Find The Most Beautiful Version of Yourself

The next day, I was deeply focused on reviewing old cases when I heard a female voice outside the door.

“Scott, today I have to see your legendary studio!”

“Come on in any time! You’re always welcome here!”

I couldn’t help but smirk at his hypocrisy. He had always had this double standard.

I remembered a time when I had brought a friend home while we were going to a business trip. When Scott returned that night, he had scolded me sternly. “Lillian, don’t bring strangers into the house without my permission.”

Now, without a word to me, he was bringing Hannah into our home.

I wasn’t interested in dealing with them.

But then the door swung open, and Hannah gasped in surprise.

“Ah… Lillian, you’re here too!”

She was younger than both Scott and me, and the first time we met, she had called me “Lillian” with such condescension, as if I were just a junior.

“Why are you hiding in here? It’s so rude not to come out and say hello!”

Scott’s face darkened with clear irritation.

“Scott, am I bothering Lillian? Is she not welcoming? Should I just leave…”

Before she could finish, Scott hurried over to reassure her, patting her shoulder.

“Not at all, make yourself at home!”

I watched them interact with a sense of resignation, feeling completely indifferent.

Hannah suddenly stepped closer, staring at my cast with wide-eyed exaggeration.

“Lillian, your arm is injured. Scott said you were just faking it to get sympathy…”

She quickly realized she’d let something slip and clamped her hand over her mouth.

“But Lillian, you’re so brave! It was so dark and dangerous out there. Were you scared?”

Her overly dramatic manner brought back the memories of that night.

Scott was missing, and based on the timeline, he should have been on the mountain.

I had pleaded with several rescue teams before one finally agreed to accompany me.

It was raining heavily, and the mountain path was pitch black. When lightning illuminated the sky, it revealed the wreckage of the landslide.

Was I scared?

More than anything, I was terrified that if Scott died because I wasn’t fast enough, I wouldn’t be able to live with myself.

Fueled by desperation, I moved rocks with my bare hands, calling out Scott’s name continuously.

Three days and nights without rest, until I was hoarse and finally struck by a falling rock.

The doctor said if that rock had been just a bit more off-target, I might not have survived.

Just thinking about it now makes me break out in a cold sweat.

I nodded. “Yeah, I was scared, but when it comes to saving Scott, I don’t really think about that.”

A flicker of remorse crossed Scott’s eyes, and he seemed about to say something.

But Hannah lowered her head with a hint of melancholy.

“You’re amazing! I don’t think I could have done it if it were me.”

Scott hesitated, then turned back to her with a gaze full of affection.

“Everyone is different. Just take care of yourself.”

Even Hannah's briefest hint of sadness was enough for him to soften.

She laughed lightly, playfully punching Scott with a faux-shy gesture.

“Who said I’m only taking care of myself? If I hadn’t changed my mind that day, we might both have been buried.”

“Scott, you should remember I actually saved you!”

Scott’s face lit up with a smile as he affectionately ruffled her hair.

“Right, you’re absolutely right. You’re my lucky star!”

But Hannah seemed to forget that Scott’s trip to the mountain was because of her in the first place.

“You’d better thank me properly for this big favor. I won’t accept anything less!”

Hannah pouted, putting on an innocent act.

“Just tell me what you want, and if I have it, it’s yours!”

“Then let’s cook a meal together and cheer up injured Lillian!”

I was about to refuse, but the thought of the nauseating instant noodles made me keep quiet.

“You don’t know how to cook, so I’ll handle it.”

Scott grinned and headed to the kitchen.

After years of dating Scott, this was the first time he’d ever set foot in the kitchen. Hannah followed him in, excitedly directing his every move.

The table was set with a feast that looked and smelled incredible. Hannah couldn’t stop praising Scott.

“Scott, you’re amazing! This food is delicious! Don’t you think so, Lillian?”

I gave a neutral nod. “I had no idea he could cook like this!”

Unfortunately, everything on the table was drenched in spice.

Hannah eagerly served Scott a piece of spicy water-boiled beef.

He ate it without a hint of hesitation, nodding approvingly.

I used to be a huge fan of spicy food myself. On my first weekend after moving in, I prepared an entire spread of spicy dishes.

The setup was the same, the water-boiled beef just as fiery.

But as soon as Scott tasted it, he spat it out, scrunching his face.

“This is too spicy! How is anyone supposed to eat this?”

Without a second glance at me or our guests, he stormed off to bed, slamming the door behind him.

From then on, whenever I cooked, everything had to be mild.

It wasn’t that Scott couldn’t handle spice. He just needed to see who was cooking.

They were eagerly serving themselves, and when they noticed I hadn’t touched my food, Scott's irritation was palpable.

“Scott worked hard on this meal. Why aren’t you eating, Lillian? Are you still upset with him?”

Hannah’s tone dripped with sarcasm, making Scott’s expression darken further.

“Lillian, why are you showing the attitude? I didn’t force you to go on that rescue mission; you chose to do it yourself.”

I stood up and gestured toward the dishes.

“From doctor’s orders, I should have no spicy food.”

Go ahead and eat if you want.”

Scott’s anger shifted to embarrassment.

“Scott, you should be gentler when you talk to girls.”

Hannah tugged at his sleeve, clearly trying to help him out of the awkward moment. “Apologize and make it right!”

“Lillian, I’m sorry for not answering your call that day. It was my fault,” Scott apologized.

But it was clear he was only doing it because Hannah suggested it.

I couldn’t help but wonder if Hannah thought everything Scott did was perfect.

“See, Scott apologized. You shouldn’t stay mad.”

“Otherwise, Scott won’t be in the mood to paint with me later!”

Their skewed logic was maddening.

“I’m fine, really. You’re making it seem like I have to be upset!”

I had no desire to watch their performance any longer. I left the room and resolved to move out as soon as I could.

In the afternoon, I saw Hannah’s new post on social media.

The caption read, “Like a Painting.”

The photo showed Scott deeply focused on a painting in his studio. It was a side profile of Hannah, with the inscription “A Lifetime with You.”

That studio had always been off-limits to me.

Yet, Hannah had free rein to wander inside.

The difference was simply a matter of love and indifference.

It’s laughable how I had deceived myself for so long.

It’s both pitiful and tragic.