The day she agreed to marry me, I was over the moon with joy. As I slid the ring onto her finger, I leaned in close and whispered, “For the rest of my life, it’ll all be you.”
Her smile in that moment was so sweet, so radiant, it carved itself into my memory.
Before marriage, I had cherished her like a treasure in my palm. And after marriage, nothing had changed. I still did.
She never liked showing affection in public, always saying, “Our life is between the two of us. What others envy or say doesn’t matter.”
But deep down, I knew, she had been lying.
Because when she was with Evren, the school building, the playground, the tree-lined path, every corner had been a stage for their public affection.
Though I felt jealous, I never forced her. I held firm to the belief that Evren was her past. She was now my wife, and I was the one meant to stay by her side for life.
But that belief had started to crumble. Time and again, she left me for Evren.
And I was growing more and more exhausted.
Loving her was tiring.
Evren called.
“Morgana got drunk last night. I didn’t feel safe letting her go home, so she stayed at my place.”
“But don’t worry, nothing happened between us.”
Listening to the smug, provocative tone in his voice, I replied calmly, “Oh. Anything else?”
He hadn’t expected that kind of response. After a pause, he said, “Nash, you’re very self-aware. You know, making a fuss is useless.”
“Thanks for the compliment.”
I hung up, turned around, and walked straight into a nearby law firm.
I saw Morgana again on the second day of the New Year.
I was sorting through my mother’s belongings when she suddenly pushed the door open and stepped in.
“Today’s the second day of the New Year, and we’re supposed to visit my parents. I’m going to change clothes. Wait a moment, we’ll go together.”
I didn’t refuse.
After all, my father-in-law and mother-in-law had always treated me well.
Before long, Morgana came out, already dressed and ready to go.
I was a little surprised.
In the past, it would’ve taken her at least half an hour to change.
It wasn’t until I saw Evren waiting in the car that everything made sense.
So it wasn’t about New Year’s customs; she didn’t want to keep Evren waiting.
Evren smiled at me. “Nash, hop in. Today I’ll be your and Morgana’s driver. I’ll go with you to visit her parents.”
I turned and asked her, “You want him to come too?”
Morgana quickly explained, “Don’t overthink it. Evren was feeling lonely at home, so I brought him along.”
“It’s just a meal. We’ll come back after eating.”
I smiled and opened the car door, getting into the back seat. She was right, it was just a meal. The last meal.
“Morgana, you get carsick. Sit in the front.”
Evren graciously opened the passenger-side door for her.
She looked at me with hesitation, but only paused for a second before getting in.
I used to worry about her getting carsick, too.
Back then, I always offered her the front seat. But she would refuse and choose to sit in the back alone.
It didn’t matter anymore.
I turned my gaze to the rapidly passing scenery, my mind drifting to the call I’d received earlier from the funeral center.
My mother’s body had already been groomed. Her funeral was tomorrow.
The funeral director had asked if I had any additions for the ceremony.
He also suggested I discuss it with my wife, after all, the son and daughter-in-law played important roles in the service.
But watching Morgana laugh and chat with Evren in the front seat, I no longer felt like saying a word.
I quietly pulled out my phone and sent a message to the funeral center.
[Remove the daughter-in-law’s role from the funeral ceremony. Everything else stays the same.]
“Nash, who are you messaging?”
Morgana suddenly asked.
Without even looking up, I replied, “A friend.”
She didn’t press further, but throughout the rest of the ride, I kept catching her watching me through the rearview mirror, as if she wanted to say something, but couldn’t.
