Tugged the Wrong Heartstrings

Main Story: Anya's POV

Eli instinctively shielded me. "Are you okay?"

I shook my head, trying to look innocent. "Why did you react like that?"

He pulled me into a tight embrace. I could hardly breathe.

"Please, don't joke about our marriage," he whispered. "You have no idea how long I've been waiting for this day."

His voice deepened. "Don't downplay this, baby. I've waited three years for us to get here."

I managed a bitter smile.

This was clearly a script Eli had orchestrated all along.

From attending dress fittings to designing the invitations, he played his role to perfection. He guided me through every detail of the planning, raising my hopes higher with each step.

Once I was fully invested, he'd strike the final blow.

I was just going along with his performance.

So why did he look so on edge?

…

Later that night, we arrived home.

Eli grabbed my legs and pinned me against the door the moment it clicked shut. I barely had time to take off my shoes.

His breath scorched my skin. Each kiss was fierce and reckless, consuming me completely.

I turned my face slightly and whispered, "Eli, I'm not feeling well. Can we skip tonight?"

His body froze for a moment. In the silence that followed, he held me gently.

Resting his chin on my shoulder, he murmured, "Why don't you sit down for a bit? Once I finish showering, I'll whip up something for you."

His phone lay nearby. I couldn't resist picking it up.

One by one, messages from that young woman appeared on the screen.

"Eli, your invitation still hasn't arrived. I'm getting impatient."

"Your mom said I can come to the hospital tomorrow. I got the job! Yay!"

"From now on, I can leave work with you every day. I'm so happy…"

I quietly set the phone down and made my way to the study.

Flipping my diary open, I let my thoughts spill onto the page.

"3 Days Until the Wedding"

"The custom wedding dress I'd waited half a year for was ruined today. Eli and I scrambled to find last-minute replacements, but nothing fit. I've lost so much weight recently, but it's okay. Thinking about becoming his wife in just a few days fills me with happiness."

Turning back through the pages, I began filling in the days before.

"7 Days Until the Wedding"

"Eli vanished without a single word. At first, I was terrified something awful had happened. I spent the entire night calling everyone I could think of, but there was no trace of him anywhere. Eventually, I cried until my eyes were swollen shut. I'm starting to feel afraid. Does he really plan to not show up at all?"

"5 Days Until the Wedding"

"Eli returned like the storm never came. I kept silent about how hard those days were. What matters is that he's here now. Maybe some of it was my fault, but it's only because I care for him too much."

This "diary" held every ounce of my devotion.

I left it in the most obvious place, hoping Eli would notice.

…

That evening, Eli placed the order for the final wedding dress over the phone.

He told me he had arranged with the designer to have the new gown custom remade. The dress would be worn at our ceremony on the private island after the wedding.

I noticed the young woman had updated her social media.

"It's official! I'm finally a nurse. I get to stay by the person I love and see him every day. I'm so thrilled!"

She posted a candid photo of Eli in a mask, checking on a patient.

I screenshotted everything.

I opened my wedding diary and began to write.

"Just three days to go. Eli's deep in the wedding preparations, and so am I."

"While he's playing his role, I'm quietly playing mine."

I figured it was better to keep that last part to myself.

From the first step of planning to the final execution, I decided Eli should oversee every aspect of the wedding.

I wanted him to take charge of selecting the flowers and managing the schedule.

He had to be present in every single moment.

I told him I was drained and asked him to take over the meeting with the wedding team.

I placed my full trust in him, letting him know that every choice was his to make.

He went along with it without a second thought. I even saw a spark of excitement in his eyes.

Holding me close, he laughed softly. "Honey, a wedding this grand is definitely a one-time-only kind of thing."

I smiled and teased, "So, does that mean you're sticking around this time? With an event this big, it wouldn't be right if you weren't here."

After a pause, he held me even tighter. "How could I ever leave? I love you more than anything," he whispered.

But despite saying all that, Eli turned away and typed in the group chat, "This wedding's such a hassle. I can't wait for her to be alone that day."

At last, Eli's true feelings came to light.

I didn't respond. Instead, I casually suggested, "Let's send out another round of handwritten invitations to our closest friends."

In reality, the invitations had already been sent. I just wanted him to write them by hand.

While Eli picked up the pen, I focused on sealing the wax.

I asked him to write the following. "From dawn to dusk, every moment we spend together is filled with tenderness. It'll be a memory we cherish forever."

I looked at him and smiled. "This perfectly captures my love for you."

Without saying a word, Eli lowered his gaze and typed, "The wedding invitation will be sent to you tomorrow."

It was meant for that young woman.

She responded with a smiling emoji.

I reached for my diary again and began writing.

"2 Days Until the Wedding"

"We'll grow old together, won't we?"