Fading to Zero

Almost at the same time, Zach Quinn's childhood sweetheart made a post on social media. The photo showed two hands wearing matching couple rings, forming a heart gesture.

Inside the heart was a pregnancy ultrasound report showing a seven-week embryo.

The caption read: [He said he wants to give us a home.]

Zach’s friends liked the post and congratulated them for finally ending up together, saying they would definitely prepare expensive gifts for their wedding. Not a single person mentioned me.

It was as though the wedding tomorrow had always been for the two of them and I had nothing to do with it at all.

I gave a bitter smile and liked the post. Then, I commented: [Wishing you a lifetime of happiness together!]

My comment blended into a stream of blessings and did not look out of place. However, it was deleted the next second.

Zach’s call came right after. His tone was full of impatience. “Coco, what are you trying to do? What was your intention behind leaving that comment? Are you trying to cause trouble?”

I was rendered speechless for a moment. “I wasn’t causing trouble. I genuinely wish you a lifetime of happiness.”

However, Zach clearly could not hear any sincerity in it and was convinced I was deliberately stirring things up. “Fine. Do you think I can’t tell whether you’re sincere or not? Everyone knows tomorrow was supposed to be our wedding. You suddenly jumped in with that sarcastic comment just so people would laugh at Ruby, right? Apologize to her. She’s crying now because of your comment.”

On the other end of the line came the sound of a woman sobbing. “Zach, forget it! I shouldn’t have asked you to help me. I’ll go book an abortion appointment right now. So what if I can never be a mother after this? It’s better than being called a mistress!”

Zach immediately softened his voice, soothing Ruby like a child. “Ruby, you’re not a mistress! Once we get the marriage certificate tomorrow, we’ll be a legally married couple, the kind recognized by law!

“Don’t listen to people talking nonsense without thinking! If anyone dares to mock you, I’ll tear their mouth apart!”

Ruby only cried harder. “What about Coco? Won’t she be heartbroken? Maybe I should just abort the baby, and your wedding can go on as planned…”

Zach’s voice grew even gentler, now laced with urgency, “Coco and I already agreed. She just needs to wait three more years, and she’ll get what she wants. It’s not like I'll run away, right?

“Stop crying. Otherwise, your stomach will start hurting again. And if your eyes are all swollen tomorrow, how are you going to be a beautiful bride?”

Ruby finally broke into a tearful smile.

Zach let out a sigh of relief and then spoke to me in a slightly calmer tone. “Coco, what’s your silence supposed to mean? Apologize to Ruby already!”

I clenched my fists, hating myself for even liking that post in the first place. Still, I had done nothing wrong. Why should I apologize?

“Zach, what if I refuse?”

He froze for a second, then raised his voice in disbelief. “Coco, stop making a scene. It’s getting ugly! Ruby is pregnant. Her emotions are unstable, and you’re deliberately making her cry. That’s really inconsiderate!

“You don’t have to apologize, but you still need to make up for your mistake. Go explain to our friends and family that you don't want to get married anymore.”

Afraid that I would refuse, he hung up immediately. Then, he sent me a message:

[Coco, I’m begging you, stop making a scene, okay? I’m just getting a marriage certificate with Ruby. It’s just a piece of paper. It doesn’t mean anything. We're canceling our wedding this time so that I can give you your dream wedding at the most appropriate time.]

Those familiar words stabbed at my eyes, making them ache again. What did 'the most appropriate time' even mean?

I had been hearing that sentence for eight years, nearly 3,000 days and nights, while waiting for him to marry me. In the end, he was about to become someone else’s legal husband.

I would not wait for him anymore.