A Wedding That's Forever on Hold

I've dated Andrew Carter, my surgeon boyfriend, for seven years. We plan 66 weddings, and he cancels every single one for Selena Merrick.

The first time, Selena botched a patient's injection. "Wait for me," he said, and I waited the entire day.

The second time, she slipped and fell in the shower. We were just about to exchange rings, but he ditched me at the altar without a second thought, leaving me to face the ridicule from the guests.

For all 65 weddings I held, Selena always found an excuse to lure Andrew away.

At the 65th wedding, she claimed her dog was dying and threatened to take her life. My mom collapsed from stress-induced angina, yet Andrew still ran to Selena.

Afterward, he kneels and begs us for forgiveness. "Selena is just a pitiful orphan, but you're the one I'll always love," he declares.

I give him one last chance, yet he never fails to disappoint me.

That is it. I break up with Andrew and join Doctors without Borders.

Goodbye. Let's never meet again.

Today, Andrew Carter and I held yet another wedding.

To show how sincere he was about marrying me, he invited plenty of guests. It kept me busy all day preparing the venue.

I hadn't eaten all night, and the stomach cramps were so bad I could barely stand straight. Yet, Andrew didn't notice because he was too busy chatting and laughing with Selena Merrick.

I bit back my frustration and silently prayed that this wedding would go smoothly.

That was when Selena's face went pale. She grabbed Andrew's hand and said in a panic, "Andrew, I think I just ate something with peanut butter."

Andrew immediately turned to me with eyes full of anger and blame. "What's going on? Didn't I tell you Selena is allergic to peanuts? Why would you serve something with peanut butter?"

I said nothing and simply watched Selena, knowing for a fact that I hadn't prepared anything with peanut butter.

After checking her condition, Andrew scooped her up in alarm. "This isn't good. I need to rush her to the hospital."

I gently reached out to take his hand and softly pleaded, "Just stay this once… please."

Andrew looked at me before shifting his gaze to Selena in his arms. After a brief hesitation, he soon made up his mind. "Call off the wedding. Selena's condition looks serious. She's an orphan with no family or friends, so I have to be there for her."

My parents were furious, my friends cursed under their breaths, and even the guests whispered among themselves.

"Such a shame for the bride. I've been to 65 of these weddings, and she's always left to deal with the aftermath alone."

"Exactly. The way she decorates the venue each time is so full of love. She must really love the groom to keep putting up with this."

Andrew grew impatient when I refused to let go. "Can't you be more understanding, Ivy? Allergic reactions can be life-threatening! I promise I won't miss our next wedding."

But I'd heard that promise far too many times. This was the 66th time Andrew canceled our wedding for Selena.

In the past, I cried, begged, and even screamed at him whenever he canceled the wedding. But I was used to it now. He'd never turn back, no matter how much I cried or raged.

Letting go, I forced a smile, though the pain in my stomach gnawed at me. "Go. Take Selena to the hospital. She doesn't look well."

Andrew froze. He'd never seen me so calm. For a second, he looked unsettled. "I'm so sorry, Ivy. I'll take her to the hospital and come right back."

"Sounds great," I said as I watched him leave, but I knew he wouldn't be back just like the 65 weddings before.

The pain in my stomach became so unbearable that I couldn't stay on my feet any longer. In the end, I collapsed right in front of everyone.

I had a bad stomach, and Andrew had always known that.

When we first started dating, he made sure I ate every meal. If I skipped even one, he'd worry I'd get sick.

He knew stress gave me stomachaches, so he cooked for me himself and remembered everything I disliked.

He once said he'd take care of me for a lifetime and that I mattered more to him than anyone else. But that all ended the day Selena joined the hospital.

He'd abandoned me 66 times for her, and I'd grown exhausted. I wasn't giving him another chance.

When I woke up, only my parents were by my side. They told me the wedding was officially canceled, and Andrew hadn't come back all day. They'd tried calling him to tell him I'd fainted, but their calls couldn't get through.

I laughed bitterly. Every time something happened to Selena, Andrew would always put me second to her, just because she was a pitiful orphan.

I looked over at my wedding gown, which was pure white and sacred. I'd worn it 66 times, all for Andrew.

Forcing myself up, I got out of bed and threw the gown into the trash.

Mom wiped my tears and begged, "You must come home with us, Ivy. Andrew doesn't deserve you."

After the 65th canceled wedding, my parents dragged me home. Andrew had knelt outside our house all night and begged for one last chance.

My parents gave in and allowed one final wedding, but what about the next time? What if he knelt for another three days and nights?

Regardless, I didn't have the strength to face the despair of being abandoned again.

"I'm sorry, Mom, Dad," I said. "I'm not coming home with you. I'm flying to Arnavia in three days."

I'd always wanted to join Doctors without Borders. Back then, I turned down their offer just to stay with Andrew.

Now, all I wanted was to leave him.