Their Wedding Was merely a Dream

At eighteen, Dawn Norris believed she would marry the young man she loved.

But at twenty-five, she heard him say dismissively, "Dawn? She is just a fishmonger. I can't even be bothered to touch her at night. She smells fishy."

Dawn naively thought he was just tired of their relationship.

But she completely gave up hope on him after he drew blood from Maya White, the woman who adopted Dawn and raised her, for his new girlfriend, Erin Lambert, and after he even scattered Maya's ashes.

Perhaps Blaine had changed in the summer many years ago.

At twenty-eight, Dawn found herself in the bed of Blaine's sworn enemy. She never imagined that she would spend the rest of her life with him.

...

While Dawn was cutting fish, she was absent-minded. Then she felt a sharp pain in her finger as blood seeped out.

Mindy Lawson, the woman at the next stall, said while handing her a tissue, "Dawn, be careful. You're about to marry that young man who plays the piano. Everything will be fine. You've been working hard to fund his education. You helped him overcome his autism. You went through so many hardships all these years. Now that he's successful, it's time for him to repay you. How can you leave him?"

Dawn's nose tingled. She looked at the fish in the sink and thought of Blaine's words from yesterday evening. She felt heaviness in her chest.

"Did he cheat on you?" Mindy asked cautiously.

Dawn wiped away her tears and forced a smile. "How could it be? He's not that kind of person. It's just that our future plans differ."

She never spoke ill of him.

She numbly scaled and cleaned the fish, and her heart ached with sorrow.

She remembered that Blaine was a transfer student from the city when she first met him.

He was strikingly good-looking and had exceptional talent. He instantly became the talk of the town among the girl students.

They put on their fanciest dresses, adorned their hair with bright clips, and shyly slipped love letters to Blaine.

Yet he remained as cold as ice and had never been gentle to any girl. He only looked soft when he played the piano.

Dawn seldom paid attention to others' things.

She had been kidnapped when she was a little girl and stayed with Maya. The latter treated Dawn exceptionally well.

She had gotten used to life by the sea and loved fishing barefoot at night. Then she returned to Maya's home and worked on her assignment.

But one night, Dawn didn't catch any fish but found Blaine.

His handsome features were outlined by the mist, and his chest heaved. He looked so thin.

Dawn took him home and heard him speak for the first time. Then she realized he wasn't mute.

She learned the true reason for his transfer to their town from the city.

Blaine's father was framed as a corrupt official by a powerful figure.

And his mother was a college teacher. She was framed and accused of having an affair with a student.

The photos of his mother kissing a college student spread through the city, and the news of his father's corruption was broadcast daily.

Blaine had been a musical prodigy and had had autism since then. So he transferred to the school in the small town. He was unwilling to speak to anyone but Dawn, who saved his life.

Dawn was bold in school. Blaine, the aloof and handsome boy, clung to her. It became a laughingstock to others.

Later, Dawn liked to capture each of Blaine's performances with her camera.

Initially, he was reluctant. But he quickly agreed because Dawn playfully tugged his arm.

When the college entrance exam results came out, Blaine declined the offer from a college abroad and accepted the one from a domestic music academy. She quietly shelved her dream of becoming a screenwriter, as Maya's money couldn't support two college students.

She would sell fish to support Blaine's musical aspirations.

In the practice room, Blaine called her. "Why aren't we going to college together?"

Dawn tied her hair into braids and caught a fish.

She replied, "Maya's condition is poor. I can't leave her to sell fish alone."

Blaine pressed his lips and understood clearly what she was doing.

"I'll support you and help you fulfill your dreams in ten years." He said it resolutely.

At eighteen, they huddled in a small rental, blissfully content.

Blaine promised Dawn a free future, so he immersed himself in practice every day in the piano room.

He achieved it. He became the principal pianist in the Central Orchestra within five years and reclaimed the title of "Piano Prodigy."

At twenty-five, Blaine proposed to Dawn at a romantic seaside. He was dressed in a white suit and playing "Wedding in a Dream" on the golden beach at sunset. "There are still three years left before I fulfill my promise. Will you agree to get engaged to me now?"

