Her Marriage Expires in 3 Days

My mother was dying. Her last wish was to see me married.

I begged Amelia for twenty-seven days, and finally, she agreed to marry me.

I waited at the registry office until closing, but she never showed.

That very day, however, Amelias childhood friend, David Marlowe, posted their marriage certificate on social media:

Time flies, three more days and itll be a month since we got married.

It was then I realized that the day I first begged Amelia, she had already eloped with her childhood friend.

At that moment, I received an apology text from Amelia.

Ian, David is being pressured into marriage by his family. I cant just watch him settle for anyone, trapped in a cage.

Well be divorced in three days.

Ill marry you after that.

Three days later, when Amelia, in her wedding dress, appeared at the registry office entrance,

She only received my message.

Amelia, goodbye forever.

In the morgue, I looked at my mothers face, tears streaming down.

My mother raised me alone and never asked me for anything.

But I couldn't even fulfill her last wish.

Knowing my mother was gravely ill, I begged Amelia, my girlfriend of six years, to marry me, hoping to show my mother that I wouldn't be alone after she was gone.

I pleaded with her for twenty-seven days.

But Amelia always found excuses.

The first day, her childhood friends car broke down, and she rushed to pick him up.

The second day, she was helping her childhood friend move, so she had no time.

The twenty-sixth day, her childhood friend had a stomachache, and she hurried to take care of him.

If David hadnt posted that marriage certificate today,

I would still be in the dark.

I had imagined a thousand reasons for Amelia, but I never thought she would already be married.

Kneeling by my mothers hospital bed, I stayed until evening, when Amelia called.

Her voice, as always, was gentle:

Its so late, why arent you home yet? Where are you, Ill come pick you up.

I opened my mouth, but no words came out.

In the past, I would have pretended to be angry, let her coax me, and then happily waited for her.

But now, I couldnt utter a single gentle word to her.

Amelias voice held a touch of urgency:

Ian, where are you now?

The hospital.

Amelia paused, as if just remembering I had been taking care of my mother these days.

I wait for me, Ill come to the hospital to be with you.

The call ended, and I forced myself to get up, fighting back the grief, to arrange my mothers funeral.

But ten minutes later, she sent another message:

Ian, I need to accompany David to deal with his parents. Ill definitely visit your mother next time!

I wasnt surprised.

Because for the past two years, the phrase I heard most from her was:

Next time, for sure.

Missed our anniversary, will make it up next time.

Bailed on meeting my mother, will come next time.

Declined to marry me, will be free tomorrow.

She knew I would forgive her, which is why she hurt me so carelessly.

But this time, there would be no next time.

Because my mother wouldnt have another chance.

And I wouldn't forgive her again.

That night, I didn't go home, staying at the hospital instead.

Amelia also sent messages all night and called countless times.

I didnt look, nor did I answer.

The next day, I arrived at the company early to prepare my resignation.

Amelia was the companys founder.

I was just an ordinary designer.

I had been with her since she had nothing, building the company together.

Now, my position in the company had become insignificant.

Even if I disappeared, Amelia wouldnt notice.

Just as I was printing my resignation, Amelia suddenly appeared behind me.

Under her gaze, I calmly took the resignation in my hand.

She looked at me, her tone gentle:

Finished printing?

Yes.

Amelia looked at me, seemingly oblivious to my coldness.

She cleared her throat:

Ian, come with me for a moment.

The moment Amelia called me away, my colleagues immediately started whispering.

Did you know? Ms. Reed is already married.

Really? No wonder Ian and Ms. Reed kept their relationship secret, all sneaky about it. Turns out hes the other man.

Ian always said he hated home-wreckers, acting like a saint while being a slut.

My father abandoned my mother and me for another woman, causing us half a lifetime of suffering.

But now, thanks to Amelia, I was being called the other man.

In the office, Amelia tried to hug me.

I stepped back:

Ms. Reed, this is the company.

Amelia frowned.

Dont be angry. How about I go with you to see your mother tonight?

I shook my head.

Its no longer necessary.

My mother was dead, and I didn't want her to see Amelia.

If she knew I was being called the other man because of Amelia,

She would definitely be angry with me.

Amelia seemed to sense my slight change.

After a moment of silence, she spoke:

Two more days, and Ill be divorced from David. Then, we can get married.

With that, she handed me a gift box.

This is ginseng I prepared for your mother, specifically to nourish her body.

I looked at the ginseng, a little dazed.

Her intentions came a little too late.

My mother no longer needed it.

Seeing my silence, a hint of anxiety flashed in Amelias eyes, and she was about to speak.

A sudden ringing phone interrupted Amelias thoughts.

Amelia took out her phone, glanced at me,

Hesitated for a moment, then left.

I knew it was David calling.

After all, he was Amelias legal husband now.

My heart felt no ripple.

After all, I no longer cared.

After that, I submitted my resignation.

Facing my sudden resignation request, Vice President Johnson seemed prepared.

Ian, Im sure Ms. Reed will arrange things for you.

I bit my lip, feeling a little absurd.

It seemed everyone had decided I was Amelias kept man at the company.

She had prepared everything for me.

But they refused to believe I was Amelias legitimate boyfriend, and that I was heartbroken and ready to leave.

Leaving the company, I ran into Amelia and David at the elevator.

