my younger fake husband

Five Years Earlier The hall was filled with music and soft laughter. I stood in front of the mirror, looking at myself in a white wedding dress. It was beautiful—truly beautiful. I had chosen every detail myself. The sleeves were made of delicate lace, the waist was embroidered with golden threads, and the long train stretched behind me as if it were part of an old dream. The dream of a little girl who believed that love meant finding one person and spending the rest of your life with them. I used to believe that love made life better. That even during the worst times, love could save you from the pain and sadness of life. My closest—and only—friend, Sarah, walked in with a smile on her face. "Look at the most beautiful bride in the world!" I smiled shyly at her. "Does the dress really look good? I'm a little nervous. You know, no one liked it except you and me." She walked over and stood in front of me, speaking playfully. "Stop worrying, sweetheart. Everything is fine. You're the most beautiful bride in the world. Don't be nervous." She was right. I shouldn't have been so worried. But anxiety has a way of stealing your عقل—your ability to think logically. Still... I felt something strange. Something I couldn't explain. I looked at my phone. There were no messages from him. "Should I call him?" Sarah asked. I shook my head, feeling my anxiety grow. "No." Her expression changed. "Maybe he's busy." "He's the groom. How can he be busy? There are only ten minutes left before the ceremony." I said it as if I were about to cry from nervousness. And then... My phone rang. I looked at the screen. It wasn't him. It was an unknown number. I answered. "Hello?" No one replied. "Hello?" Then the call ended. I stared at my phone. A small feeling of unease tightened in my chest. "Who was that?" Sarah asked. "No one." I placed the phone aside. Ten minutes later, I was standing in front of hundreds of people. The hall was beautiful. White and red flowers. Candles. Soft music. Everything was perfect. Except for one thing. The groom wasn't there. Time passed far too quickly. He still didn't appear. Had something happened to him? People began whispering. I saw his mother talking to one of the relatives. I saw the way people looked at me. Those looks were killing me. They were definitely talking about me. Sarah came closer to me several times, but she didn't know what to say. And me... I just stood there in my white dress. Waiting. I kept telling myself: He'll come. He has to come. Maybe something happened. Maybe... Then I received a notification. One message. From him. I opened it. I read the words. Then I read them again. And again. A third time. I didn't understand. Or perhaps... I did understand. But my mind refused to believe it. > I'm sorry, Laila. I can't do this. That was all. Nine years. Nine whole years. And this was how it ended... I slowly raised my head. Everyone was looking at me. For the first time, I couldn't smile. The hall suddenly felt smaller. The air felt heavier. "Laila?" Sarah asked. I looked at her. "He left me." "What?" I laughed. A short laugh escaped my mouth without my permission. "He left me." Sarah quickly stepped closer. "Laila, that's impossible. Ryan loves you. Maybe something happened. Maybe someone else is playing a joke on you?" I looked at her as tears began gathering in my eyes. "Why didn't he leave me before today?" My voice shook. "He had nine years to decide to leave me." If he didn't love me, why hadn't he told me before? I wasn't the one forcing him to marry me. I watched his mother quietly leave the hall. Then all his relatives followed her. One after another. They all left. The rest of the guests continued looking at me with pity... And some with amusement. Then, suddenly, I made a decision. Even now, I don't know where I found the strength. I lifted my head and put that stupid smile back on my face. Then I took off my engagement ring and placed it on the table. "Well, I'm sorry for making you all wait so long. It seems my groom forgot the way to the hall, so I'll go find him." I looked at Sarah. "Let's go." "Where?" "Anywhere but this hall." "But—" "Sarah..." My voice broke. "I feel like I'm dying. Please... I don't want to stay here. I can't breathe." After that day, I felt as if I had lost my heart. Every night felt like an entire year. I would place my hand over my chest, trying to make sure my heart was still there. Because honestly... I couldn't feel it. I tried to cry. But I couldn't. It seemed I had lost my ability to cry too. For an entire year. --- Present Day I wandered through the streets of the city, looking for work. I had been fired from my previous job. I had truly loved working in that workshop, but my boss was a terrible man. He shouted too much and had absolutely no patience. I stopped in the middle of the street and watched people passing around me. Everyone was busy living their lives. Some were happy. Some were sad. Life was truly cruel to all of us. Ryan—my former husband—hadn't even bothered to explain himself, not even after that day. And after spending an entire year drowning in depression, I still hadn't managed to open my own clothing brand. My phone rang. A message. I took it out