Chapter 3 Freedom and Reluctance

There was a caption in their story, and it read, "Sometimes love makes you forget about your duties."

Everyone who left a comment told him to be brave and pursue his true love.

Eighty million was enough to pay for all my treatments. I smiled bitterly, and my eyes slowly blurred. A moment later, tears fell onto my phone screen.

At least, we were both free now.

For nearly a whole month, Anthony did not contact me. He probably wanted to give all his time to Lily. The stories he barely posted now had new updates every single day.

As if he had planned every moment down to the second, he checked off every item on their bucket list.

The last story showed him in a suit, taking a set of wedding photos with Lily. He said he wanted to see the woman he loved in a wedding gown.

The day after he posted that, Anthony called me. Raspily, he said, "Grab your ID and go to the city hall, Melissa." Then, he hung up before I could answer.

For the first time in three years, he was the one asking for the license. I was about to text him my refusal when I suddenly remembered that I had not taken back the ring my father had given him.

At the very least, it should not remain with him.

And so, I went to the city hall. The things around here were the same as they were three years ago. I had walked this path countless times, and for the first time, no accidents happened.

I had to wait outside the entrance for an hour before Anthony showed up. There were dark circles under his eyes, and the air around him smelled faintly of tobacco. We had dated long enough for me to know that he only smoked when he was in a bad mood.

It had been a month since we met, and the sight of my current state stunned him. "What happened to you?"

Because of the cancer, I had lost so much weight in a month that I looked almost unrecognizable. It was obvious that I looked hideous. He did not have to remind me.

My silence made him frown. "You sure you want to look like this for your license photo?"

"We're not taking the license. I just want you to give me back my father's ring." I extended my hand.

His eyes went wide, and he thought I was being unreasonable. A sneer escaped his lips, and he dragged me into the city hall.

"Don't give me that. You think this marriage is set in stone? Fine, you win. Get the license and get the wedding over with ASAP," he said, already giving up the ghost.

The staff member started the process right away. "Your details, please."

Anthony took his ID out and handed it to the staff member. As he moved, part of the tattoo on his wrist was revealed. It was Lily's initials.

The staff member had no idea what was really going on and tried to lighten the atmosphere. "Oh, you're so in love. Tattooing her name on your wrist? Must be a happy couple."

Anthony paused for a moment and pulled his sleeve down awkwardly. His eyes shifted toward me, but I did not react. He mocked, "Didn't bring your ID in case you got into an accident?"

I took a deep breath. "I've told you, we're not getting the license. Give the ring…"

Anthony's phone suddenly rang sharply. The moment he answered, his best friend's anxious voice came through. "Anthony, Lily tried to kill herself at home with sleeping pills! She said Melissa made her do it…"

Anthony shot up from his seat right away.