I Planned My Girlfriend's Wedding to Another Man

Hugo clutched his chest while gasping for air but there was a flicker of smug satisfaction danced in his eyes.

Karen supported him and cursed at me, "Are you that petty? Can you take responsibility if his condition worsens?"

"Do you think everyone’s like you? Acting like the world revolves around you just because you got injured?" she shouted.

"Karen, maybe you should stay with Sam. He’s struggling with the after-effects of the accident and he must be in pain."

Hugo's fake concern obviously hit Karen's nerves because she shook her head firmly and snapped, "He brought this on himself. He always tries to be a hero. He didn't even ask me if I wanted him to save my life in the first place anyway."

I was stunned. I had to undergo three surgeries after I saved Karen in that accident. As a result, my body was covered with many scars and permanent damage. My right leg even had permanent numbness because of that.

At that time, she would lose her life, if I had not stood in front of her.

At that critical moment, while the force of impact rushed towards us, I was thinking about every detail of my proposal plan. I had everything set up, waiting for her to discover my surprise.

Unfortunately, fate had other plans for us.

I nearly ended up being disabled and the engagement ring vanished amidst the chaos. My proposal plan was abruptly cut short.

In the ICU, with bandages wrapped tightly around my head, I woke up to her tearful eyes and her trembling voice, "Sam, if you make it through this, can we be together?"

I did not want her to make a hasty decision out of guilt or feel morally obligated to stay with me, so after my recovery, I suggested we break up.

When it came to getting married, I gave her the freedom to choose. She said she couldn’t handle the judgment and the label of being "married". I respected her decision and agreed with her condition.

So, even though we were husband and wife, only a handful of people knew about the fact.

However now, she was accusing me of being selfish and uncaring.

I angrily retorted, "Do you really think that I was trying to play a hero? Should I have just let you get hurt? I clearly remember that I had given you a choice back then…."

Karen cut me off with a growing confidence when she heard my words, "Are you seriously blaming me? I’ve already tolerated so much by staying at your side. What more do you want from me?"

I laughed bitterly, feeling a sense of absurdity with all of these. "Is that really how you’ve always seen it?"

Karen answered, "Well, it's the truth, I’ve put up with so much for your sake. Besides, this wedding is just a formality. Did you have to make such a scene?" She continued. "You just want to keep me tied down, don't you? Maybe you even planned the accident, so I’d feel guilty and stay with you, a disabled man, for the rest of my life."

I stared at her with widened eyes as disbelief washed over me. I could not believe my ears that the person I loved accused me of such a twisted scheme.

I did not have any recollection of how I left the hospital or how I ended up at home. When I looked down and saw the blood soaking through my pants, I rolled up my trouser leg to find my skin torn and bleeding.

The post-accident complications left my right leg numb and devoid of muscle strength or sensation. When the nerve pain flared, I wished I could just cut it off.

The image of Karen and Hugo leaving together was still fresh in my mind. I pounded my fist against the wall. I was suddenly feeling powerless in a marriage that was crumbling.

At two o’clock in the morning, the sound of the door creaking open pulled me back from my thoughts as Karen walked in. Her expression was softer than before.

She then said, "Sam, I know you’re still mad at me. I was in the wrong too, but Hugo’s time is running out. I can’t just leave him alone. I know you’ll understand in the end."

Her tone became even gentler, "I know you’re upset. How about we go get our marriage certificate tomorrow? That should put your doubts to rest."

I turned away, unwilling to meet her gaze, but deep down, her words gave me a small sense of comfort. Maybe she did still care about me and maybe we could mend the rift between us.

The next morning, we arrived early at the Civil Registry office. However, when our number was called, Karen became restless.

She said, "Hugo needs me. There is something wrong with him and he has no one else he can rely on here. I have to go to him."

"We’re about to be called. If he’s sick, he should see a doctor. You going there won’t help." I tried to reason with her with a calm and rational voice as the feeling of unease fell over me. "Besides, you promised we’d get our marriage certificate today."

"Are you kidding me?" she snapped. "We can get a marriage certificate any time. Why can you understand what is the most important?"

After that, I tried to call her numerous times and sent countless text messages but all of them left unanswered.

I was disappointed. I should have known for a long time for this result.

Ever since Hugo returned to Kimora Nation, Karen had been pulled away from this marriage. Over time, they were getting closer and she made a conscious effort to conceal her relationship with me.

The weight of her past love for him was undeniable and she had shown that his needs were more important than mine more than once.

On a freezing winter day, I waited alone in the cold for three hours with a cake that I bought for her to exchange for her smile, while she was happily licking snow off Hugo's hand on the roadside and declaring herself the happiest woman in the world.

They even planned a honeymoon, something Karen and I never had.

Maybe she once loved me, but that was just a fantasy I held onto when I was at death’s door.

Now, it was time for me to leave with whatever dignity I had left.