After graduating, I quietly applied for a position at the City Hall in his city, intending to surprise Charles Laurier and finally put an end to the miles that had stretched between us.

What I hadn’t foreseen was that on my very first day at work, fate would deal me a cruel hand. He walked in, arm-in-arm with his childhood sweetheart, Elsie Garcia, ready to register for their marriage certificate.

I didn’t lash out or crumble. Instead, I composed myself, stamped their certificate with steady hands and offered my blessings with a calm smile.

“Best wishes for a lifetime of happiness.”

——

Charles’s expression froze as his gaze landed on me. “Cecile Whitlock? What are you doing here?”

His voice trembled with shock, but his arm remained snug around Elsie’s slender waist as if the bond between them was unbreakable.

In my hand was the red booklet they had just handed me. On its cover, the gold logo gleamed brightly, but all I could see was the photo inside. Charles and Elsie leaned closely together, their smiles sweet and radiant, as if the universe revolved solely around their joy.

It felt like a blade had pierced through my chest, carving out a hollow ache that refused to subside. Yet, at work, I steeled myself, keeping every crack in my composure hidden beneath a mask of professionalism.

Feigning calm, I stamped both copies of their marriage certificate and slid them back across the counter. "I work here. Your certificates are ready.”

“Best wishes for a lifetime of happiness."

Charles’s expression faltered briefly, discomfort flickering in his eyes. He quickly covered it with an exaggerated look of surprise. “Why didn’t you tell me you were working here?”

I thought, for a fleeting moment, that my presence might have moved him until his next words cut through the air like an icy slap.

"If I had known, I would’ve picked a different time to bring Elsie here. Why did it have to be today of all days that we ran into you?"

My hands faltered mid-action, the words sinking in deeper than I anticipated. I hadn’t expected his voice to carry such indifference, much less his complaint.

Charles and I had been college classmates, with him a year ahead of me. When he graduated, he returned to his hometown to build his career, leaving us to navigate the trials of a long-distance relationship.

Determined to end the torment of separation, I sacrificed the prestigious job my family had arranged for me and worked tirelessly to secure employment in his city. I had dreamed of surprising him, picturing the joy in his eyes when we reunited. Instead, the surprise turned into a cruel twist of fate on the very day he married his childhood sweetheart.

Swallowing my heartbreak, I forced myself to focus on the waiting line behind them and gestured curtly to the side. “If there’s nothing else, please step aside. Other couples are waiting to register.”

Perhaps irritated by my cold demeanor, Charles’s voice turned sharp. “What kind of attitude is that? Be careful, or I’ll file a complaint about your poor service.”

He continued his words, cutting like a jagged blade. “And as for me marrying Elsie, there’s a reason for it. It all happened so suddenly that I didn’t have time to tell you. Don’t cause a scene here.”

Then, as if his words weren’t enough, he added with infuriating nonchalance, “I’ll take Elsie home first and then I’ll come back to pick you up after work.”

Gripping Elsie’s hand, he led her away, their heads leaning close as they admired their freshly issued marriage certificates.

Sensing my gaze, Elsie deliberately lifted the certificates to her lips. She kissed them, then shot me a smug, provocative smile.

My fists clenched involuntarily, my nails biting into my palms until the pain brought warmth and wetness.

Behind me, the couple waiting in line stared, their curiosity evident. One finally asked, “What’s the relationship between you three?”

Without lifting my head, I continued stamping papers and answered flatly, “My ex-boyfriend and his new wife.”

From the moment Charles and I began dating, Elsie’s name seemed to echo endlessly in our conversations.

“Elsie is my childhood friend, but we’re just like siblings. Nothing more.”

“Elsie said she’s spending Valentine’s Day alone tomorrow. It’s so pitiful, so I’ve booked a high-speed train to visit her. You’ll have to spend it by yourself.”

“This looks perfect. I’ll get one for Elsie.”

“Elsie…”

Her name was like a thorn in the fabric of our relationship, pricking me over and over. We had countless arguments because of her, each one chipping away at my patience. But no matter how angry I was, Charles always knew the words to pull me back.

“You’re different from Elsie. She’s just a friend. You’re the one I love.”

And every time, those words were enough to soften my heart and silence my doubts.

From the very beginning, Elsie had been the hidden landmine in my relationship with Charles, ticking silently beneath the surface. Today, that landmine finally detonated, shattering everything we had into irreparable ruins.

After work, I didn’t wait for Charles. I went straight back to the apartment I rented, craving solitude. It wasn’t until almost eight o’clock that he casually sent me a message. [Are you off work yet?]

I didn’t bother replying.

Out of idle curiosity, I opened my social media feed. I stumbled upon Charles’s latest update, a photo of a marriage certificate, glaringly devoid of a caption but brimming with unspoken truths.

