When Love Fades with the Wind

Anne posted a picture of an ultrasound picture and one of Lennox lowering to examine a medical report. The caption read [Baby, hurry up come out. Your Mommy and Daddy can't wait to see you!]

When I scrolled down the post, I noticed that the first one to comment was Lennox's mother. She wrote, [Grandma is very excited too! I can't wait to see my first grandson.]

The comment section was flooded with replies from the Green family. It was evident from theor words that they all knew about Lennox' marriage to Anne.

I thought back to the day I visited the Green family a few days ago. They treated me so warmly then and now it all felt like a sick joke.

I could not help but wonder were they secretly laughing behind my back when I was talking about our wedding plan to the Green family? My boyfriend was already married to someone else and there I was, blissfully planning a sham wedding.

I raised my hand, wiped the tears from my eyes and went home.

Before the wedding date between me and Lennox had been set, the Green family had already sent the customary gold jewelry and bridal gifts. Once I got home, I packed everything they had given me into a cardboard box. After that, I would sever all ties with the Green family.

Following the abortion, my body was weak. I took a few days off work to rest. One afternoon, while I was half-asleep, I vaguely sensed someone approaching. As soon I opened my eyes I saw a familiar face.

It was Lennox. He raised his and touched my hand. Realizing it was cold, he looked worried. "Kelly, are you sick? Let me take you to the hospital fot a checkup, okay?"

If this had been before, I would’ve thrown myself into his arms to seek comfort and warmth from him. However now, I pulled my hand away from his, tucked it under the blanket and said, ""It’s just a minor cold; there’s no need to go to the hospital."

Lennox didn’t notice my lack of enthusiasm. He shook his head in exasperation. "If you were feeling unwell, why didn’t you tell me? We’re about to get married, so why are you keeping things from me?"

When I heard the word "married", it jolted me awake like a splash of cold water. Married? Oh, right … he had got married.

I glanced at the cardboard box in the corner and spoke softly, "That’s right. Since we're getting married soon, you should take your things with you today."

Although he and I did not live at my place, he would occasionally stay over for some period of tome, so there were quite a few of his belongings at my place, and on the day I returned from the hospital, I had packed all his things.

Lennox, oblivious to the shift in my tone, smiled warmly. "Alright. Besides after the wedding, we’ll be moving into the new house anyway."

I did not say anything.

That evening, he made me a comforting bowl of hot vegetable beef soup with boiled eggs before leaving with his belongings.

As he stepped out, I said quietly, "Don’t come over again for the time being. I’m sick and don’t want to risk infecting you. Stay home and focus on becoming the most handsome groom."

He gave me a resigned smile but agreed nonetheless.

In the following days, he didn’t visit but still texted me regularly. I replied with brief, perfunctory messages.

Time flew by and soon, the wedding day arrived.

I didn’t put on the wedding dress Lennox had designed for me nor show up at the venue to embrace the future I had once dreamed of immediately. Instead, I purchased a high-speed train ticket to Levington State.

Just before boarding, I received a call from the hotel staff, "Miss Thomas, when will you be arriving?"

I forwarded Anne’s photo to them and replied, "This is the real bride. I was just helping her rehearse. Please find her, help her get dressed and do her makeup."

After the call, I methodically blocked and deleted every single way to contact Lennox. Then, I removed my SIM card, tucked it into my bag and let out a breath I hadn’t realized I was holding. For the first time in weeks, I felt free. I whispered, "Lennox, I wish you a memorable day."