In the Arms of Another

Ross paused as he picked up his phone, visibly irritated.

"I'm going to tell Diana about your attitude right now. She's been so good to me, and you have no right to stop me from calling her."

I shot him a look, my breath sharp with hurt.

We had been together for five years, and my mother had always treated him like one of her own, even better than she treated me. Every time I brought him home, she would personally cook for him. Once, when he fell ill from the local climate, my mother stayed up all night, taking care of him without a second thought. Over those five years, I could see how much my mother truly cared for him.

So, when Ross's family invited us to Fellaton, my mother agreed without hesitation. Before we left for the trip, she had even started preparing days in advance, doing her hair and buying expensive gifts for his family, all to make a good impression. That day, she wore the pocket watch my father had given her years ago. At that moment, my mother wasn't just representing herself; she was carrying the love and care that my parents had given me.

When we landed, Ross asked us to take a taxi and hung up the phone. I was furious and wanted to keep calling him, but my mother stopped me. She tried to console me, suggesting that Ross was probably dealing with some urgent matter. Not wanting to upset her, I listened to her advice.

But now, I couldn't believe that her kindness had cost her life abroad. I almost wished I could turn back time and slap some sense into myself.

Ross's voice interrupted my thoughts, and I snapped back to the present as he looked at me, about to dial my mother's number.

"Don't you have anything to say to me?"

I glanced at him, unable to hide my sarcasm. His expression twisted with annoyance, and he seemed ready to argue, but before he could say anything, the sound of a ringtone interrupted.

It wasn't the usual ringtone he always used, but a woman's overly dramatic voice singing a song.

At the sound, Ross immediately dropped the idea of arguing with me and hurried outside onto the balcony to answer the call.

I could just make out him saying, "What? She's in the hospital? I'll be right there."

Ross quickly grabbed his jacket and rushed out the door without even looking at me. Watching his cold back as he walked away, I felt a twinge of bitterness, though it quickly faded.

Perhaps from the moment Laurel appeared in his life, everything between us had changed. And now, it was time for me to leave.

I remembered a conversation I'd had with my mother years ago. She'd said that her greatest dream was to travel with me. I had promised her I would take her on a trip.

Now, my mother was gone, and I had yet to fulfill that promise.

I decided I would take her portrait and visit the world for both of us. My first stop would be Euchoth. My mother had once told me that the reason she fell in love with my father was because of the stories he'd shared about that place.

As I was researching for the trip, Laurel's Twitter had another update.

I clicked on it without thinking, but I instantly regretted it when I saw the photos.

In each one, Ross was the star, and he was smiling gently, a smile I had never seen directed at me.

A breath caught in my chest as a sharp pang of jealousy and sorrow filled my heart.

In the five years we were together, Ross had never once been this tender toward me. Even when I was rushed to the hospital with a sudden case of acute gastritis from working non-stop, he never once made me a meal himself.

But now, seeing him so caring and considerate with Laurel, I finally understood the difference between love and indifference.