The first comment was a heart emoji from Elsie, to which Charles promptly replied with the same symbol.

Mutual friends, oblivious to the truth, flooded the post with congratulations, assuming the certificate marked our marriage. Charles, true to form, stayed silent, neither confirming nor denying their mistaken beliefs.

I clicked the like button, my lips curling into a bitter smile.

Moments later, Astrid messaged me, her curiosity bubbling over. “Congratulations on your sudden marriage! You didn’t tell me today was the big day!”

Her excitement felt like salt on an open wound. I laughed dryly, the sound hollow and explained everything to her. Her response came in a flurry of sympathetic messages peppered with furious venting on my behalf.

"Honestly, I never held high hopes for your relationship with Charles," Astrid admitted.

"This might be a blessing in disguise. Cecile, you deserve far better."

Moments later, my phone buzzed. I assumed Astrid couldn’t resist calling to dig deeper, but when I answered, Charles’s angry voice cut through the line.

"Where are you right now?"

"Why didn’t you let me know after work? Didn’t I say I’d pick you up?"

I held the phone at arm’s length, his frustration grating on my nerves.

"It doesn’t take a genius to know that the civil affairs office doesn’t stay open until eight," I replied coolly. "And since it’s your wedding day, there’s no need to come chasing after me."

There was a pause, a heavy silence on the other end before Charles’s tone softened.

"Where are you staying now? Let me come over. I’ll explain everything; Elsie and I aren’t what you think."

Despite everything, I couldn’t let ambiguity linger. I gave him my address. What I didn’t expect was that he’d show up with Elsie in tow.

The moment she stepped inside, she clung to Charles, her presence practically suffocating. She barely said a word as Charles fussed over her, seating her carefully before bustling around my apartment like it was his own, pouring coffee and fetching water.

"Elsie’s been in a fragile state lately," he began, his tone full of forced concern. "She’s been heartbroken and struggling mentally. The psychologist said she needs constant support to prevent anything irreversible. Marrying her was the only way I could ensure she’d have someone to care for her. Don’t misunderstand; our relationship is strictly platonic."

He glanced at Elsie before turning back to me.

"You wouldn’t believe it. Just because you liked my post, Elsie convinced herself you were upset. She insisted on coming to apologize to you personally."

Elsie coughed softly, her pale face and delicate demeanor painting a portrait of fragility.

"It’s because of my condition that Charles married me," she murmured, her voice trembling just enough to tug at any unsuspecting heartstrings.

"Once I’m better, I’ll return Charles to you."

Despite her frail appearance, her tone carried a subtle, unyielding edge. Her act was convincing, but to anyone truly observing, the cracks in her performance were glaring, except, of course, for those who preferred to turn a blind eye.

I dismissed her offer swiftly.

"There’s no need for that," I said firmly.

Before I could utter another word, Charles slammed the coffee onto the table with a resounding thud.

"Cecile, what’s wrong with you?" he snapped, his voice cutting through the tension like a blade.

"Elsie dragged herself here, sick and exhausted, just to apologize to you. And yet you’re still acting dissatisfied. What more do you want from her?"

"Can’t you just let it go? Why do you have to compete with someone who’s ill?"

Charles’s words struck a nerve, but what stung more was the way his every thought revolved around Elsie. His unwavering devotion to her brought back a memory I had long buried.

I recalled the night I was struck by a searing pain in my abdomen while we were having dinner. The agony was so overwhelming that my vision blurred into a haze of white. Desperately, I had hoped he would rush me to the hospital. But then his phone buzzed.

Elsie had argued with her boyfriend and she needed him. Without hesitation, Charles left me sitting there, clutching my side in agony and walked out.

I somehow managed to drag myself to the hospital. By the time I stumbled into the emergency room, I was barely conscious. It wasn’t Charles who helped me; it was a friend who handled the paperwork and stayed by my side.

Not once during my hospital stay did Charles check-in. He never even asked how I was.

Looking at him now, I finally understood. The line between love and neglect had always been painfully clear; I had just refused to see it.

I met his eyes, steady and unwavering, as I spoke the words I had been holding back.

"I never wanted to compete," I said calmly. "There’s no competition here."

"You’re married to her now, so let’s put an end to this."

"I won’t let anyone think I was the one interfering in your marriage."

"Let’s break up."

Charles’s face drained of color, his shock evident as he stared at me, unable to fathom my words.

"It’s not what you think," he stammered, his voice betraying the panic that flickered in his eyes. "There’s nothing between Elsie and me. If you’re jealous, I can marry you too."

I let out a sharp, derisive laugh.

"That would make you guilty of bigamy," I retorted, my tone cold.