Chapter 2:
1072 Words
Coco curled up in an empty room’s corner. The image of her boyfriend with another woman was like a sharp knife piercing her heart.
“Coco, you can’t cry, there’s nothing worth crying about!” Coco said as she hurriedly wiped away the tears streaming down her cheeks.
She and her boyfriend had known each other for over five years, weathering countless storms together. Their families had already met, and if nothing changed, they would have marry in the latter half of the year. Yet, the man who had betrayed and humiliated her had committed such a disgraceful act behind her back, and worse, with her own sister. The bitterness and pain were unbearable! Coco’s trust shattered into pieces like broken glass.
Coco slipped her icy hands into her coat pockets, realizing the business card Luna Rebveca had given her was still there. Rebveca’s words echoed once more in her mind.
Leaning against the wall, Coco sat still like a statue. However, her eyes gradually changed, as if she was plotting something.
“If this is fate, then I accept it!”
With that, Coco stood up, changed into a new outfit, applied flawless makeup, and called the number on the business card.
“Luna Rebveca, can I meet you?”
At a café in the city center:
“Have you thought it through?” Luna Rebveca looked at Coco with skeptical eyes.
“Don’t worry, this is not a rash decision!”
Coco’s heart ached again. Only she knew the reason for her change. The one she trusted most had betrayed her, and she couldn’t marry a deceitful man. She needed to show him and her vile sister that they had messed with the wrong person!
Though Rebveca was doubtful, she quickly nodded in agreement, a gentle smile forming on her face.
“I don’t know why you changed your mind, but I am very pleased. Thank you for agreeing to marry Ricard!”
Coco said nothing in response.
Luna Rebveca smiled, a warm yet mysterious smile.
“You’ve made me very proud, Coco. We’ll arrange everything right away. Both the artificial insemination and the wedding are scheduled for the same day. It will be a grand occasion.”
“Thank you.”
Everything thereafter happened like a whirlwind. The wedding day was approaching. Coco called her ex-boyfriend to break up.
“What’s going on, my love? Have you been busy these past few days? I’ve been messaging and calling but have gotten no response!” Coco’s ex-boyfriend, unaware she knew everything, continued playing the caring role.
“We’re breaking up! This call is to inform you I’m getting married soon, and of course, you’re not the groom.” Coco went straight to the point.
Her announcement struck the scoundrel like a lightning bolt. He couldn’t believe his ears.
“Are you joking, my love? Why would we break up? Aren’t we doing great? Are you messing with me?”
“I’ve never been this serious and clear-headed before. As for our engagement, I’ll handle it with my parents.”
“What on earth is going on? Explain it to me!” the man roared into the phone.
“Steven, it’s over between us.”
With that, Coco hung up. She no longer desired the voice of that despicable man. Just hearing it made her sick. Five years of their relationship, just gone! Coco lamented for her wasted youth.
As dusk fell, Coco didn’t return to her apartment but went to her parents’ house. Her mind was a chaotic mess. She couldn’t keep such an important matter from the people who raised her. She was about to marry a stranger. But how could she tell them?
“You’re back? Steven called us yesterday, saying he hadn’t been able to reach you. Are you busy, or did you two have a fight?” Her stepmother’s voice greeted her as she stepped inside, calling out from the kitchen.
“Your father thinks Steven is a good man. Whatever it is, you two should talk it out. You’re getting married by the end of the year, anyway; you’ll soon be family!” Her father beamed at her, thoroughly pleased with his future son-in-law. Entrusting Coco to Steven gave him peace of mind.
Seeing the gray in her father’s hair filled Coco with sorrow. She didn’t know how they would accept this!
“Mom, Dad, I’m getting married this month!” Coco mustered the courage to speak.
“What? Why so rushed? Didn’t we agree to have it at the end of the year?” Her words startled her father.
“Don’t tell me you’re pregnant, Coco!” Mrs. Smith feigned concern, her eyes filled with disdain.
“No, I’m not pregnant, and the man I’m marrying isn’t Steven.”
“What!” Mr. and Mrs. Smith were stunned.
“I have my reasons for everything I do. I’m marrying a man named Ricard. The day we marry is also the day I undergo artificial insemination with him.” Coco closed her eyes tightly, unable to face her father as she spoke.
“What? Say that again. Who is Ricard? And artificial insemination? What’s going on?” Her father’s face turned crimson with rage. He wanted to slap her.
“I’m sorry, but I have my reasons!”
“Then tell me what those reasons are! Who is Ricard?”
“I haven’t met him yet!” Coco looked down at the ground.
“Are you crazy? You’re leaving a good man like Steven for someone you’ve never met?” Her father bellowed in fury.
Coco could only respond with silence. She knew she couldn’t explain everything, couldn’t convince them that this was what she needed to escape her current pain. She needed a new beginning, no matter how insane it seemed.
“I’m sorry.” Coco said, then ran to her room and locked the door.
The moment she left Steven and marry Ricard, her heart felt like it had stopped.
That night, Coco locked herself in her room. She didn’t eat dinner or step out. She turned on her phone but didn’t look at it, letting it run through news after news. Her vacant eyes stared at the door she had locked herself. Sometimes, she wasn’t sure if her decision was right or wrong. Marrying a stranger for a new future, a fresh start, or was she trapping herself? Coco didn’t know anymore.
- Writer
