The next morning,I went to the company and handed in my resignation.
My coworkers were shocked.
“Wait,are you quitting because Luke wants you to be a full-time housewife?”
I shook my head.
“No.I'm going abroad to study.”
"Oh,aren't you getting married soon?You love him so much,are you willing to endure a long-distance relationship?"
I answered casually as I packed my things,“There won't be a wedding anymore.He's not that important to me now.”
In the past,I had given up too much for them.
I loved art,but I chose science because Luke and Jessica did.
I dreamed of attending art school,but I followed them to the same university instead.
Again and again,I changed my plans just to stay close to them.
For so many years,my life has always revolved around them.I had never once followed my own heart in making a choice.
This time,I didn't want to compromise anymore.
After finishing my resignation,I packed my things and went home.
Luke was already there.A faint smell of alcohol lingered around him as he approached me.
As usual,he hugged me.
"I was too tired from playing last night,and it ended too late."
He buried his face in my neck,explaining casually.
"Jessica drank too much and no one was looking after her,so I took her home.It was too late,so I just stayed at her place,afraid of disturbing your rest if I came back in the middle of the night."
I froze,completely still.
This morning,I saw Jessica's post on social media.
[A morning taking care of a drunk boy.]
The accompanying picture showed the two of them wearing matching gray pajamas,making breakfast in the kitchen.
Their figures were intertwined,like a real couple.
Listening to his explanation now,I felt nothing except disgust.
He seemed to notice my cold expression and grabbed my hand.
“Okay,don’t be angry.Let’s go see the new house.Everything’s ready,and we can move in soon.”
Before I could refuse,he pulled me downstairs,shoved me into the car,and drove to the bridal chamber.
The moment I pushed open the door,I froze.
The room had been transformed into Jessica’s favorite minimalist white style.The soft furnishings I had carefully chosen had all changed.
“How is it?This is our bridal chamber.Perfect,right?”
Luke smiled at me,then led me on a tour of each room.
It wasn’t until we reached the study that I realized it had become Jessica’s bedroom.
This was a space I had personally designed over six months.I had fantasized countless times about reading,drawing,and designing here.It was my only private sanctuary.
I let out a cold laugh.
“This isn't our home,Luke.It's yours and Jessica's.”
Luke frowned slightly,thinking I was jealous again,and looked at me reproachfully.
“You know Jessica's situation.She isn't happy at home.While this place is big enough.Giving her one bedroom isn't a big deal.That way,she can stay whenever she wants and always have somewhere to go.”
Back then,I said more than once that after we got married,I would definitely buy her a house across from mine.
So she could ask us as her family for help and have a house of her own.
At that time,I thought,having the person I love by my side,and my best friend across the street,would be so blissful.
My heart suddenly ached,and I gave a hoarse,bitter laugh,saying nothing more.
Luke looked at my indifferent expression.His face suddenly turned ashen and anger rising in his eyes.
“Kath,when did you become this selfish,so cold-hearted?”
“Jessica grew up with us since she was little,all alone.What’s wrong with giving her a bedroom?”
I almost laughed.I hadn't even argued.Yet he was already calling me selfish and cold-hearted.
But weren’t they the selfish ones all along?
Instantly,a familiar wave of grievance surged up,suffocating me.
In high school,my favorite drawing board was smashed by Jessica,and he told me not to blame her,saying she didn't do it on purpose.
In college,I fought for a competition spot for a long time,and when Jessica said she wanted it,he made me give it up.
Even on every anniversary and every trip after we started dating,he always prioritized Jessica's time,preferences,and mood.
I swallowed the lump in my throat.I was too tired to argue with him anymore.
"Fine,I'll give it to her!"
Luke sighed,impatiently loosening his tie.
"Alright,stop being short-tempered,there's still the wedding rehearsal in a bit."
Only then did I remember that today was the rehearsal day.
As soon as he finished speaking,he pulled me into the car and took me to the wedding venue.
The entire venue was beautifully decorated,with gardenias everywhere.Everything was arranged according to Jessica's wishes.
Even the person standing in the center of the stage now,wearing my custom-made wedding dress,walking the rehearsal steps for me…was Jessica.
She gracefully moved,stood,and turned with the emcee.
All the staff and wedding team members surrounded her,quietly giving instructions on the process.
"Adjust the bride's position a bit more."
"Remember to slow down the ceremony later."
Our mutual friends below the stage watched,taking photos to commemorate the moment.
"Jessica looks so beautiful in that wedding dress!"
"Everyone knows Jessica and Katherine are like one person."
"She knows Katherine is busy and worried about her getting tired,so she volunteered to rehearse the whole process for her."
Luke stood beside me,giving an awkward smile,explaining,"Jessica handled all the procedures because she's more familiar with them.Don't worry about these little things,Kath."
I chuckled softly.
In his eyes,everything was a little thing.
Looking at Jessica on stage,wearing the wedding dress that should have been mine,taking my place in everything,I suddenly realized that I wasn't so heartbroken anymore.
So I spoke calmly,"I didn't mind.Since she's so suitable,then let her be the bride."
"Luke,we're done!"
Just then,the emcee's voice echoed through the speakers.
"Where's the groom?Come here,let's exchange wedding rings."
Luke waved in that direction."Coming!"
Then he turned to me."Kath,what did you just say?I didn't hear you clearly."
Before I could say anything more,his friends rushed over and dragged him away.
“What are you waiting for,Luke?Jessica's getting impatient!”
I watched him walk toward her.
Then I smiled.
Turned around.
And left.
