He relaxed and nodded.

I turned and hobbled away.

I could barely hear his voice.

“Don’t worry, I just got a wedding shop ad. They wanted me and her to take pictures…”

I wasn’t lying. I spent the whole day at work.

When I got home that night, Greg had dinner waiting for me.

He quickly put away his phone when I walked in, looking a little awkward.

“You’re back. You’re late tonight. I made dinner. You look thinner in that wedding dress…”

I stopped for a second.

Thinner?

I haven’t been eating since I saw those photos.

I frowned at the greasy food.

“Eat it yourself. I’m not hungry. I’m going to bed.”

As I turned, the blisters on my ankle from the high heels were exposed.

I just got to the bedroom, when Greg came up to me with a first-aid kit.

It was the first time he'd cared for me in eight years.

But the blisters had healed, and I didn’t need him anymore.

I declined. Greg frowned.

He came back with a piece of cake and put it on the nightstand.

“Sorry, I didn’t know she was coming to the school today. I haven’t seen her in years. I had to say hello. Don’t worry. I—”

I cut him off, glancing at the cake.

“I quit sugar a long time ago. I only eat steamed vegetables. You forgot.”

I'd been living like a monk for a week to look good for the wedding.

He didn’t even notice.

He turned and left the room, saying nothing.

I woke up hungry in the middle of the night.

As I tiptoed to the kitchen for water, I saw the faint light from his phone in the living room.

He was typing on the keyboard, smiling.

I remembered he said he never stayed up late and wouldn’t spend New Year's Eve with me.

I didn’t get water. I just went back to bed.

The last day was supposed to be our wedding day.

He was gone when I left the room.

No explanation. No text.

I checked Chelsea’s social media. She’d posted a picture of herself in the hospital.

[When will I learn to take care of myself? I’m still relying on you after ten years.]

How does an adult end up in the hospital when she knows what she's allergic to?

I didn’t know and didn’t want to waste my time finding out.

I spent the day packing my bags.

Greg didn’t show up.

He sent a text saying he was working late.

I laughed.

He couldn’t even put effort into his lies.

I’d called his boss. He said he hadn’t given him any work to do before his wedding.

He was probably working overtime at the hospital.

My phone wallpaper hit zero.

I slept on the sofa and went straight to the airport after washing up.

I was thankful that the wedding was fake and my family knew nothing. I didn’t know how to explain running away.

I called Greg as I went into the airport. I wanted to break up with him.

He hung up before the call even rang.

Then, he sent a voice message.

His voice was impatient:

“I’m on my way. What’s the rush? I said I’m getting married, didn’t I?”

“Chelsea had to get out of the hospital early for the wedding. She got into a car accident. Can’t you be considerate?”

“Keep my friends busy. I have to talk to you today.”

I typed a message.

[Let’s break up. You can have the wedding.]