7
I ignored every single call.
Instead, I went to the restroom, touched up my makeup, and headed to the café for the blind date my mom had set up.
Efficiency was her specialty–by noon, she’d already lined up three potential matches for me.
The first candidate had arrived early, and as soon as I saw his face, I froze in shock.
It was Will Shaw, our high school class president.
After graduation, he had gotten into a top–tier university, launched a successful business, and even spent time studying abroad. We’d barely kept in touch, save for the occasional “like” on social media.
After I got married, my world had shrunk. My social circle became Oliver, Oliver, and… Oliver.
I forced a smile and joked, “Wow, Will Shaw. Did you come all this way just to see me crash and burn?”
He raised an eyebrow and slid the menu across the table.
“Anna, I think I’m a pretty decent candidate. Don’t you agree?”
His voice was calm but serious.
“I’m not getting any younger, and honestly, I’d like to find someone I can build a life with. I have everything I need–except a wife who feels like home.”
He wasn’t joking.
Still reeling from the flight, I had no appetite, so I ordered just an orange juice.
Will, on the other hand, quickly ordered a few light dishes–every single one exactly to my taste.
Noticing my surprise, he smiled.
“I remember you don’t eat seafood,” he said casually. “You mentioned it once during one of our group dinners in college. It just stuck.”
It’s funny, isn’t it?
10:32 AM
<
The people who truly care about you will always remember the little things.
But those who don’t? Even after years of being by your side, they’ll never notice.
The thought hit me harder than I expected, and before I knew it, my tears were falling into my drink.
Will scrambled to hand me a tissue, but in his rush, a small box slipped out of his pocket and fell onto the table.
A ring box.
He quickly picked it up, looking flustered.
“Sorry,” he said, his voice tinged with nervousness. “Maybe I’m being too forward?”
Without thinking, I took the ring from his hand and slid it onto my finger. The fit was perfect, and it covered the faint red mark left by my wedding band.
“Let’s give it a shot,” I said quietly.
I wasn’t looking for a fairy tale. I just wanted to prove to myself that I was still worthy of love–even if it was a gamble.
As we started planning the wedding, Oliver still hadn’t signed the divorce papers.
When my phone rang for the hundredth time, I finally picked up.
His voice was hoarse and frantic.
“Anna! Where the hell are you?”
D
“The bamboo plant you grew–it’s gone! The stuff on the balcony is dying! I don’t know how to take care of any of this. And the fish in the fridge, it’s spoiled! What am I supposed to do?”
“And why would you go on a trip without telling me? You even took the photo albums. Why didn’t you bring me?”
Oliver was smart. He knew exactly where I’d gone. He just wanted me to say it.
“Oh, that stupid bamboo? The photos? All of it? I trashed them,” I said flatly, twisting the ring on my finger.
“Stop pretending, Oliver. You saw the divorce papers in your office, didn’t you? Go ahead and sign them. Mail them back when you’re done.”
“I’m getting married soon.”
Oliver refused to sign.
He called again, this time with a carefully rehearsed argument.
“Anna, I’ve given you my entire paycheck every month. There’s no infidelity, no abuse. Legally, you don’t have grounds for divorce. Is this because you want kids? Because Luna and I–there’s nothing going on there.”
“Let’s be reasonable. Sit down with me, and we can talk this through.”
I closed my eyes, and for a moment, my mind went back to those two letters in his office.
Taking a deep breath, I began to recite them aloud:
“My dearest Luna, I hope every day is sunny where you are. Every night, I dream of you… Marrying her is just an obligation. I don’t love her. There will never be kids. Those pills she’s taking? They’re ruining her body. She’ll never carry my child.”
“I’d rather never have children than let you suffer. Do you see how much I mean it?“”
“The words on this page are too short for how I feel. In our next life, Luna, you will be my wife.”
I paused, letting the silence sink in.
Oliver stammered clearly shaken.
10:32 AM
<
“Anna, that was years ago! Those letters were written right after we got married. People change–I’ve changed. I need you now. I can’t live without you.”
His voice cracked, and I could hear him choking back tears.
Right after we got married.
The same years when I stayed up late planning our future, while he stayed up writing love letters to his ex. The same years when he made sure I couldn’t get pregnant, all while secretly paving the way for Luna’s future.
In his grand plan, there had never been room for me.
As Oliver continued to plead, Will leaned over and gently placed a hand on my shoulder. His voice was calm, steady, and warm.
“Anna, it’s time to go to bed.”
The line went silent for a moment, and then I heard a loud crash–Oliver had thrown something.
“Anna! You’re cheating on me?! Is there another man in the picture?!” he shouted, his voice shaking with rage.
“We’re still married, and you’re already climbing into someone else’s bed? Is your appetite so big that I wasn’t enough for you?”
Will reached over, took the phone from my hand, and calmly spoke into the receiver.
“If you want to discuss the divorce, send your lawyer. And please, don’t act like an uncivilized fool.”
I burst out laughing.
Will looked so composed in his tailored suit, yet the words that came out of his mouth were sharp and blunt.
