The Don’s Eternal Loss Chapter 10
Late December, a wedding invitation landed in my lap.
The bride was Elena’s cousin, someone both Michael and I knew.
Elena asked if I was going, and I said, “Obviously, we’ve all
been friends for years.”
She followed up with, “What if Michael shows up too?”
“So what if he does?”
Elena gave me a look and dropped the subject.
True to form, Michael showed up.
He looked even thinner than when I spotted him outside my building.
Catching sight of me, his lips twitched like he wanted to say
my name, but he swallowed it back down.
I broke eye contact, found my seat, and sat down.
The ceremony was warm.
As the bride walked in holding her father’s arm, the venue
lights dimmed until a single spotlight tracked her movement.
Her gown had a massive train dragging a wave of white across
the floor like a slow–moving cloud.
The groom waited at the altar, eyes rimmed with red, looking practically paralyzed with nerves.
Exchanging rings, the groom’s hands shook so badly it took
two tries to slide the ring on, drawing a mix of laughter and applause from the crowd.
Watching the two of them exchange rings up front, a
memory flashed back of standing across from Michael just
like that ages ago.
The lighting had that same warm yellow glow, the seats
packed with a full crowd just like this.
He said, “Vivian, you’re the one for life.”
I laughed and told him he better keep his word.
The crowd responded with that exact same laughter and applause.
I actually believed it back then.
Believed every single word he uttered.
Believed that fifty–dollar silver ring locked down a whole
lifetime, not just a finger.
Except the rings were never upgraded, while the person
wearing them was.
Raising my glass for a sip of red wine, Michael’s voice drifted
in from behind: “Vivian.”
Up close, I finally noticed the deep shadows bruised under his. eyes.
His lips were chapped and peeling, bearing a striking
resemblance to the reflection I saw in the mirror right before walking out on him.
The tables turn.
Turns out that saying is true.
“Long time no see.”
“You… doing well?”
Never better.”
Michael watched me in silence, looking like he had a million
things to say but lacked the guts.
“Want to ask if you still have a chance?”
He froze.
“You don’t.”
Michael’s grip tightened around his glass, but zero words
came out.
I knew the “I’m sorrys” backed up inside his head could form
a line wrapping around the hotel twice.
Even after standing there for a long time, he didn’t dare open
his mouth again.
Laughter and cheers drifted out from the banquet hall behind us.
Must have been time for the bouquet toss.
I heard the bride shouting out the countdown, followed by squeals from the girls.
The last time I caught a wedding bouquet, Michael stood right beside me and whispered that we’d be next.
That bouquet withered in my vase within a week, petals scattering across the table, yet I couldn’t bring myself to toss it out.
Until Michael scoffed that it was just a bunch of flowers and asked why I was making such a big deal out of it.
The things that meant everything to my memory were never worth a second thought to him.
I stood out on the terrace catching the breeze until the bride. called me over for photos.
Walking over to stand by her side, I smiled straight into the camera lens.