A Wedding That's Forever on Hold

Andrew dragged me out of my supervisor's office and grumbled, "Ivy, are you throwing a tantrum again? When will you finally learn to be a little more understanding?

"I didn't want to cancel the wedding two days ago. But Selena was there as a guest to celebrate with us, so how could I not take care of her when she suddenly had an allergic reaction and passed out?"

I calmly replied, "I'm not mad. It's only right that you took care of her."

Once again, Andrew was stunned. He stared at me and mumbled, "Why are you suddenly this understanding? If you're mad, why are you resigning?"

"Because I found a job I'm really excited about."

I'd studied medicine for years to help those in need, so I was thrilled to join Doctors without Borders.

But his expression darkened. "You can't resign yet. Selena just had an allergic reaction at our wedding, and we had to call it off. If you quit your job now, she might think you're upset with her. She's an orphan, so she's naturally more sensitive."

His words were a bucket of cold water dumped over my excitement. Just to spare Selena's feelings, I had to give up the career I truly loved.

Perhaps the disappointment on my face was too obvious because Andrew softened his tone and continued, "Just hang in there a little longer, okay? Once we finish the wedding, I'll support you no matter what you want to do."

Even now, he still wanted to go through with the wedding, but I was too tired to hold out any longer.

When I said nothing, Andrew took my silence as agreement. After all, I'd never said no to anything he asked for in our relationship.

"Alright. Don't be upset. Shall we go on a date tonight?" he asked, reaching for my hand. We once promised that no matter how badly we fought, we'd always go on our dates with a smile.

"Sure," I said. I hoped this relationship could at least end on a beautiful note.

But Selena appeared again and cut in. "Andrew, help me. The old man in bed 8 keeps staring at me like a creep. Could you come and do his check-up for me instead?"

I shot her a cold look.

Selena was a nurse, and if she had a problem at work, she should report it to the head nurse. This was clearly another stunt just to win Andrew's sympathy.

If it were in the past, I might have called her out on it. But now, I didn't care anymore.

Andrew hesitated and glanced at me, as if asking for my permission. He never used to ask for my opinion before.

I sensibly replied, "Selena is an orphan, so people take advantage of her easily. As her senior, it's only right for you to help."

Andrew gave me several glances as he left, almost as if he couldn't believe how much I'd changed.

Selena reached for my hand. "You're such a good person, Ivy. Thank you for letting me borrow your fiance like that."

I tried to ignore her, but she refused to let go. "Oh, wow! Our necklaces look like a matching set!"

I glanced at the necklace around her neck and instantly felt a sharp jolt of pain. Her necklace was shaped like a key, while mine was a lock.

Back when I set everything aside and followed Andrew to this unfamiliar city, he had these couple necklaces custom-made.

He made me promise that only he would have the key to my heart and vowed to wear the necklace forever, just like how he'd love me forever.

But now, that same necklace was on another woman. Nothing could get more ironic than that.

I took mine off and handed it to Selena. "Well, mine's yours now. Looks like they do belong together."

…

Andrew came to pick me up for our date after work. At a glance, he noticed I wasn't wearing my necklace and grabbed my hand in a panic.

"Where's your necklace?" he asked. "We promised never to take it off for the rest of our lives."

I looked at his neck. He wasn't wearing his either, so how could he expect me to do that?

He smiled a little guiltily. "I'm sorry. I lost mine."

I smiled. "What a coincidence. I lost mine too."

"I'll get you a new one then," he said, looking relieved.