Love Behind the Veiled Terror

"Let's get a divorce." This was the first sentence I heard this morning, coming from my husband, Leo Smith, the very husband I had just gotten married to yesterday. Hearing what he said, I laughed.

"Sure, let's go and get divorced."

I laughed calmly, even though getting married is supposed to be the most significant event in a woman's life.

If I hadn't followed Leo when he left in the middle of the night on our wedding night, perhaps I would still be sleeping blissfully under the quilt right now.

We got dressed and then went to the City Hall. After getting our divorce certificates, we both felt an unprecedented sense of relief.

"We've been waiting for this day for a long time," Leo muttered to himself.

I nodded with a smile. "Yes, I've been waiting for this day for seven years."

We parted calmly, each boarding a bus heading in the opposite direction. In tacit agreement, neither of us looked back at the other as we slowly drove away into the distance, getting farther and farther apart.

Last night, our wedding banquet was lively, with many relatives we hadn't seen in a long time attending.

After performing the traditional wedding ceremonies, I made an excuse that I had a headache and went back to the bedroom to take a rest.

The room was dimly lit, with only a sliver of light seeping through the door crack from outside.

Sitting in the bedroom with my bridal veil on, I was drawn to that conspicuous strip of light by the door, while the sounds of toasting and lively conversations drifted in from outside. For some reason, a wave of sadness washed over me.

My eyes were unfocused, brimming with tears.

I had been with my boyfriend for seven years; we were college classmates.

He was the youngest senior physician at the hospital, talented and handsome. Over the years, he was never short of admirers, and I felt lucky to marry him.

I gently pushed the door open, leaving a small gap, and peeked outside.

The man I married was drinking with the guests. Watching his handsome face, I found myself momentarily captivated. He was gentle and treated me well. Yet, I couldn't shake off the barrier in my heart.

We had lived together for three years, but we never shared the same room. He never brought up marriage, and I never asked.