Chapter 3

When the scandal broke, I phoned him immediately, demanding answers.

Simon responded coolly, "We were simply going over the screenplay, Claire. If others doubt me, do you also lack faith in me?"

Affection had become a tool for my undoing. My love for him kept me quiet.

After a pause, I struggled to keep my voice steady as I replied, "I believe you."

However, the next voice I heard wasn't Simon's.

"Darling, dinner's ready. Are you coming?"

I was about to speak when the abrupt click of him ending the call felt like a physical strike.

A wave of resentment rose in my throat, and my chest constricted with agonizing pain.

Fond recollections of our time together flooded my mind.

On the final day of our three-year relationship, I purchased a ticket for their film premiere.

Observing their close interactions on stage, they performed the famous declaration scene from the movie.

My disguise glasses misted over with tears. A nearby girl noticed my quiet weeping and offered me a packet of tissues.

The tissues were adorned with images of Simon and Hannah.

"Their love story moves you too, right? They're truly a perfect pair!"

Teardrops splashed onto my diary as my memories became hazy.

When I regained composure, I instinctively wiped away the tear marks and quietly departed, diary in hand.

At home, I leafed through my diary, revisiting our shared memories.

Upon Simon's return, he casually sipped the soup I'd prepared. Smiling, he said, "So you haven't forgotten about me? I knew you were trying to lure me home earlier."

Even now, he still assumed I was deceiving him.

I let out a wry chuckle, huddled under my blanket, and clung to the faint warmth of a hot water bottle.

The next day, the production team announced our relocation to Switzerland for filming.

My assigned seat on the plane was adjacent to Simon's.

Hannah gazed at me expectantly. Just as she was about to speak, I extended my ticket to her.

"Let's exchange seats."

She feigned reluctance and coyly answered, "Don't you want to sit beside Simon? Even when I'm not physically next to him, I know our hearts are always connected."

She looked at me with a provocative gleam, eager to gauge my reaction.

As the deadline neared, I had gradually forgotten our good times and only recalled Simon's recent aloofness towards me.

I responded indifferently, "Oh."

"If you're not interested, I'll find someone else to switch with."

Uncharacteristically direct in public, Simon grasped my arm and retorted, "Is that how much you detest sitting with me?"

I couldn't fathom why he was so agitated.

Perhaps I had bruised his ego?

Perplexed, I asked, "Do you want to sit with me? I assumed you'd prefer Hannah's company."

My words hit a sensitive spot. Simon snatched my ticket and pulled Hannah close.

"If you're so averse, then stay out of my life forever!"

I watched as he stormed off with Hannah, his arm firmly around her waist.

My eyes stung, but curiously, my heart didn't ache as much.

His final threatening words no longer held much significance for me.

During our free time in Switzerland, I acquired a new diary.

I filled it with people and moments that truly held meaning.

This time, Simon was excluded.

After boarding the production crew's bus, I gazed out the window. The snow-covered landscape stretched endlessly, tranquil and pristine.