and looked at the screen. It was from my mother. My mother, who hadn't attended my disastrous wedding. She had pretended to be sick. And during the year when I was falling apart, she hadn't been there for me either. The message said: > Your sister got another scholarship. We're proud of her. We want to throw her a party, so bring a cake with you. Then another message arrived. > Wear something decent. Your sister's friends will be there. Don't embarrass her. I closed my phone and smiled. "Wonderful," I muttered to myself. "Another wonderful day in my life." Then my younger sister called me. Despite my mother's ridiculous behavior, my sister wasn't a bad person. I was proud of her too. "Yes? How are you?" I asked. She screamed excitedly. "Laila, my love! You'll never guess what happened!" I replied calmly. "What happened?" "I got accepted for the scholarship I told you about! I love you so much!" I laughed happily. "Good. You should make sure everyone knows your big sister knows many useful things." She answered in her childish way. "But, sis, don't tell Mom that you're the one who helped me. I want her to be proud of me." I replied quietly. "Okay. I'll send the cake to the house with delivery." She sounded annoyed. "You're not coming?!" I noticed another person calling me. "I'm sorry, love. I'm busy. I love you. Enjoy yourself." Then I ended the call and answered the second one. It was Sarah. She shouted excitedly. "Where are you?" "On the street." "What are you doing?" "Breathing." "Are you alive?" "Unfortunately." She laughed. "Come to the café. I'm waiting for you here." "I don't have money to go out with you." "I'll pay, you cheapskate. Just come." I sighed. "I'm coming. Stop shouting." --- Twenty minutes later, I was sitting across from Sarah. She placed a cup of coffee in front of me. I looked at it. "This coffee costs more than my salary." "Drink." "I'll drink it and then sell the cup." Sarah laughed. Then she looked at me. "Did you find a new job?" "No. I'm tired of walking around every day without getting any results." "Laila." I answered without looking at her. "What?" "You're a talented designer." "Talent doesn't pay the rent." "You could start your own business." "With what money?" She fell silent for a moment, thinking. But I spoke before she could say anything. "It's okay. I'll find a way. Don't worry about me." "If I don't worry about my best friend, then who am I supposed to worry about?" I smiled. I knew Sarah's heart was always with me. She was always worried about me. Then she suddenly asked, "So... any love stories after five years of isolation?" I placed my coffee cup on the table. "After nine years of love, I think I've used up all the love I was ever allowed to have. And these five years of isolation have taught me that love is a stupid thing anyway." Sarah sighed in annoyance. "You're only thirty." "Exactly. That's why my brain understands things better now." Then I heard a voice behind me. "Thirty?" I turned around. There was a man standing behind me. A young man. He looked like he was in his early twenties. He had black hair, styled in a way that suited his face perfectly. He was very handsome. Unfortunately... His smile was incredibly annoying. I looked at him. "Were you eavesdropping on our conversation?" He sat in the chair next to us without being invited. "I wasn't eavesdropping. I was listening to your fascinating conversation." I glared at him. "Is there even a difference?" "Of course there's a difference." "What is it?" "I don't remember. I'll tell you when I remember. Promise." I stared at him for a moment before turning to Sarah. "Do you know him? He's crazy." Sarah was trying desperately not to laugh. "I don't know him." He put on an annoyingly dramatic expression. "My heart, how can you be so cruel to me?" Then, suddenly, he held out his hand toward me. "Kane." I didn't shake it. He looked at his hand, then at me. "Laila, you're so cruel." I froze. "How do you know my name?" He smiled. "I heard your friend calling you." "You're really a creepy little stalker, aren't you?" "And you're aggressive, Auntie." I stood up angrily and grabbed my bag. "Sarah, I'm leaving. This place is full of idiots now." I heard his voice behind me. "Purple looks beautiful on you, Auntie." I stopped and turned around. "What?" I glared at him. "Mind your own business, child." He laughed in that irritating way of his. "I didn't say anything. You're the one who said earlier that you were old because you turned thirty." I took a deep breath and walked away. I cursed him with every step I took while Sarah ran after me, shouting. "Laila! For God's sake, wait for me!" I turned to her angrily. "What now?" Sarah finally caught up to me. She was out of breath and leaned against me. "That guy... I really didn't bring him with me. Believe me." I grabbed her hand. "I know, i***t. I know you didn't. But he annoyed me. I was this close to committing a crime in that café." Sarah laughed tiredly. "He brought out your worst personality in two seconds." I sighed. "That child is so annoying. He distracted me from looking for a job." Sarah suddenly said, "Oh! I forgot! I found you a job at a fashion show tonight." I looked at her excitedly. "Really?!" To be continued...