Dawn cried with joy. She extended her finger to exchange rings with him, saying with a smile, "I do."

They hugged and had sex in the newly bought seaside house until dawn, leaving traces of kisses on each other all over.

Blaine even tattooed her initials on his chest and repeatedly traced them with her hand. "Dawn, I'll spend the rest of my life with you and be good to you forever."

Dawn believed it.

She thought they both loved each other and would share a bright future together.

But she never knew that Blaine's forever only lasted three short years.

On Blaine's birthday, Dawn met Erin Lambert, a medical student from a distinguished medical university.

She looked strikingly beautiful and mature. As she stood beside Blaine, they looked like a perfect match.

In contrast, Dawn looked at herself in the mirror and saw a worn-out country woman.

When she returned from the restroom, Dawn overheard one of Blaine's friends teasing through the door. "Blaine, you and Erin really match perfectly. Why did you bring another woman?"

Blaine's voice was flat as he said, "Oh, her? She is a childhood friend from back home. She stays over at my place to see much of the world."

Under the playful cheers of her friends, Erin perched herself on Blaine's lap while sipping from a glass of wine.

"Kiss. Kiss."

The atmosphere was lively and happy. Blaine usually detested the noise.

But he was different from before. He didn't look cold at that time. Instead, his eyes were filled with tenderness as his Adam's apple bobbed slightly.

He did not push Erin away. In fact, he rather savored the moment.

Dawn paused with her hand on the door, and her feet felt as heavy as lead.

She never expected that she would hear Blaine talk about her as his houseguest.

The rain poured down and isolated her in its cold embrace. She couldn't know her face was covered by tears or raindrops.

Yet, the young man didn't hold an umbrella for her anymore.

Her arm ached faintly. It was a reminder of the injury she sustained weeks ago while she shielded Blaine from a falling clothes rack. But it was nothing compared to the pain in her heart.

Blaine hadn't come home for several nights. Dawn struggled to console herself.

"Every guy likes bold and sexy women. It's my own fault for not having a good figure to win his heart," she said to herself.

So when Blaine lay beside her again, she wrapped her arms around his waist and leaned in for a kiss. She was trying to please him.

Their breaths intertwined. Soon they became passionate, and Dawn thought everything would be fine.

But when Blaine buried his face against her chest, he suddenly frowned. "You have a fish smell. Did you not shower?"

The words left Dawn stunned. She couldn't deceive herself any longer.

They lay in silence and no longer had the passion they had had at eighteen.

As they neared their late twenties, with their wedding looming, they lay in their house. But they had different dreams.

Dawn clutched her pillow, wide awake until dawn.

She scrubbed herself repeatedly with body wash and yearned for a single apology from Blaine.

But he received a call from Erin and left with the soup, which she had just cooked, without sparing her a glance.

Dawn didn't receive an apology from Blaine, but Erin asked her to have a talk.

Erin was arrogant and overwhelming. "Blaine told me about you. You stood by him through tough times and became his fiancée later. But he said seeing you reminds him of his parents' suffering. Besides, you're just a seafood seller, and you can't support his future. I'm different. My family has wealth and power, and I can help him showcase his talents on a grander stage. If you're willing to leave him, I'll provide the life-saving medication your grandmother needs for free."

Erin's head was held high, and her every gesture dripped with disdain.

Dawn's hand trembled slightly. She gripped her coffee cup and stared at the ripples in it silently for a whole afternoon.

She wished she could stand up and pour the hot coffee over Erin. She wished she could confront Blaine and ask why he had broken his word.

But then she felt tired when she remembered Maya lying in pain on a hospital bed.

She remembered Blaine was increasingly cold to her and finally thought it through.

Perhaps she truly had no future with Blaine.

She took a sip of the bitter coffee and finally said, "Fine. I'll do as you said. I will leave him. But in addition to the conditions you mentioned, please help me stage a death before I go."

Erin didn't expect Dawn to do that. But as long as Dawn was willing to leave, Erin gladly accepted it.

Dawn was gently cleaning Maya's body while speaking words of farewell. "You might not be able to attend my wedding with Blaine. I don't want to marry him anymore. I'd better let go of the past obsessions."

