I'm Back and Better Than Ever

I didn't turn off my phone. The glare from the screen hurt my eyes in the dark.

I had just found Serena's account. It was a newly registered account, barely a month old. Before today, every post had been taken in secret.

Ethan's back, his side profile, his hands, his cuffs… Every angle was carefully framed, carrying the traces of a young girl's earnest devotion.

Just like how I once was when I first fell for him. Under each photo, she'd written a little story.

A poor girl, beaten down by fate, was sponsored by a young rich man—and in her gratitude, she fell in love with him.

"At my darkest moment, he appeared like an angel, paid off all my debts, and told me, 'Don't be afraid. I'm here.'"

She turned their story into a fairytale, a love story between the prince and Cinderella. Pure, romantic, and worthy of blessings.

The comments under each post stung more than the photos themselves.

"She loves him in such a humble way! I hope he can turn around and notice her."

"This is what mutual love looks like!"

"This is too sweet! Please share more of your love story!"

I stared at the screen and laughed. It sounded like glass cracking. So even betrayal could be written into a romantic love poem.

For the next two days, I kept checking on that account, as if trapped in a nightmare that looped endlessly. They went to Elysia Island. The sea that Ethan had promised to take me to for sixty years was somewhere I never got to see.

The waves crashed as they surfed and dove together on their private beach.

Fancy restaurants, fireworks, night skies, and sea breeze. Everything he had once promised me was being fulfilled, for someone else.

Photos after photos of smiles, hands held together, kisses.

My tears fell onto the screen, blurring the last photo—two hands with their fingers intertwined, resting on a marriage certificate.

The caption read: "We got our marriage certificate! Heaven knows how much I ugly cried just now. He kissed me with a smile, saying I'm the most beautiful girl in the world."

The comments were full of blessings.

"Congratulations!"

"This is what true fated love looks like!"

"He finally chose the right person!"

I was the only one who felt like I was thrown into ice-cold water, frozen to the core till I was numb. When my tears finally dried, I wiped the corners of my eyes and pulled up the suitcase I'd already packed.

Today happened to be the day I was supposed to go abroad. George was waiting for me at the airport. When he saw me, his gaze was gentle and filled with pride.

"Once you're in Verenza, study hard. Don't let your talent go to waste."

I nodded and gave him a light hug. "Thank you. I will."

In Novara, he was the only person I still cared for.

"Come visit me in Verenza when you're free," I said.

"I certainly will," he replied with a smile. I smiled back and bid him farewell.

I turned and headed toward the boarding gate, luggage rolling behind me. Then, I heard a familiar voice. I recognized that laugh all too well.

I didn't dare to look back. But out of the corner of my eye, I spotted Ethan holding Serena's hand as they brushed past me.

My steps faltered for a moment, but I forced myself to keep walking.

Ethan clearly didn't notice me. His head was lowered, and his eyes were filled with laughter—all reserved for her.

"Ethan," Serena asked softly, "Are you really going back to Elara? Then what about me?"

I stopped in my tracks.

The conversation behind me pierced straight through my ears.

"She's been with me for ten years," Ethan's voice was steady and gentle, "If I leave her, she won't survive. I have to take responsibility.

"Our wedding is tomorrow. I'll give her a fake certificate. Don't worry, the position of Mrs. Larsen is yours."

The words 'fake marriage certificate' were like a knife, cutting through the last shred of hesitation I had left.

So, even in this life, he still lied to me. Even our wedding was a whole act.

I didn't look back. Instead, I tightened my grip on my luggage handle and kept walking toward the boarding gate.

The announcements called passengers to board, as footsteps rose and fell all around me. But it felt as if I couldn't hear a single sound.

Ethan, you said I couldn't live without you, but you didn't realize that once a person truly died inside, they no longer fear losing anything.

I boarded the plane and fastened my seatbelt. Outside the window, the Floren night sky glittered just as it always had. But that light no longer belonged to me.

…..

At the same time, on the other side of the airport, Ethan walked past the exit with Serena. He came to a sudden stop and frowned.

"What's wrong?" Serena asked. Ethan looked up, lost in thought for a fleeting moment.

"It's Elara's perfume scent," he murmured. "She was just here."

A gust of wind brushed past him, carrying a faint scent of orange blossoms. That was the last trace of myself I left behind in Floren.