At Last, Winter’s End; Snow Covers the Love Letter

On the day we were supposed to register our marriage, I waited three hours for Pei Yubai at the civil affairs bureau. The service window closed, and he still hadn’t shown up. Then I saw my best friend’s post announcing her marriage, with the caption: [Thank you for giving me a home when I was at my most helpless.] The photo hadn’t been cropped properly. Half of a marriage registration statement was visible beneath the red certificate. The groom’s signature was Pei Yubai’s. I called him. When he picked up, his voice sounded tired. “Ji Chao, let’s put off registering our marriage today.” I asked, “Because you’ve already registered yours with her?” There was a long silence on the other end. “Chuyue’s mother is near death. Before she goes, all she wants is to see her daughter settled.” “Her brother died saving me. I can’t abandon her now.” I clutched my pregnancy test results, frozen to the bone. “So you gave our wedding to her?” He lowered his voice. “Just bear with it for three months. I’ll divorce her after that. You’re the one I’ve always loved.” “You’re a doctor. You should know that we can’t upset her at a time like this.” So the marriage I had waited seven years for was something he could give away to someone else for three months. A sudden pain seized my lower abdomen. I grabbed the railing and crouched down. Over the phone, he went on, “I have to take Chuyue to the hospital to see her mother tonight. Go home first. I’ll explain everything once I’m done.” I hung up. At that moment, I suddenly realized I didn’t want to wait anymore.