Seeing me, Amelias eyes flickered, and she instinctively began to explain:

Dont misunderstand, I brought David here to

Before she finished, David put his arm around her shoulder:

To tour my wifes company.

I didnt speak. Then, David spoke again:

Ian, you dont mind, do you?

David looked at me with a provocative smirk.

I silently stepped out of the elevator, making way for them.

Amelia looked at me, her eyes filled with hesitation, wanting to say something,

But David pulled her away.

In the afternoon, at the crematorium, I watched my mother turn into a wisp of ash.

I laid her to rest in the cemetery.

Until night fell.

Amelia didnt appear, nor did she send a single message.

I didnt care.

Without her disturbance, my mother could rest more peacefully.

I imagined my mothers spirit in heaven wouldn't want me to be entangled with her anymore.

And certainly wouldn't want to see me marry her.

Our six years together, it was time for it to end completely.

Leaving the cemetery, I walked all the way home.

It had been a long time since I walked alone at night.

Before, I held my mothers hand.

Later, Amelia linked her arm through mine.

From now on, I would walk alone.

I thought I would get used to it.

I didnt get home until after midnight.

The living room light was on, and Amelia was messaging on the sofa.

Seeing me enter, Amelias furrowed brow smoothed, and she immediately rushed over, trying to grab my hand:

Where have you been? You didnt answer your phone or my messages, I was about to call the police, do you know that?!

I froze for a moment, then pulled free from Amelias hand.

I was with my mother, I didnt want her to be disturbed.

Hearing me mention my mother, Amelia remembered what she had said earlier, and a look of guilt crossed her face.

She suddenly looked at me expectantly, and solemnly pulled out a box for me.

I instinctively took it and opened the box; inside was a pair of wedding rings.

I suddenly froze.

Once, Amelia had confidently held my hand.

She promised we would wear our wedding rings, holding our marriage certificate, and let my mother witness our happiness.

I waited countless days, hoped countless times.

But that was before.

I closed the box and handed it back.

Amelia frowned slightly, as if she realized something, and said somewhat awkwardly:

Its past midnight now, just one more day, and I can divorce David.

Dont worry, Ive always remembered my promise.

Tomorrow, well put the rings on each other, and then well go get married.

I wasn't moved by her sweet talk, merely stating:

Alright, I understand. Im a bit tired, Im going to rest now.

Amelias smile froze, realizing for the first time my perfunctory tone.

A hint of panic flashed in her eyes, and she reached for my hand.

Just then, David, wearing my pajamas, walked out of the bedroom.

He blinked sleepily at me, then immediately stepped forward, putting his arm around Amelias shoulder, whining:

Amelia, Ians back, lets go to bed.

Amelia quickly looked at me, explaining:

David had an argument with his family, I let him stay in the guest room for the night.

With that, Amelia stared intently at me, seemingly afraid I would misunderstand.

I nodded, saying indifferently:

Its fine, I can stay at my mothers place for the night.

Amelia froze, seemingly surprised by my quick agreement.

But David didnt give me a chance to change my mind, triumphantly turning and rushing back into the room.

As I pulled my suitcase, ready to leave, Amelia still stood in the living room.

She pursed her lips, clutching my hand tightly, refusing to let go,

The guilt in her eyes deepened,

Finally, amidst Davids urging, she spoke:

Tomorrow, after we get married, well go see your mother together.

At dawn, I packed everything and returned to the company for my final handover.

The moment I stepped into the company, colleagues looked at me with strange expressions, and after I passed, they whispered and pointed behind my back.

It wasn't until I saw David sitting at my desk that I understood the reason for this bizarre atmosphere.

Everyone was staring at their computer screens, yet their eyes couldnt help but dart towards this volatile scene.

Seeing me arrive, David looked at me arrogantly:

Im starting today, Ill sit here, you go somewhere else.

I looked at him, nodding calmly.

Okay, Ill pack up my things.

We spoke very calmly, but seeing my demeanor,

My colleagues at the company all thought I was guilty after seeing David, the rightful spouse.

But due to the presence of both David and me, the main parties, no one dared to say much.

They just typed on their computers, expressing their disdain for me.

I also wanted to clarify things, but I didnt know how to begin.

After all, David was indeed Amelias legally married husband.

Any more words from me would only bring self-humiliation.

As I finished packing and was about to leave, Amelia walked over.

Seeing me carrying my luggage, her expression tightened.

Where are you going?

David spoke first:

Make way for me, I like sitting here.

Seeing me about to leave, Amelia quickly grabbed my arm.

No, this is your spot, no one can

Before she could finish, I interrupted directly:

If he likes it, let him have it.

After all, I had already resigned; who sat here was none of my business.

Amelia, however, froze, her expression obscured.

It was only after my back, carrying the box, disappeared that she came to her senses.

Amelia pushed aside David, who was humming and tidying the desk, then, in front of everyone, slapped him across the face:

Did I fake marry you, making you think you could walk all over me?!

Have you forgotten, I warned you not to mess with Ian.

After leaving the company, I received a text message from Amelia.

[Tomorrow at the registry office entrance, Ill wait for you.]

[The specialist I hired for your mother will arrive tomorrow.]

[After we get married, well go see your mother together.]

I smiled, a sudden bitterness.

Amelia, goodbye.

I took all my luggage and headed to the airport.

The next day, Amelia stood at the registry office entrance, holding her freshly issued divorce certificate.