My Wedding, His Farce

After studying abroad for two years, I cut my time short, eagerly looking forward to returning to Solaria, ready to marry.

As I was decorating our future home, I discovered thousands of plane tickets carefully preserved by my boyfriend of ten years, Ansel Stormvale.

Every month, he had been traveling to Lunaria at least once and it wasn’t to see me.

Even though I was only 100 kilometers away from his destination in Lunaria.

I arrived early at the place where he had planned to propose to me, only to see him on one knee, proposing to someone else.

“Elara Dawnlight, will you marry me? As soon as you say yes, I’ll switch brides immediately!”

His gaze was filled with anticipation and I couldn’t take another step forward.

Since I was not the one he wants to spend his life with, I might as well let them have this wedding.

But after I ran away, he crossed oceans and continents, searching the world for me!

Chapter 1

The proposal site was decorated with roses,romantic and intimate.

Ansel,kneeling on one knee,was the exact image of the proposal I had dreamed of countless times.

But the person standing in front of him wasn’t me!

“Elara,will you marry me?”

Elara covered her mouth with one hand,trembling as she took the roses with the other.

A dazzling diamond ring was slipped onto her finger.

The two embraced tightly.Their intimate whispers carried to my ears by the wind.

I found myself unconsciously rubbing the matching ring Ansel had sent me from across the sea.

I never told him the ring was too big.

To keep it from slipping off,I had wrapped half a loop of red thread around it to make it fit.

Perhaps after all this time,when I tugged at the thread,it came undone.

The ring,freed from the thread that once held it in place,slipped off my finger in an instant and rolled into a distant drain.

Just like Ansel,who,after two years abroad,was no longer tied down by me.

An ill-fitting ring doesn’t need to be retrieved,just as a man who didn't love me didn't need to be held onto!

"Ansel,I hope your wedding goes as planned."

"Why?The only one I want to marry is you!"

"Because...I plan to crash your wedding!That way,it will prove you're truly in love with me!"

My steps faltered.

Because I was curious just how far Ansel would go to hurt me for Elara's sake.

"Only you could come up with such a crazy idea!"

"Then I better prepare an extra pair of running shoes,so I can run faster when we elope!"

"Are you really willing to do this to Stella?"

"Marrying her to keep my promise is already the most I can do.If she can't keep her husband from being whisked away at the altar,she can’t blame me,can she?"

Their happy laughter formed a sharp contrast with the sadness in my heart.

I turned around,leaning against a tree,my legs so weak I couldn’t move an inch.

Fearing that my sobs might alert them,I covered my mouth tightly and walked away.

But halfway home,my legs gave out and I fell hard onto the ground.

I returned home,battered and broken and dialed my advisor's number.

"Professor,I’ve decided to join that research project you mentioned."

My academic advisor was thrilled,but also puzzled.

"Didn't you say you were planning to settle down in Solaria after your marriage?Did your husband agree to a long-distance arrangement?Being apart after marriage can be really challenging.Are you sure you don't want to rethink this decision?"

"The wedding is off.From now on,I'll be your right hand,fully devoted to research!"

My advisor,who treats me like his own daughter,immediately sensed something was wrong.

"Today’s the deadline.I’ll put your name on the list.Come back soon so we can dive into the work.Keeping busy will help take your mind off things."

"Don’t think I’m meddling,but over the past two years,it’s always been you looking after Solaria,while he’s never bothered to come to Lunaria.That’s a clear sign he doesn’t love you as much as you believed."

"Once you’ve made up your mind to move on,don’t linger in the past!"

If it weren’t for that thick stack of flight tickets,I could have confidently dismissed my advisor’s comment that“he doesn’t love you as much.”

No wonder he was always out of touch at the end of each month.

Turns out,he was busy traveling thousands of miles to be with Elara!

For two whole years,I felt like a fool,desperately racing to finish coursework and publish papers,just to carve out time to fly domestically to see him.

Those brief meetings after long flights were once the happiest moments of my life.

Yet,my cross-ocean love,in the face of that stack of tickets Ansel cherished,had become a joke.

As I made my way to the proposal site,I tried to convince myself that maybe he had traveled to Lunaria for work.

When I saw him proposing to Elara,it became clear why he hadn’t visited me despite the mere hundred kilometers between us.

Elara had barred him from seeing me,leaving him to weave stories of sorrow to explain his absence.

He knew exactly how much Elara and I were sworn enemies.

After my father remarried,Elara and her daughter became the most persistent shadows of my childhood.

I had imagined countless scenarios over the past two years of our long-distance relationship.

Ansel might fall for someone else,I thought,but I never expected him to fall for Elara.I never anticipated that he would go so far as to agree to let me be humiliated at the wedding just to please her.

