His voice was furious.
“Mia, you liar!”
“You left. I didn’t agree to the breakup. Why
did you leave?”
“I didn’t promise I wouldn’t leave, so I didn’t
lie.”
I was used to his anger; my tone was calm.
“And about the breakup, whether you agree
or not, we’re over.”
“You cheated.”
“I know about you and Yuki.”
“You…”
He couldn’t speak. –
I scoffed, “That’s it. Our seven years are
over.”
I blocked his number and everything else.
Then I slept, finally able to rest.
No more catering to Austin, cooking, washing
his clothes, enduring his betrayals.
It really was better without him.
I woke up to a video from Sonia.
She’d seen Austin at a bar.
In the video, Austin and Yuki were close, with
friends talking to them.
く
“A–qiu, is it true Mia went abroad?”
Austin said nonchalantly, “It’s true.”
“Hilarious. She said she’d never come back. I
know her better than that.”
“She loves me. She can’t leave me.”
“She’ll be back in a few days.”
I wanted to say, I’ll never go back.
14.
After a few days, I started work.
The company sent me out to scout locations
and practice.
The UK has beautiful scenery; I photographed
various locations. I even captured a couple in
the park.
Ironically, even though I’m a talented
photographer, Austin and I never had a proper
photo together.
Only my birthday photos ever captured him.
That night, I posted my photos on social
media.
L
I got a like.
From Austin.
I’d forgotten to block him.
I checked his page; it was filled with photos
of him and Yuki.
For Valentine’s Day, he’d sent her ,000.
He really loved her.
I laughed and blocked him.
A few days later, my photos went viral.
Many people loved them, praising the
atmosphere.
One comment read: “You must have a story
to tell, to capture such stories in your
photos.”
My failed relationship with Austin was a story.
But it was over.
I could live well on my own.
15.
A month passed quickly.
My followers soared to a million; people were
く
booking me for shoots.
I hadn’t heard from Austin in a while.
Then, a call from an unknown number.
A familiar voice,
“When will you stop this?”
It was Austin.
I hadn’t expected to hear from him again.
“Austin, I don’t understand.”