He recently hired a new secretary, and the two of them hit it off right away, talking and laughing like they’ve known each other forever. To celebrate her birthday, he ordered a huge, ten-layer cream cake. At the party, they smeared it all over the place, completely forgetting about my severe cream allergy.
The next thing I knew, I was in an ambulance on the way to the hospital. When I finally woke up, I realized I was done. I agreed to the arranged marriage my family set up for me, because honestly, I was tired of waiting around for something that wasn’t ever going to change.
…
My mom was a force of nature. The second I got home from the hospital and was about to unlock the door with my facial recognition, she bombarded me with a dozen wedding plans to choose from.
I scrolled through them all, but my eyes kept landing on the last message.
“Mom always knew you and Jason wouldn’t last. Anyone who actually wants to get married doesn’t string someone along for eight years. It’s not too late to snap out of it. I’ve had these wedding plans ready for a while.”
“The wedding’s in three days. No rush, take your time packing.”
It seemed like everyone could see the truth but me. I’d been trapped, tangled up in Jason’s empty promises.
“Mom, just pick whatever you like. I’m fine with anything. Keep it simple, though,” I replied.
Out of nowhere, Jason showed up behind me. When he heard the word “wedding,” he practically choked on his own shock.
“Wedding? What wedding?”
He tried to sneak a peek at my phone, but I quickly shoved it in my pocket. He reached for it, but just then, his phone rang.
The night was so still I could hear the panicked voice of a woman on the other end.
“Jason, I went downstairs to grab something, and I think someone’s following me! What should I do? I’m scared! I’ve been walking around the block and can’t shake him!”
Jason’s face shifted instantly, all concern.
“Don’t worry, Yvonne. Find a well-lit area. There should be someone at the security desk. Go wait there, I’ll be right over!”
After hanging up, he completely forgot about the wedding and bolted off without a second thought, just like that.
I stood there, completely unfazed.
Once he was gone, I called my aunt to say goodbye.
My parents had moved away ten years ago to focus on their business, so my aunt took care of me. Jason lived next door, and that’s how we met. When my aunt married and moved, I didn’t want to get in the way of her new life, so I moved in with Jason.
What was supposed to be “temporary” turned into eight years.
When my aunt found out I was getting married, she sounded surprised, but happy.
“Getting married? To Jason? About time! Eight years is a long time to wait, it’s good you’re finally doing this.”
I smiled wryly and shook my head.
“No, it’s an arranged marriage. I don’t even know the guy.”
She paused for a second, then asked, “Are you sure about this? I thought Jason was crazy about you. Why didn’t he ever propose? Should I talk to him?”
I laughed, brushing it off.
“Don’t bother. It wasn’t really dating. We’ve just been… kind of something for eight years. If I don’t end it now, I’ll waste my whole life.”
My aunt looked stunned, realizing we’d never been in an official relationship despite living together for so long. She stopped pressing me and just said she supported my decision.
Before I put my phone down to rest, I set a three-day countdown as a reminder.
The next day, I had my mom send a package of local specialties to my aunt as a thank you for everything over the years. And a goodbye.
By evening, a truck full of boxes finally pulled up. I told the driver to drop everything off at my aunt’s place. That’s when I ran into Jason, again.
