Running From the Altar, A Second Chance

I woke up, and someone patted my shoulder.

I saw the doors open, and Jennifer, my deceased wife of ten years, stood on the stage in her wedding dress, bathed in the light like an angel.

The audience gasped, everyone praising the bride's beauty.

But I was drenched in a cold sweat.

Someone prompted me to walk towards the bride, a part of the ceremony I had insisted on.

But now, looking at Jennifer, she smiled.

I turned and ran.

"The wedding is off. I can't marry her."

...

Chaos erupted.

The hotel was huge, and I couldn't find the exit.

Jennifer's family and friends chased after me.

My future father-in-law frowned.

"Mark, the wedding has started. Stop messing around, go back and finish the ceremony."

I shook my head.

I had been reborn, right at my wedding to Jennifer.

Given this second chance, I couldn't marry her again.

A relative pleaded, "Whatever it is, talk after the wedding. Jennifer is waiting for you."

Jennifer was waiting for me?

I saw a white figure chasing after me.

Like an arrow of doom.

I pushed open a window and jumped from the third floor, landing on an awning.

I felt a sharp pain.

But it was nothing compared to the pain of being deceived by Jennifer for over twenty years.

I limped away.

People looked out from the hotel windows in shock.

"Mark, are you crazy? You actually ran away from your wedding!"

Jennifer was among them, anxious and uneasy.

"Mark, what are you doing What about our wedding?"

The old me would never have done this.

But now, "Jennifer, marrying you was the biggest mistake of my life. I'm correcting it."

"Remember, I'm the one who doesn't want you."

I hailed a cab and left.

I knew Jennifer's white dress wasn't for me.

She didn't want to marry me.

Memories flooded back. I remembered rushing to the police station.

"Do you know anything about David Miller, the man who committed suicide with your wife?"

I was so lost and helpless.

I spent over twenty years not knowing the real Jennifer.

This time, I wouldn't repeat the same mistake.

I stayed in the hospital, using my injuries as an excuse.

My phone kept ringing.

The texts were proof.

Mark, how could you do this to Jennifer! She fainted from crying. Apologize to her!

I scoffed.

Jennifer wouldn't be sad about me running away. She wanted me gone.

This time, she and David could be together, thanks to me.

They should be thanking me.

The door opened.

My parents' angry faces appeared.

"Mark, you've gone too far! Running from your wedding, jumping out a window, who are you trying to hurt?!"

They had found me quickly.

I hid under the covers.

"Stop yelling, I'm hospitalized."

I showed my bandaged arm.

They snorted.

"You did this to yourself. Jennifer's hospitalized too, because of you. You're responsible."

That's why they came so quickly.

Jennifer was a good actress. No one suspected she didn't want to get married either.

My parents ordered, "When you're discharged, remarry Jennifer immediately."

"No."

My firmness confused them.

I had pursued Jennifer relentlessly.

I fell in love with her in high school and chased her for five years.

When her family's business faced a crisis, they proposed a marriage alliance.

I was ecstatic and worked hard to convince my parents.

Now, I was a different person.

They couldn't accept it.

"Why?"

A female voice asked.

My parents moved aside.

It was Jennifer, in a hospital gown.

She looked frail, like a leaf in the wind. I felt a pang of guilt.

She stared at me.

"Why don't you want to marry me?"

I frowned.

"Because I don't love you anymore."

Jennifer collapsed, fainting.

My parents glared at me and followed the nurses.

I thought about going too, but stopped.

When did Jennifer become so weak?

Was she acting?

My parents were angry and didn't visit me.

A friend came, giving me a thumbs-up.

"You're awesome, dumping Jennifer like that. You liked her so much, chased her for so long, why give up now?"

I waved my hand.

"Too easy, not interested anymore."

"Then let me chase you."

I looked up. Jennifer stood at the door, smiling.

"I don't want to see you."

I dismissed her.

She walked in with a thermos, unfazed.

"I made you bone soup. Have some while it's hot."

My friend escaped.

I was left alone with Jennifer.

I glared.

Jennifer held the bowl, coaxing me like a child.

"Smell it, it's so good."

The familiar aroma filled my nose.

For over twenty years, Jennifer and I were the perfect couple.

Even I believed it.

She was thoughtful, but often missed holidays and anniversaries due to work.

She always apologized and bought me gifts, things I liked or mentioned casually.

Jennifer, a pampered princess, learned to cook.

She made meals when she was home. She said she worried about my stomach, so she learned to make all kinds of soups.

I especially loved this bone soup.

I thought it meant she cared. But later, I learned the truth.

The soup wasn't appealing anymore.

I turned away.

"I don't want it. I don't want to see you. Leave."

Jennifer bit her lip, trembling.

She forced a smile.