I submerged myself in a warm bath,the heat gradually stopping my trembling.

Then,Ansel’s call came in.

“Stella,where are you?I’m already at the seaside park!”

Chapter 2

I stayed silent.

Ansel grew anxious.

“Stella,what’s wrong?Are you upset?”

“Where are you?I’ll come pick you up right now!”

He remained as attentive and caring as ever,able to pick up on my emotions and offer comfort.

“I’m at home.I don’t want to go to the park today.”

There was a brief pause before Ansel spoke again,still trying to reassure me.

“Alright,I’ll come home right away to be with you.”

He didn’t question why I had canceled.

It wasn’t that his love for me was so profound that he could overlook my whims.

It was simply that he had successfully proposed to Elara in the carefully orchestrated setting.

I was merely his backup plan for when the proposal didn't go as expected.

As Ansel walked in,I was just coming out of the bathroom.

Seeing Elara behind him,I couldn’t help but frown.

“Why did you bring her here?”I asked warningly.

Ansel,looking a bit guilty.

“Stella,I ran into Elara downstairs and found out she lives in our neighborhood.She heard you were at Solaria and insisted on coming up to apologize…”

I watched him coldly,unimpressed by his performance.

“Stella,my mom and I were in the wrong back then.I’m apologizing on her behalf.Can you find it in yourself to forgive us?”

I turned to Ansel,my voice shaking.

“So,you think I should forgive them—both mother and daughter?”

I didn’t ask why he fell for Elara.It would have made me seem too weak.

As I stubbornly waited for his response,Ansel’s guilt seemed to dissolve into the air.

“Stella,Elara was just a kid back then.She didn’t understand right from wrong.She’s been remorseful for years and has already apologized to you.Why hold onto the past so tightly?”

Losing my mom was hard—that's what I call the past.

Refusing to forgive Elara wasn't about being petty.

He was the one who took me to the hospital back then;he knows better than anyone how deeply I loathe my stepmother and stepsister.

Yet,he chose to fall in love with Elara and align himself against me.

When Ansel reached out to take my hand,trying to broker peace with Elara,I slapped his hand away.

“Ansel,what gives you the right to ask me to forgive them?”I asked sharply.

Ansel looked at the back of my hand,now red from where I had slapped him and frowned in confusion and discontent.

“Stella,I’m trying to help you.You’re without parents now and Elara and her daughter are the only family you have left.Why hold on to the past and continue to suffer?”

“You need to move forward,don’t you?”

Ansel’s words were meant to be comforting,but the impatience I knew so well was already showing through his otherwise calm and composed face.

But there was no longer the familiar tenderness and care in his voice.

I could feel my heart,already battered and broken.

The pain was so intense it left me almost speechless.

Elara’s eyes,brimming with feigned sorrow,held a glint of the same smugness and provocation as before.

“Stella,it’s alright if you can’t forgive me.I’ll keep repenting and feeling guilty until you accept me as your non-biological family.”

“Get out!”

Chapter 3

I gripped the hallway railing tightly to control my emotions and stay calm.

Ansel’s impatience was unmistakable.

“Stella,why are you being so unreasonable?Nobody is perfect—where has your tolerance gone?”he slightly raised his tone.

He witnessed everything that happened back then.

Once,he had been willing to argue with them on my behalf.

What on earth had driven him to oppose me and start defending Elara?

I told Ansel,word by word.

“Unless she dies before my eyes,I will never forgive her!”

Ansel’s forehead was throbbing and he was visibly about to lose his temper.

This was the same look he had when he used to rage at Elara and her daughter on my behalf.

“Stella!How did you become so bitter after just two years?If you can’t find it in yourself to forgive her,then at least apologize to Elara!I can’t stand the thought of people mocking my fiancée as a spiteful,resentful woman!”

“Your mother’s decision to end her life was her own weakness.If she had considered your youth,your father wouldn’t have had to remarry!Don’t blame all your misfortune on Elara and her daughter.Her mother made mistakes,but she didn’t deserve to die!If you,like your mother,are going to stubbornly wallow in your misery,then it’s no wonder you’re plagued by nightmares!”

He practically spat out the word“nightmares”through gritted teeth.

The revulsion that flashed across his face was clear to me.

So,the person who swore to protect me for the rest of his life was obviously fed up with my situation.

In the end,all my misfortune and pain had become the sword he used to wound me,leaving me scarred and broken once more.

Once,the man who would feel heartache and tear up at the mention of my nightmares no longer held me close and promised.

“Stella,as long as I’m here,no nightmare or monster can hurt you!”

He had once used his love and care to pull me out of the abyss,but now he was the one who had shoved me back in.

For Elara’s sake,he said I deserved it!

