Sacrificing My Youth for a Short Marriage

After a fruitless standoff, James finally, half-coaxingly, opened the backseat door for me.

As the car started, the dust flew up, blocked my view, but I still caught a glimpse of Savannah walking into the office with a smile on her face.

I remained silent along the way.

He understood my temper and, perhaps sensing my concern, patiently explained. "Nicola, don't overthink it."

"She's drunk and carsick, so I let her sit in the front seat. She's my boss, though. I couldn't let her sit with those two big men, smelly."

As he spoke, he observed my expression through the rearview mirror.

Seeing a slight smile on my face, he breathed a sigh of relief.

"Potato chips, right? I'll have a friend buy them for you later. Buy ten boxes, okay?"

He was always forthcoming with his pampering.

So, I didn't argue with him again.

I was, after all, aware that James and Savannah were simply superiors and subordinates.

Until, a few days later, I received imported potato chips James had bought for me.

Happily unpacking, I casually answered a phone call for him.

A conspicuous female voice came through the receiver.

"Did you receive the chips? I went to great lengths to buy them."

"She's just a little girl, so it's not a big deal to coax her a little."

I froze, seeing the name "Savannah" on the caller ID.

Then I spoke with difficulty, "James is showering."

The other end remained silent for a moment before laughing heartily.

"Ah, Nicola! James often mentions you at work. I heard you're getting married soon. You must invite me to the wedding!"

Savannah's reaction was enthusiastic, but not so enthusiastic that I ignored something amiss.

So after James came out, I asked him, "Who bought these potato chips?"

He answered crisply, "Savannah."

"Don't overthink it. She's leaving soon. She's brought a box for each of her colleague."

She was indeed transferred to Therondia shortly thereafter.

After that, James began preparing for our wedding and I no longer had any doubts and fell into the bliss of stepping into the marriage hall.

Sadly, this happiness only lasted three months.

I rewatched the viral video several times and one thing became clear to me; James spent his time with Savannah in Therondia.

James got back from work.

He didn't act unusual and, as usual, brought me some fried food from my favorite place.

At dinner, I casually asked him, "How long have you been in Therondia?"

I then noticed his hand tremble in mid-air as he picked up the food.

But soon, he pretended to be indifferent and said, "Why did you suddenly ask this? It seems like it's been -27 days."

I nodded.

That was right.

However, as soon as I got his answer, I couldn't help but feel nauseous.

"I'm going to the bathroom."

I shut out his questioning voice outside the door, flopped down on the toilet and vomited.

When I got up, I held back the heartache and opened the recorded video from earlier.

I had scrolled through thousands of comments when I suddenly came across a comment with a picture and text from a Therondian IP.

The text read: [Twenty-seven days and I have no regrets.]

I felt an inexplicable sense.

I paused and enlarged the picture.

Under the blue sky and white clouds in Therondia, a pair of hands tightly held together.

A faint ring mark appeared on the man's ring finger.

But he didn't wear a ring.

Well, 27 days.

If he remembered it so clearly, then this time away from the routine of going to work and back home and without me, must have been quite carefree.