Blaine would find another woman who could side with him on his bright future.

Maya would have enough medicine to stay alive.

Dawn had loved Blaine deeply. But she would try to rediscover herself step by step.

From then on, she wouldn't fret over Blaine having another woman.

She wouldn't wait in the living room for the door to unlock. She wouldn't reheat dinner for him every time he came home late.

She would never worry about Blaine complaining about the fish smell on her.

Maya's breathing with difficulty interrupted Dawn's thoughts.

Maya's gaunt face twisted in pain, and sweat formed on her palms.

Dawn hurriedly tried to press the emergency button, but her vision blurred due to low blood sugar. She couldn't find her way even when it was only a foot away.

She felt like a helpless animal, and her body felt weak and unresponsive.

The sound of leather shoes on the floor echoed behind her. Blaine entered carrying flowers and fruit. He came to visit Maya as usual.

He saw Maya's pained expression and Dawn curling up by the bedside. His face changed instantly.

He rushed to the bed, pressed the emergency button, and opened a drink. He hurriedly offered it to Dawn.

His actions were smooth. He had done it countless times before.

"Why haven't you had meals regularly again?" he asked.

He was a little annoyed and looked worried.

The sugary drink tasted bitterly sweet as it went down her throat. After a moment, Dawn could see clearly the scene before her eyes.

"Thank you," Dawn said politely yet distantly.

Blaine watched her stubborn demeanor and felt uneasy. "We're having our wedding in a few days. Don't be so formal with me."

She heard him mention the wedding and gave a bitter smile.

They had planned to get married on her twenty-eighth birthday, but she had booked a flight for the very day. She was ready to leave.

Seeing her distraction, Blaine frowned and asked, "Have you not had meals for days again? How can you starve yourself like this? Is something bothering you? Is your eating disorder acting up again?"

Years ago, when Maya fell ill, Dawn worked tirelessly to support Blaine's music studies. She went to fish at dawn, sold fish by day, and fished late at night. She often forgot to have meals. During the stressful times, she developed an eating disorder.

Blaine set nine alarms a day to ensure she had meals. He always had candies in his pocket for her.

Later, he even learned to cook, using his hand, which played the piano, to cook for her.

Watching Blaine busy in the kitchen, Dawn had thought they would care for each other forever.

But recently, he had started adding ingredients she was allergic to and Erin liked.

Dawn felt a deep-seated resistance to Blaine's intimate moves.

She pushed his hand away, and Blaine felt irritated. He wanted to pat her head, but she dodged once again.

Previously, Dawn would act like a docile kitten after an episode. But she was particularly distant this time.

Blaine had a strange feeling.

But he didn't have much time to ponder, as his alarm rang.

It reminded him of his plan to see a musical with Erin.

Blaine furrowed his eyebrows and draped his coat over Dawn. He got up to leave while talking to her. "Maya is being taken for treatment. You remember to take care of yourself and call me if anything comes up."

He left hurriedly, and Dawn felt a dry constriction in her throat. She couldn't voice her farewell to him.

In fact, it was Maya's birthday that day.

Blaine had promised to celebrate it with Maya every year.

Dawn held Maya's slightly cold hand and blew out the birthday candles by her bedside.

Outside the window, fireworks blossomed and formed Blaine's name.

Blaine had ultimately failed to keep his word. He didn't celebrate Maya's birthday but watched the fireworks with Erin.

Dawn stared out of the window for a long time. She eventually removed the ring from her finger and tossed it into the trash can.

Maya held her close and felt sorry for her. Gently patting Dawn's back. Maya said, "Dawn, you should have been happy."

Indeed, Dawn should always be happy, as he was so passionate when she was a young girl.

Dawn and Maya blew out the candles together. They silently wished for their hopes to come true.

Since the summer she found Blaine, the little mute boy, at eighteen, Dawn's wishes had multiplied to two.

She wished Maya to be healthy and Blaine to achieve his dreams.

But she no longer thought about Blaine's career this year.

Her sole wish now was for her own happiness in the future.

She would no longer watch fireworks with him.

He had another woman with him now.