Chapter 3
His rarely updated Social Feed now buzzed with daily posts.
As if timed perfectly, he accompanied her through every milestone.
The final post showed him in a suit, posing for wedding photos with Kimberly.
He wrote: “Wanted to see the one I love in a wedding gown one last time.”
The day after that post went up,
Andrew called me, his voice raspy.
“Amanda, bring your ID to the Civil Registry Office.”
He hung up before I could respond-
the first time in three years he’d initiated marriage registration.
My rejection text remained unsent.
Suddenly, I remembered: my father’s thumb ring was still in his possession.
At the very least, it couldn’t stay with him.
I arrived at the Civil Registry Office, that familiar street I’d walked countless times over three years.
Miraculously, no mishaps occurred.
I waited at the entrance for an hour before spotting him.
Dark circles hung beneath his eyes, the scent of tobacco clinging thicker than ever.
After all this time together, I knew-he only smoked when hurting.
A month apart, and he froze for a second upon seeing me.
“What happened to you?”
Illness had ravaged me; I’d become skin and bones in mere weeks.
Even without him saying it, I knew how ghastly I looked.
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08:35
Chapter 3
When I stayed silent, his brow furrowed deeper.
“We’re getting registered today. You really want photos looking like this?”
“I’m not here for that. Just return my father’s thumb ring.”
I held out my hand before him.
His eyes widened slightly, as if I were throwing a tantrum.
With a cold laugh, he gripped my wrist and dragged me inside.
“Drop the act. Think I’m destined to marry you?”
“Fine. You win. Let’s get the certificate. We’ll plan the wedding later.”
His voice dripped with self-loathing.
The clerk greeted us with routine cheer.
“Please present your IDs for registration.”
Andrew handed over his ID, sleeve sliding to reveal a tattoo-
a tattoo of her initials.
The oblivious clerk beamed.
“You must be so in love! Matching tattoos? How romantic!”
Andrew stiffened, tugging his sleeve down awkwardly.
His eyes darted to me, but I stood motionless. His tone turned icy.
“Did you forget your ID? Or just get cold feet?”
I drew a sharp breath at his expression.
“I told you, I’m not here to get married. Just give me back the ring-”
His phone rang urgently, cutting me off.
His friend’s voice shouted through tears:
“Victor! Kimberly swallowed pills! Her note says Amanda pushed her to do it—”
52.2 %
† 288 Mouch
08:35
