From License to Lies

Three years ago, when Piero said he was going abroad for a week-long business trip, he was actually chasing the Northern Lights with Vivian.

Every time I brought up traveling abroad together, he'd brush it off, saying it was too far and too tiring.

Maybe in his mind, I didn't deserve that trip with him.

...

[Celebrating the 999th day since marrying my dear. Here is to forever happiness.]

By the last photo, I forced a bitter smile.

No wonder Piero stood me up again. He was busy celebrating his 999th day with Vivian, his wife, and totally forgot about me, his girlfriend of five years.

I knew even if it wasn't their anniversary or there were no other plans, he wouldn't show up at City Hall.

He was someone else's husband and couldn't possibly marry me. The harsh truth hit me, making my head spin.

Around me, couples were all smiles. I sat there alone, isolated.

My phone kept looping Vivian's video, flaunting their perfect love story. The background music was Piero's favorite song, one he'd said we'd use for our wedding entrance.

It became my go-to song, always pushing me to imagine our dream wedding.

Now that song stung my ears and grated on my nerves. Those sweet memories turned into sharp thorns stabbing my heart.

The loudspeaker called my number three times, but I didn't hear it.

A staff member tapped my shoulder. "Miss, is your partner still not here yet?"

I nodded mechanically.

She pointed to my number ticket and kindly reminded me, "You've missed your slot. You'll need to get a new number to register."

I stared at the ticket I'd carefully held, snapped out of it, and felt bitterness spread through me. My fingers clamped, crumpling the ticket.

"No need. He's not coming," I muttered. "He's already someone else's husband."

I stood up, tossed the crumpled ticket into the trash, and left.

Outside, couples came and went.

Those entering the hall looked eager; those leaving with certificates beamed with joy.

Watching them, I thought back to the six times before. I always walked in hopeful and left disappointed.

This place, meant to be full of happiness, brought me nothing but pain. It registered my emotional changes, from the regret of failed registrations to today's anger and heartbreak from betrayal.

For three years, through six failed attempts, I stayed optimistic, thinking that Piero and I had plenty of opportunities and that the marriage would happen eventually.

But today, Vivian's video shattered all my hopes. The shards tore my heart apart, leaving it bleeding.

I knew then that Piero and I had no future.