We Never Made It to Forever

Synopsis

On the morning Edward Bennett and I were scheduled to get our marriage license at City Hall, my younger sister, Emily Lane, posted a photo of a slit wrist in our family group chat. My mother called me in tears, begging me to hurry over to Emily's place. "If anything happens to your sister, I will never forgive you as long as I live," she warned. On my way there, a notification popped up showing a new photo added to our shared family album. In the picture, Edward was wearing a crisp white shirt, sitting side by side with Emily at City Hall. Before my mind could process what I was looking at, my mother sent a voice note. She claimed, "Don't hold this against Emily. She simply wanted to get the marriage license first. "Edward agreed that as soon as her heart surgery is finished, he will divorce her." I clutched my phone, my hands shaking uncontrollably. Edward and I had been together for eight years. Last night, he was helping me map out today what time to leave for City Hall and where to eat once we made it official. It was only now that I understood the truth. I had been the only one anticipating today. When I arrived, I found Emily's wrists spotless. There wasn't so much as a red streak. She waved the marriage license in her hand, letting out a soft laugh. "Claire, did you really believe he would marry you? "All I have to do is lift a finger, and he comes running to my side." Gazing at the official marriage document held in her fingers, I suddenly lost all desire to demand explanations. Eight years was long enough, and some people were not meant to be held onto any longer.