The Other "I Do"

On the day we were supposed to get married, my girlfriend blew me off again, saying she was too busy.

When I got home, there was a marriage certificate waiting for me in the mailbox—hers and her male assistant's. The date filed was today.

I gave a small, bitter smile, set the certificate down on my desk, turned around, and ended things with her.

The next second, my phone rang.

Her annoyed voice came through right away.

"Patrick, what is your problem? Why are you throwing a tantrum? You're a grown man—act like one."

Before I could even say anything, I heard her assistant sobbing in the background.

"Olivia, do you think Patrick got the wrong idea? You should go home. I'll be fine on my own."

"Forget about him. He always pulls stuff like this—I'm so tired of it. You're the one who matters right now."

The sound of my girlfriend gently comforting another man cut right through me.

The call ended, and so did any last shred of hope I had left.

I was packing my suitcase, getting ready to move out, when my girlfriend Olivia Ranch walked in, carefully holding up her assistant, Shawn Keiffer.

"Patrick, hurry up and make some sweet soup. Shawn's blood sugar dropped—he passed out earlier."

Olivia's eyes were locked on Shawn, her face full of worry. Without even glancing at me, she tossed the order my way.

I gave them a quick look.

Unlike before, I didn't jump to greet her or rush to do what she asked. I just kept packing.

When I didn't respond, Olivia finally frowned and looked up.

"Patrick, can you not understand basic—"

She stopped cold when she saw the suitcase in my hand.

Her expression darkened as she walked over.

"Patrick, what is this supposed to mean? You're really packing because you want to break up with me?"

I didn't stop what I was doing and answered casually, "What, you thought I was joking?"

"You—" She choked on my indifferent tone, her eyes going cold as she glared at me.

"What about me?"

I curled my lips into a smirk and glanced over at Shawn.

"You've already brought your husband home. I should clear out and make space for him, shouldn't I?"

"Patrick, I—what are you talking about? I don't understand!"

Olivia's panic was obvious. Her eyes started darting around guiltily.

I let out a cold laugh and threw the marriage certificate right in her face.

"Olivia, is this fun for you? You had the nerve to do it, but now you don't have the guts to admit it?"

The moment she saw the two marriage certificates, she completely lost it.

Humiliated and furious, she snapped, "Patrick, what kind of game are you playing? How did you get these?!"

I just looked at her with a cold smile and said nothing.

In the tense silence, Shawn suddenly spoke up, his voice shaking.

"Olivia… that was my fault. I mailed them to the wrong address by accident. Because you registered the marriage with me, Patrick is upset now. This is all on me."

As he talked, he started sniffling softly.

"Shawn, this isn't your fault."

Olivia's expression shifted instantly. She rushed over to him, full of concern, and carefully guided him further into the apartment.

"Since you already know, fine—I won't hide it anymore. Shawn was diagnosed with terminal stomach cancer two days ago. He doesn't have much time left. His last wish was to marry me.

"You know he's been with me ever since we graduated. He's always helped me carry the load and solved my problems. He's not just my assistant—he's my friend. I can't just stand by while a friend suffers.

"Once Shawn… once this is all over, you and I can register our marriage too. Patrick, you understand me, don't you?"

Olivia looked at me expectantly.

I dropped my gaze, my voice dripping with contempt.

"He's your assistant, your friend, and now your husband. Whatever happens between you two has nothing to do with me."

Seeing how firm I was, she frowned again.

"Patrick, do you really have to be like this? How can you be so cold? I already told you—I'll marry you eventually. What difference does sooner or later make? Shawn is sick. What right do you have to treat him like this?"

Beside her, Shawn kept his head down, tears streaming steadily.

I finally stopped packing and looked up at the two of them standing there shoulder to shoulder.

The way they played off each other was a perfect match, honestly.

A laugh escaped me.

Watching the woman I once loved fuss over another man as if he were the only thing that mattered—I won't lie, it hurt.