I'm Back and Better Than Ever

I stood frozen, my back stiff as I forced myself to look composed, even though my heart had already crumbled into dust.

Ethan spotted me almost instantly. He walked over briskly, his expression carrying a tenderness that was hard to ignore.

"Are you done, Ellie? Let's go to the bridal shop then," he said. That nickname, 'Ellie', had once carried warmth and familiarity for me. But now, it cut me like a knife.

He reached out, trying to take my hand. But I subconsciously stepped back.

The air between us hung awkwardly.

"I'm tired," I said, avoiding his gaze, my voice barely above a whisper. "I don't want to try on wedding dresses anymore."

Ethan was stunned for a moment, his brows furrowed. He pressed his palm to my forehead. "Are you feeling sick? I'll take you to a doctor."

I could feel his large hand tremble slightly against my skin.

For a moment, I almost believed in him again—that he still cared about me. But loving someone and being used to caring for them were never the same thing.

I stared at him blankly as tears streamed down my cheeks uncontrollably.

Ethan panicked at the sight of that. "Don't cry, Ellie. Okay?"

He had never let me shed a tear for him before. I drew in a deep breath and forced a smile. "It's fine. Let's go check out the wedding dresses."

Perhaps, this was the last chance I would ever give him.

…

The bridal shop was softly lit, and the mirror stretched across the entire wall.

I tried on one wedding dress after another, layers of white tulle surrounding me like a carefully woven dream.

Ethan sat on the sofa, his gaze gentle but distant.

"Ethan," I asked softly, "you'll stay with me the whole time, right? You won't have something come up and leave halfway?"

He flashed me a gentle smile. "Of course not. I'll stay with you until you find the dress you're happy with."

That smile was too perfect, even I almost fell for it. But then—

"Mr. Larsen." That voice was soft as a whisper, but it pierced right through my heart like a needle.

It was Serena. She stood at the doorway, her eyes reflecting a mix of complicated emotions—regret and restraint.

Ethan's steps faltered briefly, but he quickly regained his composure, moving forward as if nothing had happened. Yet, the hand he held mine with tensed up ever so slightly. His knuckles stiffened, fingers cold to the touch.

In that instant, I heard the sound of my heart breaking.

I tried on more dresses, letting him comment on each, allowing myself to drown in the illusion. Perhaps in my past life, I had neglected him too much, which drove him to seek someone else.

So this time, I wouldn't let go.

But his responses grew increasingly indifferent. Each time I asked for his opinion, he would simply say, "Looks nice."

When his phone buzzed, his gaze was almost instantly drawn to the screen. He instinctively gripped it tightly, to the point his knuckles turned white, as if afraid I might see the content.

Those few seconds of silence were more piercing than any fights.

I stared at him, my fingers clutching my dress.

He finally looked up, offering an apologetic smile. "Something urgent came up, Ellie. You go ahead and choose—I'll be back right away."

I reached out, holding him tightly. "Don't go, please? Just for today?"

My voice trembled, and my fingertips were pale.

He lowered his gaze, silent. A few seconds later, still as gentle as ever, he pried my hand away. "I'm sorry. I'll be back as soon as I can."

The moment he left, my heart became completely hollow. I almost sank to my knees, but clung to the counter with all my strength, forcing myself to appear dignified.

"Ms. Brooks, we have a few new dresses here. Would you like to try them on?" The saleswoman's smile was bright and polite.

I fought back tears, adjusting the straps of my dress, but they had already fallen onto the white tulle as I whispered, "No, thank you. I don't need a wedding dress anymore."

She was stunned for a moment as her smile faltered. I turned and left the bridal shop.

It felt as if the wind carried me all the way to the most expensive restaurant in Floren.

Perhaps some truths must be witnessed with your own eyes before you can finally let go of them.

Through the glass, I saw them. Ethan sat by the window, wearing a black shirt with the collar slightly undone, his posture relaxed and yet composed.

Serena sat across from him, her eyes sparkling. Their glasses clinked together, the crisp sound felt like a slap across my face.

He wiped a trace of red wine from the corner of her lips, so tenderly it made me want to throw up. It was a gentleness I had never received before in this life.

My fingers pressed against the glass, cold and almost numb. In the reflection, I wore my pristine wedding dress, looking like a ridiculous ghost.

It turned out I hadn't lost him. I had just finally seen him for who he truly was. When I turned, I caught a glimpse of my reflection, split in two by the glass.

It was in that moment that I finally understood: the sharpest blade was never betrayal, but gentleness.