Dear Ex-wife Marry Me

Looking at her reflection in the mirror, Shirley saw a beautifully made-up face devoid of any spark of joy. People buzzed around her, fussing with her hair and adjusting her dress. She clenched her fists so tightly her nails almost pierced her palms.

Once her makeup was done, the stylist helped her down the stairs. A long line of limousines waited outside; she was escorted to the front one. As the door opened and she stepped in, Mr. and Mrs. Davis tried to say something to her but, seeing her dismissive posture, they just sighed.

A month later, Abner and Shirley were set to get married.

The moment the limousine started, Shirley couldn't stop her tears from flowing. Alone in the car with just the driver, who wore a cap, he handed her a tissue without turning around.

The driver remained silent but glanced at Shirley through the rearview mirror as she pulled out a bottle of pills and swallowed a few without water. "It's just some anti-anxiety medication. I'm afraid I'll get too worked up later," she explained, perhaps to clear any misunderstanding. The driver simply accelerated.

"Thank you," she said hoarsely, accepting it.

Shirley's tears kept falling. She wished this road would never end, that they'd never reach that church. Closing her eyes, she tried to block out the world outside.

But she could feel the limousine speeding up, unsettling her. Looking up, she saw the driver remove his hat. It was Abner, his expression cold.

"Shirley, I'm taking you away."

For a moment, Shirley thought she was hallucinating. "Abner, stop!"

Sitting in the back, Shirley watched the scenery fly by in reverse, noticing a few cars were chasing them. They had broken away from the wedding procession, and now the Albright family was on their tail.

"No, I won't. I'm taking you away from here."

She should have urged Abner to

stop, but instead, she fell silent, turning her head away. She selfishly wished they'd never be caught, to run away with Abner and leave everything behind. Forgetting everything, they could start afresh, she supporting him if needed. They could move to another city, give him a chance to catch up with his studies. That was, of course, if the Albrights would let them be.

Leaning back, she managed a weak smile. "Didn't you listen to what I said that day?" Abner pushed the gas pedal further, his eyes rimmed with red. "I don't believe it."

Seeing his exhaustion, Shirley felt an ache in her heart. Abner had been training relentlessly over the past month, like a tireless machine. Yet, he couldn't resist coming for her today, wanting to whisk Shirley away. .

"Shirley, I can't believe you'd leave me behind." He had tried so hard, been so obedient; why would he be abandoned? Youth clings to the need for answers with stubborn persistence.

Shirley bit her lip, noticing the car's speed was dangerously high. For a fleeting moment, she thought a car crash might solve their problems keeping them together forever But then she snapped out of it. Abner was only eighteen. Her face went pale. Content (C) Nôv/elDra/ma.Org.

"Abner, stop."

But he seemed not to hear her. The cars behind them couldn't dare to speed up too much but maintained a close distance.

After three hours on the highway, with neither party daring to make a reckless move, Abner took an exit and found a back road. The sky had darkened, and it started to rain.