It had been five years since the death of my wife when my daughter and I went to the wedding of my closest friend. However, my heart sank when he lowered the veil that was covering the bride. The question “Daddy, why are you crying?” was said by my daughter as she pulled on my sleeve. My gaze was met by the bride, and at that instant, everything I had previously believed to be true came crumbling down around me.
I had no intention of attending that party anyway. I was nearly dragged there by my friend Alex, who swore that it would help lift the cloud that I had been stuck in ever since the accident because of it.
“You need this, Mason,” he added as he nudged me into the entryway of an apartment facility located in the downtown area. A single hour. After that, you are free to live your life as a recluse.
On the construction site, I had been working double shifts for the entire week, and my body was hurting so badly that it seemed like I had been poured into a mold of concrete. The very last thing I wanted was to be standing about drinking warm beer with people I had never met before who had never even held a wrench in their lives.
On the other hand, life has a tendency to shift at the most unexpected times.
There were a lot of people there, and they were drinking cocktails and talking about places that I couldn’t afford. They were dressed as if they were trying out for a fashion show. In my old pants and dirty boots, I stood out from the crowd.
I was able to catch a glimpse of her, Lena.
Neither was she supposed to be there in the first place. After some time had passed, I discovered that she had just stopped over to deliver something to a friend. Nevertheless, our eyes locked across the room like a magnet drawing steel, and everything that was going on around us simply vanished.
“Who exactly is that?” While gesturing in her direction, I asked Alex.
The moment he caught my attention, he let out a soft whistle. Lena Montgomery, please. Don’t squander your time, individual. A significant portion of the city is owned by her family.
But I had already begun to make my way toward her.
When I got closer, she smiled, and the impact of that grin was like a jackhammer hitting myself.
As I extended my hand, I introduced myself as Mason.
“Lena,” she responded, exuding self-assurance and composure. She held on with a tight hold, and her eyes were piercing with inquiry. It appears that you are just as at ease in this location as I am.
We talked for a considerable amount of time. It was not what I had anticipated; she did not exhibit any signs of arrogance or entitlement. I just found him to be kind and honest, with a dry sense of humor that was similar to mine.
“My parents would hate you,” she whispered to me as I escorted her to her car beneath the moonlight after we had finished our walk.
I let out a chuckle. That is a deal-breaker, right?
She gave me a head shake and glanced up at me. “Most likely? But I don’t think it matters to me.”
We tied the knot after a period of six months.
The absence of her parents was noted. Without a second thought, they severed all links with her, leaving her without a trust fund, no family ties, and no financial cushion. On our own.
On the other hand, Lena gave me a grin and stated, “I did not marry money.” It was I who wed you.
And for a period of time, that was sufficient.
When we moved into our new flat, it was a cramped space with weak walls and paint that was flaking. During the day, I worked in the construction industry, and during the evenings, I studied architectural design. A position was offered to Lena at a local art gallery. We were able to get by. We laughed at each other. It was love.
After Emma was born, everything underwent a transformation.
It did not happen instantly. But the gleam that had been in Lena’s eyes gradually faded away. Then she began to draw parallels between our life and the one she had left behind.
In the middle of the night, she was stirring a pot of macaroni and cheese when she made the statement, “My college roommate just bought a house in the Hamptons.”
I whispered, “That’s nice,” as I stooped over the designs that were sitting on our kitchen table.
The invitation to visit was extended to us, but I informed her that we were unable to afford the journey.
I did not give a response.
“When are you going to see a change for the better, Mason?” putting the spoon down, she inquired more loudly. “When Emma is attending college?—” “When we are too old to take pleasure in it?”
It was me who said, “I’m doing my best.” The situation is getting better.
“The rate at which they are improving is lacking.”
From that point on, everything fell apart. Arguments became more intense. They seemed to last longer. The dreams that we had once shared with one other now felt to her like chains.
During one of the most disastrous disagreements we had ever had, she yelled out, “This is not what I signed up for.”
In an effort to maintain my composure, I stated, “When you married me, you were aware of who I was.”
It is possible that this was the issue. I had hope that you would develop farther.
I arrived home early the following day, carrying a bouquet of sunflowers, which were her favorite flowers. I wanted to express my regret.
Nevertheless, she had already left.
Her closet was devoid of any items. Suitcase is not present. A message was discovered by me in Emma’s cot.
“I am seeking a divorce. Mason, I am truly sorry. We made a mistake when we got married. Emma was left with Mrs. Brooks, who lives next door. You are free to keep her.”
Numerous times, I called her on the phone. There is no response.
As I drove to her parents’ estate, I was overcome with fear. At the entrance, I was greeted by a security guard.
No, you are not permitted to be here, sir.
“I urgently need to have a conversation with Lena,” I pleaded.
It was directed to me that I should not let you in.
