Chapter 2

I did many things within that hour.

Audrey arrived in ten minutes. We went to City Hall, signed the marriage papers, then picked up our immigration visas, and even bought one-way tickets to leave the country in seven days.

I rushed to the wedding venue, dispersed the guests, apologized profusely to each person, and handed out the carefully selected wedding favors I’d prepared.

After all that, an hour and a half had passed since the wedding was supposed to start, and Victoria still hadn't arrived.

I went home, packed all my belongings into a suitcase, and stared blankly at the red wedding decals above our bed for ten minutes. At the exact moment we should have been exchanging rings, I finally made the call.

Victoria answered after a long delay, her voice a little hoarse.

"Sorry, Daniel, I drank too much last night and forgot to set my alarm. I'm on my way now, can you ask the host to keep things going…?"

"No need. I've already sent the guests home. The auspicious hour was long gone. Let's do it another day."

My tone was flat, devoid of emotion.

Victoria paused slightly. "Daniel, I'm so lucky to be marrying such a thoughtful and caring husband."

Then I heard her say, "I'm sorry."

I didn't know if she was apologizing for being late to the wedding today, or for something else entirely.

I softly hummed in acknowledgment and hung up the phone.

While Audrey and I were waiting in line at City Hall, I received a message from Leo.

I tapped the voice message. Leo was sobbing, begging Victoria to stay.

"Victoria, it's been a thousand times, how can I still not move on? I can't forget you! Not even after a thousand times!"

Victoria was silent for a moment, her voice trembling.

"Then let's keep going, until you completely forget."

Leo continued to ask, "Can't you just not marry him?"

Victoria's low voice carried a hint of sorrow, "I can't. Leo, it's over between us."

Leo suddenly pushed her away. "We only stockpiled a thousand condoms! There won't be a thousand and first time! Just leave!"

A long silence.

I heard Victoria trying to soothe Leo, "I'm pregnant. I'll take responsibility myself. I'll tell Daniel everything and have the baby."

The clock pointed to ten. I didn't know if this was their thousandth-and-something time.

I only knew Victoria was lying to me. They had gotten so caught up that not only had she not made it to the wedding, she probably hadn't even managed to tear herself away from Leo.

Our wedding home had been completely redecorated, inside and out. I had personally pasted every single one of the nine hundred ninety-nine red wedding decals.

I thought those numbers were about us, so every time Victoria’s counter increased by one, I bought another decal and put it up in the house.

Now, there was no need to tear them down. I’d leave them for whoever needed them next.

We had lived together for three years, and I didn't have much luggage. Audrey, always efficient and no-nonsense, couldn't wait and came to pick me up herself.

Audrey’s car and Victoria’s car passed each other at the entrance to our apartment complex. Leo, in the passenger seat of Victoria’s car, and I, in the passenger seat of Audrey’s, exchanged a distant glance. A silent understanding passed between us, and neither of us spoke.

Audrey cleared her throat. "Should we say hello? Or start a fight?"

I finally cracked a smile and told her to focus on driving.

Seven days later, Audrey and I would emigrate. Our new home was already bought overseas, so Audrey first dropped me off at my parents’ house.

"I need to handle some company matters. I'll pick you up in seven days."

I nodded faintly and ignored Victoria’s incoming call.