I Am Getting Married, But Not to Him

I had known Joshua for seven years. When we got married, he followed my wishes for a simple meal with just our families and a few of my close friends.

Joshua was always kind and considerate towards me. Fearing that I would be tired from the wedding, he secretly had his friend bring my flat shoes to the dinner and discreetly helped me change into them. He even picked out the seafood from the soup for me in advance.

He told me that if I felt tired, I could go upstairs to rest for a while and that he would take care of the guests, assuring me that everything was under control.

I nodded, feeling naturally at ease with him.

My best friend sat next to me and, finally having a moment to herself, she playfully teased me about my relationship.

"Joshua is truly a gem of a husband, so thoughtful. He even makes someone like me, who's not interested in marriage, start to dream about love," she said.

I smiled and gave her a sidelong glance.

Suddenly, she seemed to remember something, dropped her serious smile, and turned to look at Joshua, who was clinking glasses with guests not far away.

"But originally, we all thought you would end up with Jake."

Hearing that name, I looked down, always believing that I might not be able to get over him. Yet at that moment, I found a serene calm deep within myself.

After all, I had indeed thought the same.

My friend asked if Jake knew I was married.

I scoffed lightly. How could he possibly know? His heart was filled with his unrequited first love, Chloe.

But to me, that no longer mattered.

From the moment he left me, he was destined to be just a passerby in my life.

Seeing me shake my head, my friend pursed her lips, then her phone rang. She looked at it and then turned to me with a complicated look.

"Andrea, Jake is coming back."

I acknowledged this news.

He had always been a free spirit, but this time, his return meant that some things had quietly changed.

---

A month ago, I had a severe bout of gastritis. The pain was so intense that I was feverish and too weak to even drink warm water. My chapped lips made speaking difficult. Just opening my mouth caused a searing pain.

It was then that Jake's first love, Chloe, called him, telling him she was moving abroad and hoped Jake could spend some time with her, as she was unfamiliar with life overseas, unlike Jake, who had lived there for several years.

At that time, Jake sat by my bed, not even offering a look of concern. Instead, he swiftly booked a flight right in front of me and told me he would arrange for someone to take care of me during his absence.

I knew Chloe's place in his heart, but I still resented not being able to earn a call from his first love, even after seven years of companionship.

Enduring both physical and emotional torment, I asked him if he could stay to take care of me, if he could stay by my side.

Only then did Jake look up at me, gently rubbed my hair, and told me to wait obediently for his return, promising to bring back the little cakes I loved.

"Oh, and that bag you like. The salesperson said it's in stock now. I'll have it delivered," he mentioned.

I pressed my lips together, opting not to speak further.

I had been with Jake for seven years, during which he gifted me plenty, like bags, necklaces, bracelets, and rubies. He never hesitated to spend on me, always generous.

Yet, I knew that those gifts were actually chosen by his assistant.

But for Chloe, he always picked them out himself, and each was incredibly valuable.

On Chloe's birthday, he had once gifted her a ruby ring.

I told him that I did not care about the bags. I wanted his company.

His expression darkened instantly. Seeing my disobedience, he dropped a phrase that chilled me to the bone.

"Andrea, when we started dating, we agreed that if Chloe ever needed me, I would always get to her."

"So, stop being unreasonable. You know I don't like pretentious girls."

His words stifled me, leaving me speechless for a long while.

It snapped me back to reality. Yes, I was the one who fell for Jake first.

It was I who doggedly pursued him.

Eventually, he agreed to date me, but he made it clear he had someone he liked, named Chloe.

Should Chloe ever need him, he would choose her first.

He said if I couldn't accept that, he probably couldn't be with me.

I nodded, agreeing to his condition.

I knew he was being diplomatic, but in truth, I was just his backup, someone he could call or dismiss at will. I meant nothing to him.

Seeing my silence, he nodded in satisfaction and lightly kissed my dry lips.

"Stay home, and let me know if you want anything. I'll buy it for you."

I asked him when he might return this time.

He hesitated, seemingly unsure, but eventually gave a noncommittal answer.

"About a week or so."

With that, he quickly packed his things, grabbed his luggage, and left the apartment.

The moment the door closed, tears uncontrollably streamed down my cheeks.

I should have understood from the start. Jake could give me everything but love.

As the stomach pain blurred my vision, I thought I heard the apartment door open and a man's figure approaching from afar to right before me, gently lifting me onto the bed.

I wanted to open my eyes to see him, but I was too tired, and I drifted into sleep.

At that moment, inhaling his scent, I think I knew.

The one holding me had to be him.