At the end of the second day, a messenger brought me the divorce papers. All of Lena’s parental rights had been fully surrendered. Everything was managed with mechanical precision by the attorneys representing her family.
What followed was the decisive blow.
It had been six months after she had disappeared when I finally, in a desperate attempt, called her family.
“It’s too late,” her mother stated in a chilly tone. A automobile accident claimed the life of Lena a month ago. Don’t make another call. To her, you were of no significance.
Make a click.
All of a sudden, she was no longer there.
My tears were more intense than I ever imagined they could be, and I collapsed to the floor of the kitchen. The sound of Emma’s cries broke the silence, and even though my arms were shaking, I moved over to console her.
Even if I tried to visit the grave, they wouldn’t let me.
I proceeded to bury her in my memories and concentrate on the one thing that she had left behind, which was our kid.
Following the completion of my degree, I immediately began designing homes rather than simply constructing them. My work was noticed by customers. After one commission, there were ten. In the end, I decided to launch my own company.
Emma developed into a gorgeous young girl who was clever, inquisitive, and beautiful; she was the exact reflection of her mother. I was able to identify Lena whenever she smiled. But it no longer stung as much as it did in the past.
Time has passed. The precise number of years is five.
Subsequently, an invitation appeared out of nowhere and was received.
During that fateful party, my longtime friend Alex, who was also the person who dragged me there, was getting married. I was relieved to hear from him after we had become estranged from one another when he entered the military.
“What are your thoughts, it’s Em?” One evening, as she was coloring at the table, I inquired about it. “Would you like to attend a wedding?”
“Is there going to be cake?” she inquired, her tone quite serious.
“There is no doubt that there will be cake.”
“And then we ought to leave.”
The ceremony was held at a resort by the water, with white orchids, gentle music, and the fresh air of the ocean. As soon as we arrived, Alex gave me a tightly hug.
“There you are, man,” he said with a grin. Isn’t that a big-shot architect right now? It is clear that this is Emma.
With a hesitant smile, Emma grabbed my hand and smiled sheepishly.
As soon as the music started, we went to the beach and took our seats. While the throng turned to watch the bride walk down the aisle, Emma entertained herself by playing with the flower that she had placed into her hair.
Her face was concealed by a thin veil that stood in the way.
When Alex lowered the veil just as she arrived at the altar, my entire world came crashing down.
No, that was Lena.
I was there when she shifted her attention to the guests. She lost her smile, and her eyes widened in surprise.
A halt occurred in her.
After that, she escaped.
To my surprise, I stood up. My chest became more taut.
Do you know why you are crying, Daddy? In a low voice, Emma said.
I was unable to respond. Before I could even think, my legs began to move.
My words to her were, “Stay with Aunt Laura,” and I pointed her in the direction of Alex’s sister.
I followed Lena as she made her way down a corridor within the venue. A white dress was crumpled in her hands as she stood near a side exit, trembling throughout the process.
In a low voice, I murmured, “You’re supposed to be dead.”
There were tears in her eyes as she stared at me. “I should have known that they had told you that.”
A sour laugh came out of my mouth. “I pleaded with them to come and allow me visit your tomb. Five years ago, Lena, I was in mourning over you.
“I had to vanish from the scene. Every detail was planned out by my father.
In a state of amazement, I glanced at her. Is it true that you pretended to be dead in order to avoid me?
“There was nothing else I could have done. I was under the impression that Emma would be easier off without me.
It was then that I snapped, “Don’t you dare say her name.” You simply left her behind. affixed her signature as if she were nothing at all. Is it true that you are going to marry my closest friend?
After then, Alex showed up, looking pale and puzzled. What exactly is going on?
I decided to face him. “You are mistaken about who she is,” she said. Exactly five years ago, Lena abandoned both our kid and me. After that, her relatives informed me that she had passed away. She led me to assume that she had passed away.
In a state of shock, Alex glanced at her. “I want you to clarify that for me.”
Neither of them denied it.
A hushed voice uttered, “Oh my God.”
He went away after turning around. We decided not to hold the ceremony. It seemed as though her parents took her away without making any noise.
I was unable to cease them.
After two weeks had passed, Alex and I convened for a drink.
He shook his head and added, “She deceived each and every one of us.” “We first connected at a gala. She informed me that she had spent several years living in a foreign country. Neither a husband nor a child was ever mentioned.
My words were, “I’m sorry.” “That is not something you deserved.”
His eyes were tired when he stared at me. You, too, did not do it. Are you feeling okay?
When I said, “Yeah,” I genuinely meant it for the first time in years. I had been saying it for years. It seems like I am.”
Due to the fact that I finally realized that it was not about me. It was never meant to be.
I wasn’t in any danger.
There was Emma. My life was one that I had constructed from the ground up. And while I stood there with a sip of ice water and a more composed heart, I came to the realization:
I had not had a sense of freedom in the past five years.