Trembling uncontrollably,I could no longer cling to the hallway and staggered backward.

Ansel quickly steadied me,only to see that my knee was swollen and bruised.

He immediately checked my injuries.

“How did you hurt your knee so badly?”

“Forget it.If you won’t apologize,I’ll do it for you,but you mustn’t be so disrespectful in the future.”

I wrenched my hand away with all my strength,my face ashen as I pointed toward the door.

“Get out!All of you,get out!”

Ansel,recognizing my vulnerability,tried to soothe me with a comforting embrace.

But Elara,tears streaming down her face,bowed deeply.

“Stella,I’m leaving now.Please don't make yourself suffer for this.”

As she turned to leave,she spun too quickly,crashing into the doorframe and falling sideways.

Ansel instantly released me and rushed to catch her.They both tumbled out into the hallway together.

Despite everything,Elara’s head still struck the doorframe,instantly turning red with a hint of blood seeping out.

Ansel scrambled to his feet,cradling her as he rushed towards the elevator.

“Elara,does it hurt?I’m taking you to see a doctor right now!”

The doorway finally fell silent.

My heart sank to the depths.

After ten years of knowing each other and ten years of love,we had reached this point of estrangement.

I took out my phone and booked a flight for the day of the wedding.

With seven days left,it was just enough time to clear away everything from the past.

Ansel was right;one must look forward.

From now on,I would sever all ties with the joys and sorrows of the past!

Chapter 4

I threw away all the wedding supplies I had meticulously prepared.

This house,which was never truly mine,was now devoid of any trace of me.

In the end,only the tickets I had carefully kept as a diary of love remained.

With a moment's hesitation,I threw each one into the fire.

Each ticket consumed by the flames represented a part of me that loved Ansel.

When the burning finally ceased,only a pile of ashes and acrid smoke remained.

It was just like the love I had given over these ten years.

The next morning,the aroma of breakfast woke me up.

“Stella,hurry up and get ready.I’ve already made breakfast.”

“You go ahead and eat.I’ll take breakfast to Elara so you don’t have to.”

“Okay.”

Ansel paused,his hand holding the thermal container.

"Don’t feel guilty.Elara doesn’t blame you."

"After breakfast,let's pick out a new engagement ring for the wedding.The custom one had some issues and won’t arrive in time for the wedding day."

"Okay."

He enjoyed playing the role,so I would just go along with it.

Perhaps sensing my lack of enthusiasm,Ansel hesitantly brought out the first aid kit and applied medication to my knee.

“Stella,we’ve been in love for years.Everything I’ve done is for your good.I don’t want us to have a wedding where you have no family present.”

“You mentioned not finding a maid of honor?I’ve taken the liberty of asking Elara to be your maid of honor.”

“Okay.”

Ansel spoke cautiously,but when he saw my quick agreement,disbelief filled his eyes.

After delivering breakfast to Elara,he didn’t come back.

As I scrubbed my palms with fervor,his call came in.

“Stella,finish eating and come down to the garage.I’ll be waiting in the car.”

When I reached the garage,I instinctively opened the front passenger door,only to find Elara already sitting there.

Without a word,I took a seat in the back.

Ansel glanced at me a few times and seemed quite pleased with my understanding.

“Stella,Elara designs jewelry.With her here,she’ll definitely help you pick out a ring you’ll love.”

I nodded and closed my eyes,pretending to rest.

When I unconsciously opened my eyes,I saw Ansel gently pinching Elara’s cheek.

In the rearview mirror,our eyes met and he quickly started to explain.

“Elara had something on her face,so I was just helping her wipe it off.”

I closed my eyes again and kept them shut until we arrived.

As the three of us entered the jewelry store,the sales associate greeted Elara,who was standing close to Ansel,with great enthusiasm.

“What can I help you with today,sir?Are you looking for something special for your loved one?”

Elara and Ansel both blushed.

Ansel swiftly pulled me closer.

“Why are you standing so far away?Come over and pick out a ring!”

The sales associate blushed deeply and quickly brought out the rings for me to choose from.

But Elara took the lead,inspecting each one with a critical eye.

“This one’s not big enough.”

“This one’s color isn’t right.”

...

None of the other rings measured up when compared to the one Elara was holding.

The sales associate glanced at me,visibly uncertain of how to proceed.

Elara,however,acted as if she hadn’t noticed and ultimately chose a rather plain ring.

“Stella,let’s settle for this one for now.It’ll work for the wedding.I’ll design a better one for you later,”she said.

The sales associate,clearly uncomfortable,awkwardly praised Elara for her“exceptional”taste.

Elara,with a hint of pride,thrust her hand in front of me.

“It has to be beautiful.It’s custom-designed by my fiancé.”

