She Didn't Show on Our Big Day

Late-night Call

"What are you doing?" she screamed. Sophie lunged at the brazier, worry etched on her face. She tried to salvage the photos, but they were all burned to a crisp, and the flames roared higher.

She couldn't even get close. "Why did you do that?" Sophie glared at me, and her eyes were red with rage. I could hear the tremble in her voice. Perhaps it was not an act. Perhaps she really did feel that way. Perhaps.

Even so, the only urge I had was to laugh. She cherished the pictures so much, yet she couldn't care less about my feelings. Ironic.

Impassively, I grabbed the photos she was holding and tossed them into the flames. "Keeping the photos of the one you fell out of love with is a bit weird, don't you think?"

Sophie froze. "You're still mad about what happened that day?"

Before I could say anything, she screamed, "What do you want? I've explained myself, and I promised we'll get that license in a couple of days! What more do you want from me?"

Compared to her rage, I was calm. I smirked. "Then, these photos have no reason to stay. We can go on a trip after we get married. We can get a lot of wedding photos by then."

My sudden change came out of nowhere. It stunned Sophie for a moment, and she repeated what I said. "Trip…"

Then, something struck her, and she nodded. "Fine. Fabian wanted to go on a trip anyway. We can do it together."

My heart was already dead enough. What she just said added another wound to it. All she could think of was Fabian, no matter what the conversation. Even though it was supposed to be a trip for the two of us, she wanted him to tag along.

'Typical Sophie,' I thought, and I cursed my stupidity. I couldn't believe I expected more from her when I knew her true colors.

It was late at night, and Sylvie called me. "I'm going to bid for our wedding rings, and when I get them, I want you to wear them around my finger."

She sounded cheeky and a little less like her usually sophisticated self. I said yes immediately.

Then, silence. Moments later, Sylvie grumbled, "Do you have anything you want to tell me?"

I mused over the matter and heaved a sigh. "I do, but it can wait until you're back."

"Fine by me." Another pause later, Sylvie asked, "You do know what marriage means, don't you?"

Loyalty. I knew what she was worried about. After all, her sister used to be my whole world, and Sylvie was worried I might betray her. "I do."

I added, "But I chose to marry you. I will not pay any attention to any other woman."

"Good. I can't wait for the day we meet."

That cheered Sylvie up, and she hung up.

After coming out of the shower, I noticed an email in my inbox. It was an invitation to a music conference.

For once, I got excited. Music was my dream, but I gave it up to help Sophie's career and joined her team instead. Now that I had another chance, I refused to let it slip away.