forgotten vows

Tiffany returned home just as the clock struck seven in the morning. She opened the chilly door and stepped into the kitchen, feeling almost mechanical. Her thin face flickered in the reflections of the floor-to-ceiling glass door. As she warmed up the leftover soup she hadn’t had time to eat the day before, she decided to turn on her computer. Upon opening her inbox, notifications flooded in; she had over a dozen new emails. There were requests for property fee payments. Schedules for various artists from her company for the latter half of the month. And a reminder from her elder sister to visit when she could. After casually scrolling through, she realized she needed to eat something before heading to work. Then, she noticed an anonymous email. Upon opening it, a garish ghost head suddenly leaped out, screeching at an ear-piercing volume, almost as though it would burst through the screen. It was genuinely terrifying. Another threatening message, she thought, closing the tab in the corner. Ever since marrying Nathan, these emails had been a regular occurrence almost every few days for the past three years. She had grown used to them, though she couldn’t help but marvel at this mysterious sender. Who were they? Their persistence was remarkable. Yet, her own hopes for that man barely lasted as long as a month. When she first wed Nathan, she had some expectations. He was quiet with deep, intense eyes, even better looking than she had imagined. But those hopes fizzled out just an hour after they exchanged vows. After signing the marriage certificate, he sat in the car, tapping the steering wheel with those long fingers of his. His face in the rearview mirror was composed, serene. "Tiffany, you know marrying you was my way out of my family’s control. So, I owe you something. After we tie the knot, I can offer you anything you desire except love!" Her heart dropped at that moment, leaving her feeling bitterly disappointed. But all she could do was nod in response. Turning her gaze to the window, she noticed that the leaves along the roadside had started to turn yellow; it was the season of apricots, and the scent of plum rain lingered in the air. A long asphalt road stretched forward, leading into the unknown. That evening, Bellville Road was nearly empty. They discussed some compensation details, but she felt as if she was merely listening. It was exactly the first day they met. He told her to go to the Civil Affairs Bureau, and although she was confused, it was something she desired, wasn’t it? So she didn’t argue, following him to get the certificate. On that marriage certificate, she looked confused and naïve, while he appeared calm and dispassionate. After that day, she moved into their new home. But he never returned again. In fact, they hadn’t truly met since the day they signed the marriage documents. He had promised to give her what she wanted, but she never asked for anything. If she didn’t voice her needs, he wouldn’t press the issue. Thus, for three years, their marriage existed in name only; sometimes she even forgot that she was a married woman. Snapping the laptop shut, Tiffany brushed her hair back and prepared to head out for work. Just then, her phone rang unexpectedly, making her feel irritated when she saw the caller ID. It was her dear mother-in-law the esteemed matron of the Albert's family. While she didn't know much about her husband, one thing was clear: he didn’t have a great relationship with his family. His family, steeped in politics, disapproved of his venture into business, leading to a significant rift. Ever since they got married, he hadn’t returned home. Yet, somehow, her mother-in-law had gotten her number and would call occasionally to check in on her son. When she answered, her mother-in-law earnestly reminded her to make sure he eats breakfast. She mentioned seeing on TV that he had lost weight again and advised her to take him for regular health check-ups. She even arranged for someone at the affiliated hospital to ensure he goes there on Saturday. Tiffany responded patiently to each point, but after hanging up, she sighed deeply. She hadn’t slept all night, and now she felt even more exhausted.