescending edge.

"What right does Aylin have to be angry? She should be thankful for the chance to marry me. We've been together for five years, and she's nearing 30. Who else would want her?"

"Relax, she loves me to bits. I'd tell her to jump, and she'd ask how high. Don't blame yourself, or I'll be upset."

As I listened, I clenched my fists. I had been with him since I was 21, and now I was 26. Five prime years, all spent on Joel. Friends who started relationships after me were married with kids, and I've lost track of the weddings I've attended. They often teased me, asking when Joel would marry me. Each time, I could only laugh it off.

I had asked Joel when he’d marry me, only to be told over and over to wait. This year, he finally said he'd choose a day for our license. But ultimately, it turned out to be empty words.

Joel Porter, if you never intended to marry me, why did you bother getting involved with me in the first place?

The aroma of dinner wafted from the kitchen, and Joel strolled out looking pleased. His gaze landed on me, sitting quietly on the couch in the living room, decorated for Thanksgiving. Immediately, his bright eyes turned dark.

"Aylin, are you sitting here like a ghost to scare me half to death?" he exclaimed as if accusing me. I didn't answer; I just stayed silent.

Seeing my somber expression, he only got more upset. "What, have you lost your voice now? Or are you planning how to start a fight with me?" He paused, anticipating a comeback. "I texted and called you all night to ask you to help Johanna yesterday, but you ignored me. Do you know she was in tears, thinking she messed up? You ought to apologize to her."

Joel's favoritism toward Johanna was something I was used to. Whenever Johanna was involved, he never failed to side with her, completely disregarding my feelings. Because of Johanna, we’d argued countless times, yet his words would eventually coax me back.

He always insisted that I was his girlfriend, and Johanna was just his childhood friend, more like a sister to him. She’d grown up without much love or attention due to her parents’ divorce, so I should be understanding. "Love isn’t easy; cherish what you have," he’d say, and I'd forgive him over and over.

But this time, I refused to forgive. My moral boundaries had been crossed too many times, and now I'd had enough. I snorted softly, breaking the silence.

"You want me to apologize to her? To someone sabotaging someone else's relationship, and I have to apologize?" He looked surprised, as if he hadn't expected me to stand up for myself.

He quickly grew angrier. "Aylin, why are you being so harsh? What if Johanna hears you and gets upset?"

"She fainted yesterday, and I stepped in as her friend to help her, didn't I?" He made their actions sound so noble, which was ridiculous.

When Johanna fainted, there was a medical student named Hudson present. After checking her, he assured everyone she was fine, but Joel insisted on doing mouth-to-mouth. The student offered to help, given his training, but Joel pushed him aside. "Johanna doesn’t like strangers touching her; only I can."

That scene broke my heart. Everyone looked at me like I was the intruder. I met Joel’s gaze squarely, my voice chillingly calm. "So watching your boyfriend kiss another woman right in front of everyone, I'm not allowed to be upset? Joel, isn't that a bit much?"

The air felt heavy, and breathing became hard. I turned to leave for the bedroom, but Joel suddenly wrapped his arms around me from behind, resting his chin on my shoulder, his warm breath close.

"Alright, Aylin, stop this. I know you care about me. If what I did bothered you, I won’t do it again." His sudden change in tone was unsettling, and knowing him, he was definitely about to ask for something. As expected, I wasn’t wrong.