“About Vera?” He continued, his voice growing tender. “She’s just a little girl, and she doesn’t have anyone else to look after her. I take care of her, like I would my own sister…”
Mira’s words came slowly, each one measured. “You can’t just stand by when someone’s life is in danger. But I trust you.”
Elias breathed a sigh of relief, a small smile tugging at his lips. He hugged her even tighter.
Days passed with Mira often alone, as Elias remained caught up in his work. A gas explosion had occurred in an old residential building in the south of the city, and the fire brigade was conducting urgent safety inspections in all nearby buildings. Despite his hectic schedule, Elias video-called her every day.
It was a busy evening, and traffic was at a standstill during the rush hour. Mira had just finished work when she saw a new message from Elias: “I finally get a half-day off tomorrow.”
She decided to take a taxi to the mall to buy a large suitcase. However, as she stepped into the store, she froze.
There, in the mirror, stood Vera in a pure white wedding dress, shyly admiring herself. The shopping guide was tying up her long hair, and as she glanced at the man sitting on the sofa nearby.
Even though the man had his back to Mira, she recognized him instantly. It was unmistakable.
Vera, after hearing something Elias said, turned around. Her face lit up with a sweet smile as she fell into his arms, looking every bit the happy bride about to marry the man.
The scene felt all too familiar. Mira, too, had felt that same joy and excitement when she had married Elias. She remembered how he cried when he saw her in her wedding dress for the first time.
After knowing each other for ten years and dating for three, he had once told her she was his everything. But then, somewhere along the way, he had been drawn to the innocence of fresh little white flowers like Vera.
"Big sister, why are you crying?"
A little girl, her pigtails bouncing, handed Mira a piece of tissue.
Mira realized her face was wet with tears and sniffed, forcing a smile. “Thank you.” She quickly wiped her face, turned, and left the store, feeling as though she were running from the reality of it all.
Back home, she received the documents from the lawyer. [Ms. Granger, this divorce agreement will take legal effect once both of you sign it.]