A Decade of Silent Love

My name is Rachel Stafford, and I'm twenty-eight. Right now, I'm sitting behind the counter at the Civil Affairs Bureau, my fingers clutching a red stamp. Standing across from me were Calvin Stafford and Mia Thompson; they were here to get their marriage certificate. Calvin Stafford is my foster brother. We had lived together for over ten years. Since I was eighteen, I'd secretly been in love with him. But I never dared to say a word. Mia wore a white dress, her face glowing with happiness as she clung tightly to Calvin's arm. Calvin's expression was calm, showing little emotion—only when he looked at Mia did his eyes soften a bit. My gaze shifted between the two of them before I looked down and picked up the marriage certificate. On the red booklet was a photo of them together, both beaming brightly in the picture. I took a deep breath, dipped the stamp into the ink pad, and gently pressed it onto the marriage certificate. The soft pop sound felt like a blow to my heart. After stamping it, I pushed the marriage certificate toward them, forcing a gentle smile. "Congratulations to both of you. Happy newlyweds." Mia Thompson smiled warmly and said, "Thank you," reaching out to take the marriage certificate. Calvin looked at me, his eyes completely cold, even tinged with a hint of disdain. He suddenly spoke, his voice low but clear enough for me to hear: "Rachel, you need to understand that whoever I marry is better than marrying you." His words were like an icy blade, stabbing straight through my heart. The smile on my face froze for a moment, my fingertips trembling slightly. But I quickly pulled myself together and stayed calm. "I know. I wish you happiness." They didn't say another word and turned to leave the Civil Affairs Bureau. Watching them walk away side by side, tears finally welled up in my eyes. I fought to hold back the tears and stayed by the window, processing paperwork for the next couple. It wasn't until the end-of-day bell rang that I packed up and left the Civil Affairs Bureau. Outside, the sky had already darkened, and the street lamps lit up one by one along the road. I didn't go home; instead, I took a taxi to the cemetery. Calvin Stafford's parents—my foster parents—are buried here. With a bouquet of white chrysanthemums in my hands, I slowly walked up to their tombstone. In the photo on the tombstone, they were smiling so gently. I knelt down, placed the white chrysanthemum in front of the tombstone, and whispered, "Dad, Mom, Calvin is getting married—the bride is Mia Thompson." After saying that, the tears finally started to fall. "I know you've always wanted him to be happy. Now that he's found someone he loves, I hope you can find some peace." "After the wedding, I'm going abroad to chase my own dreams." "All these years, I've lived revolving around him. Now it's time to live for myself." I sat by the tombstone for a long time, only getting up to leave the cemetery as the night grew darker.