chapter 5
1087 Words
After sorting through all the videos, I was so exhausted I collapsed onto the bed and fell asleep.
In my sleep, I was jolted awake by the ringing of a telephone.
Groggily, I fished the ringing phone from beneath my pillow.
My future mother-in-law's barrage of questions came through the line:
"Where on earth are you?"
"Ryan Blake's drunk. Go and fetch him immediately."
"What sort of daughter-in-law are you? Your own husband's drunk and you don't even bother to look after him. Now I, his mother-in-law, have to call you."
I frowned, about to retort, when my sister-in-law's mocking voice chimed in:
"I've no idea what my brother sees in her, wanting to marry her. She's got nothing going for her—can't even look after a person properly."
"Right," I replied dismissively before hanging up.
Oh well, never mind.
Mother-in-law and sister-in-law never miss an opportunity to take a dig at me.
After all, they believe I'm in no way worthy of Ryan Blake.
In their eyes, marrying Ryan Blake was me getting the better end of the deal.
Dragging my weary body, I climbed out of bed.
Opening WeChat, I saw Ryan Blake had shared his location in the group chat. I hailed a cab to pick him up.
Upon arrival, Ryan Blake was slumped over resting nearby.
After greeting his colleagues, I helped Ryan Blake to his feet, intending to take him away.
The air thick with alcohol fumes, I held my breath and hurried away from the place.
Outside, a gentle evening breeze blew, gradually dispelling the nauseating dizziness soaked in alcohol fumes.
Ryan Blake seemed to be coming round a bit. He lifted his gaze to look at me, then frowned deeply:
"Why on earth did you come dressed like this? Couldn't you have tidied yourself up before leaving?"
I glanced down at myself. I'd been too exhausted to change out of my loungewear before leaving, and my complexion probably wasn't much to look at either.
Ryan Blake's disapproving voice continued:
"All the people I'm meeting today are colleagues from the company. How am I supposed to hold my head up with you dressed so casually?"
"I am a manager, after all. What will my subordinates think of me? I certainly don't want them assuming I'm marrying a frumpy old hag the day after tomorrow."
I tried desperately not to care, but the bitter ache in my heart was impossible to suppress.
I turned my head away, unwilling to let Ryan Blake see my tears.
Ryan Blake seemed to realise his words had gone too far. He pulled me into his arms and soothed me:
"Sorry, darling, that's not what I meant. I've had too much to drink today. Don't take it to heart."
"But you really ought to take more care. Just think, if you'd made a bit more effort with your appearance today, how proud I'd have been."
His large hand gently stroked my hair, depositing a kiss upon my forehead.
"Next time, let Ella Grace give you some tips. My wife is naturally beautiful—she'd look absolutely stunning dressed up."
Ryan Blake's voice was soothing.
Once, I loved lying in his arms, listening to him whisper sweet nothings to me.
But now, hearing his soft words of comfort, I felt only a wave of sorrow wash over me.
He had always said he loved me most when I wore no make-up.
He had said I needn't change myself to please others.
It turns out I was the only one who took it all to heart.
By the time I got home, it was already the early hours.
I helped Ryan Blake into bed.
Drunk, he slept soundly.
I stared at him for a long while.
With his eyes closed, he seemed stripped of those murky, worldly desires.
Just as I remembered him in his youth.
Alas, neither of us could return to those days.
Our custom dictates that the bride and groom must not meet the day before the wedding.
Ryan Blake and I had agreed I'd return home today.
I cannot bear to wait a moment longer.
I simply wish to depart this place.
And never come back.
I glanced around the room.
This house was prepared by Ryan Blake's parents as his wedding home.
There was never much of mine here to begin with.
Everything that truly belonged to me could fit into a single box.
I stood below my home with my luggage.
Ten minutes passed, yet I still couldn't bring myself to go up.
I didn't know how to confess all this to Mum.
Nor did I know whether Mum would support my decision.
I wonder if she'll urge me to let it go, to be more forgiving.
I closed my eyes and took a deep breath.
It'll be alright. I haven't done anything wrong.
Whatever Mum thinks, I just need to stand by what I believe is right.
……
"What? Ryan Blake's had an affair?"
After hearing what I said, Mum jumped straight up from the sofa.
"What are you planning to do now?"
After a moment's silence, she added:
"Whatever you decide, Mum will support you."
Tears welled up in my eyes and spilled over, my shattered heart slowly mending as Mum's love filled the cracks.
"It's alright, Mum. I've got everything sorted."
"Thank you, Mum."
Perhaps it was having Mum by my side that gave me such a profound sense of security.
That night I slept soundly, without a single dream.
When I awoke, it was already one o'clock in the afternoon.
Ryan Blake had called me twice. Seeing no reply, he sent a WeChat message:
"Darling, why did you leave so early?"
"You're not still upset about last night, are you?"
"You can't take drunken words seriously, darling. Rest assured, you'll always be the most beautiful in my eyes."
I replied calmly: "It's fine."
Ryan Blake replied almost instantly: "I knew my wife was the most understanding."
He added two kissy face emojis.
"Tomorrow's going to be tough, darling. You should get some proper rest tonight."
I didn't reply further.
I gathered some more items at home that I'd need for the journey.
That evening, I bid farewell to Mum and made my way to the airport alone.
Before boarding, I uploaded the prepared video file to my email.
I set them to be sent automatically during the wedding ceremony the following morning.
Having completed everything, I switched off my mobile.
I knew my new journey had truly begun.
- Writer
