Chapter 5
Sophia didn't bother with Scarlett’s arrogance. She was getting ready to leave, unwilling to waste her energy on people who didn't matter.
On the day Sophia was discharged from the hospital, Joshua's parents found an excuse not to be there. As she passed room 506, however, she heard laughter from Joshua and his parents. Scarlett was being discharged the same day.
Sophia returned to her apartment with just three days left before she left town. She glanced at the calendar reminder; originally, that day was supposed to be her wedding anniversary with Joshua. She had planned to visit the cemetery. But now it marked the start of a new chapter in her life.
Sophia changed the calendar note from "Anniversary" to "New Beginning." Just as she finished, a message from Scarlett arrived—a wedding invitation. Because of Scarlett's hospital stay, the wedding with Joshua had been postponed, now rescheduled for the same day as Sophia and Joshua’s anniversary.
Initially, Joshua had opposed the idea. "No, this is the day Sophia and I got married, Scarlett. Please pick another day."
"But Joshua, I've consulted someone, and this is the best day," Scarlett said, her eyes shimmering with tears. "Joshua, my days are numbered, and since we're only having a ceremony, legally, Sophia will still be your wife."
"I'm just fulfilling my own regrets. Besides, Sophia won't find out."
"I know you plan to go back for your anniversary. Our wedding’s at noon; by evening, you can be with her, and I won’t object."
"After the wedding, in my remaining days, I'll only see you as a brother."
"I'll go to Sophia and sincerely wish both of you well, as my final blessing."
Scarlett was crying, unaware. Joshua gently wiped her tears away.
He had long planned to 'come back to life' on their anniversary to tell Sophia that he hadn’t died—it was all a misunderstanding. He even bought a gift for the day: a necklace Sophia had admired in a shop before his ‘accident.’
He believed his return would ease the pain from losing their child. After all, they were still young and could have children again.
"Joshua, promise me, okay?"
His mind returned to the present. Scarlett was right; Sophia wouldn’t know any of this, and as long as he treated it as his and Sophia’s anniversary, it would be fine.
"Okay, I’ll agree to the wedding that day."
"But after the wedding, I’m going back to Sophia."
"I know, and just that is enough for me," Scarlett said, satisfied.
[Sophia, would you come to the wedding on your anniversary with Joshua?]
The mocking words seemed to taunt her. Sophia never thought she would cry again. But when tears fell onto her phone screen, she reached up to touch the wet corners of her eyes.
How could Joshua humiliate her like this? That was their anniversary. The day they got married, Joshua cried. He hugged Sophia, saying he would remember every moment of that day for the rest of his life.
It was the happiest day of his life, and he planned to celebrate it every year. But now, he chose to marry someone else on that very day.
All his vows felt like a cruel joke. Every action now was a scar on her heart. He wasn't thinking about their child. Two weeks after losing the child, he planned to marry Scarlett on their anniversary.
What a whirlwind of a day. It would be their anniversary, her departure, and now Joshua and Scarlett's wedding day. Since it was going to be so eventful, Sophia decided to make it even more memorable.
Joshua had given her a ‘death,’ so she would return the favor.