A Fake Fairy Tale

BE / Short Story / Seven-Year Itch / First Person

February 14, 2022, Valentine's Day.

When the cooling-off period ended, Deng Yi and I went to the Civil Affairs Bureau and finalized our divorce.

We stood outside, shook hands, made peace, and wished each other all the best.

After a few turns in the car, I went back to my alma mater.

The words "Deng Yi likes Yang Zhuonian" carved into the desk had long since disappeared.

Like the seal on our divorce certificate, they had ultimately become the ending of a fairy tale.

Fairy tales for adults have always been lies we tell ourselves and each other.

We didn't separate because we didn't love each other, but because we no longer did.

Theme: Loving yourself is the best choice.