Chapter 4

At first, she would proactively send video check-ins wherever she went.

She would hold me tight when I had insomnia and tell me stories all night long.

As long as she was home, I never washed a single dish or cooked a single meal.

When did things start to change?

Questions I couldn't figure out—I simply stopped thinking about them.

Things that had gone bad—I simply discarded them.

I called housekeeping to pack up and throw away all her belongings.

I also changed the locks so no one but me could enter.

After arranging everything, I dragged my suitcase straight to the airport.

Along the way, mall screens were all broadcasting the wedding news of her and Robinson.

The way she looked at him was so tender it seemed to overflow.

I smiled mockingly at myself.

I thought her growing coldness was the iron will and composure honed by the business world.

It turned out the bright moon simply hung high, refusing to shine on me alone.

Fortunately, nature embraces everyone gently.

I went to East Africa to see wildebeest migrations, to Hokkaido to see falling red leaves, to New Zealand to see lupines covering the mountains.

My last stop was Norway.

The aurora seemed alive, moving like sprites in the night sky.

In the silence, I could only hear the thundering of my own heartbeat.

It turned out watching the aurora alone could also be romantic.

I remembered when the company first went public, she bought a pair of diamond rings—the best she could afford at the time.

When she knelt on one knee, her eyes looking up at me seemed filled with an entire galaxy.

"When I have more money later, I'll replace them with bigger diamond rings."

"Maybe I won't be so busy then. I'll take you to Norway to see the aurora you've always talked about, and give you a proper wedding trip."

"Let's plan it for our tenth anniversary, okay?"

Now, the shadow on the ground was so lonely it seemed to mock the worthlessness of her promise.

I took a photo and posted it on Twitter.

[Be my own light, no longer chasing anyone.]

Scrolling down, I saw that Muriel, who had never posted about me once on Twitter, had posted many updates.

She refused to accompany me, yet she flew around the world with Robinson.

Under the Eiffel Tower, in the dusk of Prague's Old Town Square, on Venice's waterways... all bore the sweet couple photos of the two of them.

The limited-edition Patek Philippe watch on his wrist had a sapphire-studded dial that shone blindingly.

That was the heirloom collection piece she'd bought at auction last month for nine million.

When interviewed by the media, she said it was a gift for her lover.

I thought she would personally put it on me on our tenth anniversary, but I was just being presumptuous.

The journey was coming to an end.

I stopped by to inspect a hotel under the Leonardo Group.

Since I'd decided to go home, I should familiarize myself with the family business in advance.

When checking in, the staff bowed respectfully.

"How long will Mr. Leonardo be staying? Please let us know if you need anything."

I didn't want to alert anyone and just asked the staff to treat me normally.

Even for an inspection, I wanted peace and quiet.

But even this small wish was easily shattered.

While walking in the garden, I saw Muriel and Robinson.

Several photographers surrounded them, taking wedding photos.

She carefully adjusted his tie, her every movement showing a focus I hadn't seen in ages.

So this wasn't an ordinary trip.

The wedding trip she promised me—she gave it to someone else.

Seeing me, Muriel instinctively frowned.

"I said I'd go with you next time. Why did you follow us here?"

"We're already divorced. Mind your boundaries."

Before I could speak, Robinson tugged on her sleeve, drawing out his voice. "Muriel, don't be so fierce."

"I happen to be having trouble choosing my next groom's outfit. Why don't you let Leonardo help me pick?"