"Maliah always likes to play these little tricks to get my attention. Just ignore her, let her act out. If she’s able to send messages with her phone, she’s probably already back at her workplace. Why should we worry about her?" Altair patted Saoirse’s head before walking out with the dishes, ready to wash them.
I followed, watching him move with the same skill he always had, his hands effortlessly gliding over the plates. My emotions twisted inside me like a storm.
When we were together, he’d claimed he didn’t know how to do housework, so I’d taken it all on myself. For eight long years, he’d finish his meal and head straight to the bedroom to rest, leaving me with the mess. I had believed him, but I thought he was incapable. But now, watching him wash dishes without a care, I realized the truth—he hadn’t been unable; he just hadn’t cared.
Saoirse only had a mild cold, and after a quick dose of fluids, she was well enough to leave. Altair helped her adjust her clothes, casually mentioning he had already bought train tickets back to Neotopia City.
"Altai, aren’t we going to wait for Maliah?" she asked, her voice tinged with concern.
"No need," Altair replied without missing a beat. "She knows the way home, and she’s got her own feet. She’ll be fine."
Back in Neotopia, Saoirse submitted her video, and as expected, she was swiftly promoted. Her face lit up as she turned to Altair. "Altair, I couldn’t have done it without you. Thanks to you, I got promoted. Let me treat you to dinner tonight."
"Of course." Altair smiled, opening his phone to make a reservation, but his eyes caught a message from one of my colleagues. Without a second thought, he swiped it away.
One of the anchors noticed the diamond ring on Saoirse’s hand and gasped. "Saoirse, are you engaged? That ring is gorgeous!"
Saoirse blushed, her gaze turning shy as she looked at Altair, a small smile tugging at her lips.
She nodded, her heart fluttering.
Altair and I had been together for eight years. Just a month ago, we were deep in the wedding plans, and our families were already discussing the details. Then, five days ago, I found a box with a diamond ring in Altair’s pocket. My heart soared; he was about to propose.
But days went by, and the proposal never came. Then, I saw Saoirse’s social media post.
"Thank you to my childhood sweetheart! This lifetime, I finally got my diamond ring."
The very same ring.
When I confronted Altair, he explained that Saoirse had asked him to buy it for her, insisting I had misunderstood. Seeing my frustration, he promised we’d get our marriage certificate next week. I wanted to believe him, so I did, just for a moment.
"Keep it quiet. The people at the station are too nosy," Altair chided Saoirse.
"I’m just so happy! You kept your promise, and I’m finally where I’ve dreamed of being. Of course, I want to shout it to the world!" Saoirse clung to his arm, her smile wide and bright.
Altair didn’t pull away. Instead, he wrapped his arm around her waist, a soft chuckle escaping his lips.
After their meal, Saoirse claimed she’d drunk too much and needed to rest. Without a second thought, Altair escorted her to what was meant to be our marital home.
This house had been a gift from my parents, part of my dowry. Newly renovated just a few months ago, it was supposed to be the place we’d call home after getting our marriage certificate.
As soon as they entered, Saoirse leaned weakly against Altair.
"Altair, can you wait for me..." She edged closer, her eyes brimming with unshed tears.
Altair froze, his breath hitching as their faces drew nearer.
Then, the shrill ring of a phone broke the spell. Annoyed, Altair answered.
It was Ravenna, one of my colleagues, telling him that my body had been transported back to Neotopia and that my family needed to sign for it.
Altair’s laughter was cold. "I have to say, Maliah’s colleagues sure have too much time on their hands. She must’ve worked hard to get you all to play along with this nonsense.
Tell Maliah that if she keeps this up, I won’t marry her."
The line went quiet for a moment. Just as Ravenna began to respond, Altair cut the call.
Saoirse was much more sober now. She rested against him, her voice soft and uncertain. "Altair, are you really not going to marry her anymore?"
Altair hesitated, his gaze distant for a moment.