"You have no appetite now. I'll leave it here. Have it when you're hungry."

I hid under the covers.

Jennifer stayed, rustling around.

I peeked out when the door closed.

She had cleaned the room and placed flowers where I could see them.

I scoffed.

"Such a good actress."

For days, Jennifer visited morning, noon, and night, bringing food.

I never ate it.

I ignored her.

She arranged the room, making it feel like home, resembling our old apartment.

It made me uncomfortable.

I checked myself out as soon as she left.

Going home!

But I was too optimistic.

Jennifer arrived at my house shortly after I did.

She massaged my parents' backs.

"Mr. and Mrs. Smith, if your shoulders ever feel stiff, I'll come massage them."

My parents looked at me.

"Mark just got out of the hospital, massage him first."

Jennifer looked at me expectantly.

It was clear. My parents had sold me out.

I understood their sudden approval of Jennifer. Before I knew her true face, I was also blinded by her gentle and caring facade.

But what was Jennifer after?

Then I remembered. Her family needed the investment. She was afraid we wouldn't help.

She was overthinking. In my past life, her family's business thrived after the crisis.

It was a profitable investment.

Realizing this, my gaze softened.

My parents pushed Jennifer towards me.

She stumbled and fell into my arms.

I caught her, surprised by how thin she was, like a skeleton.

I frowned.

She looked up, blushing, eyes filled with joy.

I pushed her away, annoyed.

She steadied herself, still smiling.

Even my parents gave me knowing looks.

As if my resistance was just an act.

I couldn't stay.

"I have something to do, won't be home tonight."

I grabbed my phone and left.

Jennifer followed.

I went to my car, she tried to get in the passenger seat.

"Stop, leave me alone."

My voice was loud.

Jennifer froze, trembling.

Her weakness irritated me.

"I know you need the investment. Don't worry. I'll invest even without the marriage. Are you satisfied? Now leave."

She didn't respond. I drove off.

At the bar, acquaintances gossiped.

"Mark, you're a legend. Dumping the campus beauty, running from your wedding."

"I told you, Mark's not a simp. He was just playing Jennifer. She's humiliated."

"Serves her right, being so arrogant, looking down on us. Now she's a joke."

Their mockery made me realize my actions had turned Jennifer into a laughingstock.

The former campus belle was now a target.

I drank in silence.

I stumbled home in the morning.

My parents sat on the sofa, frowning.

"You're becoming unbearable, drinking all night. Jennifer's a good girl, and you dumped her. You were the one who wanted to marry her."

"Give us a reason."

I sobered up.

Yes, I had forced it.

A lifetime of pain taught me that you can't force love.

I remembered the day I heard about Jennifer's death.

Our 25th anniversary. The day before, I had been unusually forceful.

I wanted her to celebrate with me. It was also the 30th anniversary of when I first fell for her.

"If you don't come back, we'll divorce."

That's what I said.

It must have been laughable to Jennifer.

That night, I waited at the restaurant, but received news of her death.

I rushed to the police station.

"You're Jennifer's husband?"

The officer looked at me with pity.

Jennifer had committed suicide with a man named David Miller. A suspected lovers' suicide.

"Do you know anything about David Miller?"

The name was unfamiliar.

I shook my head.

I learned about David at Jennifer's funeral.

Her best friend cried over her body.

"If I'd known you loved David, I would have stopped you from marrying Mark."

David was Jennifer's college senior.

They had been together all along. Jennifer spent all the holidays and anniversaries she missed with him.

Alone at her grave, I murmured, "Jennifer, do you regret marrying me?"

The tombstone didn't answer, but I knew.

"I regret marrying you too. If I had another chance, I wouldn't have gotten involved with you."

My eyes cleared. I looked at my parents.

"I can't marry her. I can't explain why. But I'll help her family."

My mom sighed.

"You'll regret this. Fine, we won't interfere. Do what you want."

I slept soundly. When I woke up, I texted Jennifer, asking to meet at the office.

Jennifer arrived quickly, dressed up.

Her hair was styled in waves, and she wore a white dress, like she was going on a date.

"Mark, you haven't asked me out in ages."

She blushed, like a schoolgirl.

I threw a contract on the table.

"I know your family needs six million. Sign this, and you'll get it. But after this, never contact me again."

Jennifer didn't respond.

I urged her, "Hurry up. I'm giving you what you want, don't be greedy."

Jennifer looked up, tears in her eyes. She threw the contract back at me, grabbed my shirt, and forced me to look at her.

"Mark, I don't want the investment. I want you. Isn't it obvious?"

Tears streamed down her face. She pounded my chest, but it didn't hurt.

"We were married for over twenty years. Now you're reborn, and you're treating your wife like this. You weren't like this before"