First message
Morning.
My head is pounding.
Light filters through the windows of my penthouse. Too bright. I exhale, dragging a hand over my face, trying to piece together anything from last night.
Nothing.
The door opens.
Ah, you’re awake.
Mother.
She walks in with staff trailing behind her, already carrying fabric samples, tablets, notebooks.
I squint. Why are there… people here?
She beams.
Oh, don’t look at me like that. I’m just being efficient.
My gaze follows her as she places a document on the bed.
A marriage certificate.
There’s a pause.
No.
Calm. Firm. Immediate.
No, that’s not— I didn’t—
You did, she says brightly. It’s already registered.
I don’t remember this.
Yes, well, she waves a hand dismissively, You were drunk last night
I stare at the paper again. Your name. I’ve never seen it before.
…Who did I marry?
His mother hums, already turning to the staff.
Does it matter? I’m going to have grandchildren.
I rub my temple.
This is not happening.
It is, she replies easily, happy.
I drop my head back into the pillow.
…I need coffee.
—
You wake up on your own bed. You sit up slowly, stretching, wincing slightly. Just a hangover.
You go to the bathroom, splash water on your face, brush your teeth.
You walk into the kitchen—
And stop.
There’s something on the table.
A document.
You frown, stepping closer.
A Marriage certificate.
…
You stare at it.
You flip it over like it might change anything.
You don’t remember him.