Echoes of Longing

1
On my wedding day, I accidentally stumbled upon a video that seemed like it was designed to mock me.
It showed a tearful eighteen-year-old girl saying, What do I do? He rejected my confession. Will I ever see him again?
Cut to a twenty-five-year-old woman, beaming. Don't cry, silly! Not only will you see him again, but you just got your marriage license today! Whats meant to be will be!
I couldnt help but smile as I watched. After all, my fianc, Matthew Lloyd, and I had been childhood sweethearts for fifteen years, and we were celebrating our marriage today.
As I went to type a congratulatory message, I hesitated.
The video zoomed in on a collage of photos the woman had secretly taken of the same man, from eighteen to twenty-five. It ended with a shot of a marriage license.
The man who had inspired such devotion, the guy the internet was rooting for, was my husband, Matthew Lloyd.
The video played on, the womans sweet voice filling my ears. Im sharing this video to tell girls who are crushing on someone: never give up! Eventually, hell love you back.
My hands shaking, I dragged the timeline back and stared at her eighteen-year-old face. Recognition slammed into me.
This was Blair Lancaster. The girl who had been obsessed with Matthew for years, following him around like a lost puppy. Shed been invisible back thenplain, unremarkable. A far cry from who she was now.
Love is like raising a flower. My love has nurtured me so well
I closed my eyes, forcing myself to stay calm. Then, I clicked into the comments.
A comment posted just three minutes earlier, already at the top, caught my eye. You are the rose I cultivated with my own hands.
The profile picture was the back of a mans head. One I had taken.
The truth crashed down on me. My mind went blank.
Then, I heard the front door open. Matthew walked in carrying a cake, his handsome face as warm and familiar as always. I knew youd be waiting up for me. Its our wedding night, after all.
I got this for you on the way back from the office. Try it.
He moved to embrace me, like he always did.
Instinctively, I took a step back, switching off my phone and hiding it behind me. My voice trembled. You really went to the office?
Matthew froze, a flicker of something like frustration crossing his brow. Where else would I have been?
Everyone else gets pre-wedding jitters. How come youre having them after we get married?
His casual tone made me doubt myself. Maybe I was overreacting. After all, Blair had tried to drive a wedge between us back then.
As I stood there, lost in thought, Matthew pulled me down onto the sofa and spooned a bite of cake into my mouth.
My head was spinning. Then, he laughed. Oh, right. Theres some stuff I have to take care of at work tomorrow. Lets wait on getting the marriage license, okay?
Weve been together for so long. A few more days wont matter, will it?
Before the wedding, Id suggested we get the license first, but he had brushed it off, saying he was too busy. Now, he was delaying it again.
I looked up at him, meeting his gaze. There was no hint of guilt, nothing to betray his words. My heart twisted. I nodded, unable to speak.
While Matthew went to take a shower, I grabbed his phone. The password was still my birthday. The wallpaper was still a picture of me. So was his profile picture.
I let out a small sigh of relief and clicked into his video apps. There was only one account. Not the one that had commented on Blairs video.
A hand reached around me, snatching the phone from my grasp. Matthew picked me up in his arms. Stop checking my phone. Come see how good my stamina is instead.
I tried to tell myself that this was all just a coincidence, forcing a smile. Okay
Before I could finish the word, a ringtone shattered the moment.
Matthew practically leaped out of my arms and answered the phone. Two seconds later, he was throwing on his clothes. I have to go. Theres a problem at the office.
Dont wait up for me tonight. Ill be back late. Be good. He pressed a kiss to my forehead and hurried out.
Not long after he left, I saw a new comment from Blair under her video. Someone pretended to get a call from work just to see me. Guess who finally got the undivided attention she deserves tonight?
My blood ran cold. I called Matthew. He didnt answer. I tried again, and again. Finally, after a dozen calls, he picked up, his voice edged with irritation.
I was in a meeting. It was urgent.
An urgent meeting? In bed, maybe? I couldnt stop the sarcasm.
Matthew was silent for a moment, and then, there was a flash of anger. Seraphina, what is wrong with you tonight?
First youre grilling me about work, then youre checking my phone, and now youre accusing me of cheating?
I bit down hard on my lip, forcing the words out. Fine.
I hung up and drove to his office. Ignoring the blare of horns as I ran red lights, I finally arrived, and saw Matthew was, in fact, in his office.
