The Forsaken

As we exchanged rings, I held Yasmin Walsh's hand, and my gaze fell on her wrist. An old silver watch hung there, its dial yellowed with age, its hands forever frozen at 3:07.

"Take off the watch," I said.

Her smile stiffened. Instinctively, she pulled her hand back. "Jayden Burke, stop it. Everyone is watching."

I didn't move. I repeated myself softly, but loud enough for the entire hall to hear, "Take off the watch."

Her expression changed at once. Panic flickered in her eyes—an intensity I had never seen before.

"What do you mean? You know what this watch means to me," she said.

"I know." I released her hand and took out a document I had prepared long before today. "And because I know, I want a divorce."

She stared at me, stunned, then looked at the document labeled "Divorce Agreement". Her body trembled. "Jayden, say that again."

"I said I want a divorce. All because of that watch."

I opened the page where my signature already waited and pushed it toward her.

The crowd erupted.

"Has he lost his mind? The Burke family heir is divorcing over an old watch? What kind of joke is this?"

"He must be putting on a show to spice up the wedding."

"Poor Yasmin. She married a crazy man and got humiliated on her own wedding day."

Their whispers pierced through her pride like countless sharp needles. Tears welled up at once. Her eyes reddened, her lips quivered, yet she couldn't say a single word.

Her mother, my soon-to-be ex mother-in-law, Sophia Baker, rushed over and grabbed my collar. "Jayden, what kind of man are you? You humiliate her in front of everyone over a watch?

"That's just a keepsake from her friend who passed away. Are you jealous of a dead person? You don't deserve to be called a man!" She hit my chest with her fists.

I didn't respond. I only looked at Yasmin. Ten years together—from school uniforms to a wedding dress. I thought we were meant to be. But standing here, seeing how fiercely she clung to that watch. I realized I had never even been part of her beginning.

"Why? All because of a watch? What do our ten years mean to you?" she finally cried, gripping the papers tightly.

I nodded, my voice cold and even. "Yes. It's because of a watch."

I urged her, "Just sign it. Let's not make this uglier than it already is."

Those words shattered her. Trembling, she tore the divorce agreement to pieces. "No, Jayden. I won't agree. If you want a divorce, you'll have to wait until I die."

Her eyes were bright red, like a trapped animal.

I watched her lose herself in hysteria, and I couldn't help but smile.