Ansel stood quietly beside her,watching her flaunt the ring without stopping her or showing any sign of discomfort.His smile,however,seemed to bloom with the spring breeze.

“Then we’ll go with the one Elara picked!”he said.

Skipping even the try-on process,Ansel paid for the ring immediately.

He took out the ring and,with a blank expression,slid it onto my finger.

There was no kneeling,no roses,no proposal.

This time,the ring was small,barely fitting.

I knew,without a doubt,that Elara had done this on purpose.

As a jewelry designer,Elara could accurately gauge the ring size at a glance.Such a significant mistake was impossible.

I didn’t bother pointing it out and simply removed the ring.

The sales associate kindly suggested that I choose a different style,but I declined.

“Let’s just buy this one and get it over with.No need to make it more complicated.”

Ansel,hearing this,was clearly displeased with my tone.

“If you’re not happy with it,we don’t have to buy it.Elara can help you get a custom one later,”he offered.

I shook my head and refused.

“No,this one is fine.”

Elara,however,looked deeply remorseful,her eyes brimming with tears once again.

“Stella,I’m going straight to the studio to work on the design.I’ll make sure you have a perfect wedding!”

With that,she quickly left.

No matter how much Ansel shouted after her,she didn’t stop.

“Stella,what’s the matter with you?It’s just a ring—why are you making such a fuss?”

I was taken aback.

“What am I making a fuss about?”

He pressed his lips tightly together and pulled me out of the store.

“I have work to attend to.We can take the wedding photos later.”

“Or,you could take your solo photos first and I’ll have the designers Photoshop my suit onto them for the wedding.”

“Okay.”

Ansel’s explanations got caught in his throat.

He looked at me for a long moment before gently embracing me.

“Stella,once I’m done with work,I’ll take you on a honeymoon trip and we can do a travel-themed bridal photoshoot.”

To me,his dismissive promise of a honeymoon felt like a joke.

He had no time to visit me in Lunaria,but he had plenty of time to accompany Elara to Glaciara to see the penguins and to North Tundra to watch the northern lights.

Seeing his location and profile picture hurrying towards Elara’s studio,I went back into the store and returned the ring to the sales associate.

As I expected,Ansel didn’t come home for two days.

He was accompanying Elara to the seaside for their wedding photos.

And indeed,he had someone Photoshop our faces onto their wedding pictures.

Determined to avoid the wedding,he’ll probably only come back for my parents'anniversaries.

I went to the cemetery with two bouquets to visit them.

I also added the caretaker to manage things in the future.

“I’ll cover the management fees for my parents from now on.Just refuse any payments from Mr.Stormvale.”

The caretaker was taken aback after checking the system.

"Miss,the management fees for your parents'graves have been overdue for six months.We've tried contacting the family,but the phone has been unreachable."

Realizing that I had changed my number after going abroad,I couldn’t help but feel frustrated with myself.

Ansel no longer cares about me;how could he remember my deceased parents?

I paid the outstanding fees and also prepaid for ten years,then left feeling dejected.

But just as I was walking out of the cemetery,I heard a voice I’d never forget in this lifetime.

“Ansel,it’s impressive that you remember today is Elara’s real dad’s memorial day!”

I turned around stiffly and saw Ansel,flanked by Elara and her mother,climbing the steps.

“Auntie,this is what I should be doing.”

“Don’t be silly,call me‘Mom’in a few days!”

Ansel chuckled heartily and,without hesitation,called her"Mom."

With tears in my eyes,I quietly went to meet my friends.

I got straight to the point and told them that the wedding was canceled.

They exchanged glances and then cautiously asked me,

“Stella,you already know?”

I was puzzled why they also knew.

In a fit of indignation,they pulled out photos of Ansel and Elara together at the hospital for their pre-marital checkup.

“Stella,we support your decision to escape the wedding.I’d love to see what a wedding without a bride looks like—Elara showing up to steal the wedding will be a huge joke!”

Their words made me somewhat look forward to it.

The day before the wedding,Ansel came home with a brand-new pair of running shoes.

I asked him calmly,“Aren’t you the one who hates running shoes?”

He paused for a moment,then patted my head.

“Tomorrow,I’ll need to run fast with the bride on my back!”

The bride he mentioned isn’t me.

The smile that suddenly appeared on his face wasn’t because of me either.

It seems that making me the center of a public wedding theft to prove his love for Elara made him quite happy.

The next day,I had walked around the wedding venue.

Gigantic posters had magnified every trace of photo-editing on the wedding pictures.

I had pulled out a pair of scissors,cut out my youthful,radiant face and then took a cab to the airport.

When the flight attendant reminded me to turn off my phone,Ansel’s calls had started flooding in.