When he saw me, he sighed and tugged at his tie. You actually came here?
What is going on with you? Why are you so suspicious?
The relief I had felt just moments before was instantly replaced by ice when I saw his tie. I clenched my fists, my voice shaking. You werent wearing a tie when you left the house.
A flicker of panic crossed his face, but he quickly recovered. Oh. I keep a spare at the office.
Wed been friends for years. I knew the subtle tells. He was lying. I didnt want to play games. I held up Blairs video. Explain. What is this?
Matthews pupils contracted. He hadnt expected me to see it.
Then, he frowned. Why is Blair so obsessed with me? He rose and started pacing, feigning annoyance.
She spent her whole life trying to ruin what we had. You know I hate her. How could you think I would marry her?
Okay, I admit it. I lied. I ran into her a while back. She applied for a secretarial position. I turned her down.
But then, her brain snapped, and she made up this whole fantasy.
Honey, we just had our wedding. Why would she post something like this now, unless she was trying to cause trouble?
Before he could finish, the door opened. Blair waltzed in, looking sweet and innocent, holding a mans jacket. Matthew, you forgot this.
The office went silent, with only the videos soundtrack echoing through the air.
Matthew was the first to react. He grabbed Blair, his voice dangerously low. Thats not my jacket. Stop making things up.
Tell my wife whats going on. Tell her about the video.
I watched as Blairs eyes turned red. She seemed to resist, but she lowered her head to me. Seraphina, Im sorry. I shouldnt have posted the video. I just wanted to fulfill an old fantasy.
Its not real. It was all faked. Im so sorry
Before she could finish, I raised my hand to strike.
But Matthew seized my wrist, his face darkening. Thats enough. Dont get violent
Smack!
I swung with my other hand, the slap echoing through the office.
Matthews cheek was red. He stared at me, stunned. Seraphina! I explained everything! Why wont you trust me?
Theres a limit to how much nonsense Im willing to take!
Pain tightened my chest. I took a shaky breath, trying to stay calm, and threw a document at him. It was a certificate of marriage, obtained by my lawyer.
Explain this. I dare you.
Matthew Lloyd. Marital status: not single. Spouse: Blair Lancaster.
His face turned sheet white.
Afraid of what I might do next, he pulled me out of the office.
Back home, he dropped to his knees, his eyes red-rimmed. Im sorry, Sera. I lied.
But Im telling the truth. Blair and I ran into each other a while ago. She applied to be my secretary.
I didnt want anything to do with her. But then she begged me to give her a chance.
You know what shes like. She didnt do well in school, she never got a degree, she cant find a decent job. And she only has her grandmother, who needs expensive medical care. I felt sorry for her, so I gave her a chance.
After a while, I started to waver. When she begged me for the tenth time to marry her, to fulfill her grandmothers dying wish, I gave in.
I thought, what harm could it do? I could marry her for a little while, let her be happy, and then divorce her. And then, I would tell you everything. I never imagined she would post that video! She said she would block you from seeing it.
Its all my fault. I shouldnt have lied to you. But Sera, you were raised by your grandmother. You understand, dont you?
By the end of his speech, my heart had gone numb. I wanted to laugh.
I looked at him, a flicker of desperate hope still alive in his eyes, and a cold laugh escaped my lips. I understand you? Who understands me?
You also know I was raised by my grandmother. When I dropped everything to go abroad with you, my grandmother died alone, and I never got to say goodbye. You said you would give me a family.
And now? Matthew, youre spinning an affair to make yourself look good. Its disgusting.
His face hardened. After a long pause, he rose, his voice flat with disappointment. I cant believe youre like this. Blair has been waiting for me for so long, and I just wanted to make her dream come true.
Shes been waiting for you? What about me? I couldnt stop myself from screaming.
When you couldnt pay your rent abroad, who worked day and night to send you money?
When you came back and needed capital, who sold her grandmothers house to fund your business?
How many times did I negotiate deals for you until I was throwing up blood? How many times was I almost assaulted?
I didnt want anything in return! I just wanted you to be happy, and to build a life with me!
Enough!
Matthews face was a mask of anger. "All you ever talk about is money.
Fine. Ill pay you.
He pulled out his phone and transferred three million dollars to my account. With interest, down to the penny. It was the money I had scrounged together, my entire savings. Now, it was pocket change to him.
There were so many things I wanted to say, but suddenly, I didnt have the strength. Looking at his cold, unfamiliar face, I knew it was over.
Seeing my silence, a mocking smile touched his lips. All you care about is money, Seraphina. You have no right to judge me for having an affair.
I never mistreated you after I made my fortune. I paid you back. Im still paying Blair back, so I had to marry her. Youve waited for me for so long. A little longer wont kill you. Dont make this harder than it has to be.
He reached out, trying to soothe me, but I recoiled. A wave of nausea washed over me. I ran to the bathroom, gagging, and heard his phone ring.
What? What happened to your grandmother? Im coming now.
I heard the door slam. I flushed the toilet, sending all our happy memories spiraling into the drain. I washed my face and stood up.
I opened my phone and messaged my lawyer, Julian Hayes: File for divorce.
For a week, Matthew didnt come home.
Instead, I saw him flaunting his new romance on social media, posting picture after picture with Blair. Only, he never showed her face.
Friends who had been at our wedding kept messaging, asking about the honeymoon.
I didnt reply. Instead, I posted a single line to my feed: Husband had an affair. Do not disturb.
My phone exploded.
Then, Matthew called, his voice rough. Seraphina, are you out of your mind?
I laughed softly. Whats the matter? Cant handle the truth?
He hung up.
Then, my old high school principal called, his voice excited. The alumni gala is tomorrow! Distinguished alumni can bring their spouses. I told Matthew about it a week ago, right?
I paused. No.
Oh. Well, he probably forgot. Be sure to come. Itll be broadcast live.
I squeezed my phone, hard. He hadnt forgotten. He just hadnt intended to bring me. I agreed to attend.
All week, I barely slept. My tears had dried up, and my heart had gone numb.
So, when Matthew finally came home that night and started yelling at me, I was strangely calm.
Seraphina, are you trying to ruin me?
Was it you who told Blairs grandmother about our situation? Did you cause her to have a heart attack? Blair nearly killed herself because of you!
Now, youre going to come to the hospital and apologize!
He reached for me.
I dodged him, my voice quiet. Who are you taking to the alumni gala tomorrow?
Matthew hesitated, rubbing his temples. You thought you could ruin my reputation by posting on social media? So why would I want to take you?
Blairs reputation was destroyed by you. Im going to help her fix it.
Thats not important right now. We need to go to the hospital
Why should I apologize to the woman you had an affair with?
Smack!
The slap sent me crashing to the floor, pain shooting through my abdomen.
Matthew reached for me, then stopped. A flicker of something flashed in his eyes, his voice turning cold. Seraphina, watch your mouth!
Besides, youre the other woman. Blair and I are married!
That sentence seared my heart.
I stood up, shaking. Youre right. Im the other woman. I turned and walked out.
Behind me, Matthews footsteps came to a halt. Seraphina, if you walk out that door, were done!
His rage was a distant echo as I left, never once looking back. That night, he posted a picture of his marriage certificate with Blair: No affair here. Just fake news. Married.
I switched off my phone and stared at Julian, the lawyer, his gaze steady and sure. Everythings ready, right?
He nodded, his eyes filled with concern. Are you sure about this?
I forced a smile. Yes. I have to do it.
The emptiness in my stomach mirrored the hollowness in my heart. Even the last tie to Matthew was gone. What else was there to hold on to?
As the alumni gala began, all the cameras focused on the stage. The principal excitedly invited Matthew Lloyd to deliver a speech. After all, he was the schools most successful graduate.
I watched as he spoke, crediting all the achievements to Blair. The ones that I had bled and sweat for. But I didnt feel anything. In fact, I wanted to laugh.
Ignoring the principals confused expression and the sympathetic glances from our friends, I slowly started to clap.
Matthew froze when he saw me, then quickly looked away.
After his speech, Julian was invited to speak. He scanned the room, his gaze coming to rest on Matthew. Before I start, Id like to take care of a little business. Im filing a lawsuit against Mr. Lloyd for fraud and misrepresentation.
The room went silent. Every eye turned to me.
I rose, ignoring Matthews furious glare, and walked to the podium. I smiled faintly. Im Julians client, and the victim of Mr. Lloyds fraud. My name is Seraphina Hayes.

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