Never Look Back: I Found a New Me

The world was entire of beautiful things, yet it felt like I was trapped in Simon's orbit.

I became an actress because of him and every role I've taken has been to get closer to his sets.

I pressed my pen hard against the paper, writing down everything I wanted to experience in the future.

Focused on my writing, I didn't notice Hannah leaning over.

She snatched my notebook and began reading aloud with a teasing grin.

"Go deep-sea diving?"

"Claire, have you never done this before? If you go, you could ask Simon to join you. He taught me personally the last time I went."

Of course, I already knew—she'd posted about it on her social media.

His long, elegant fingers had held her steady as she dove.

Those same hands once gripped mine just as tightly.

Simon's expression darkened as he overheard her words.

Then my phone buzzed. I opened it to see his message, which was still pinned at the top of my chat list.

After unpinning the chat, I read his message.

"Why do you keep bringing up things from so long ago? Is it necessary, Claire?"

"I can recommend an instructor if you want to try diving, but if you expect me to join you. Sorry, I'm busy."

I stared at the message momentarily, set his chat to "Do Not Disturb," and replied with a simple "Oh."

I watched his face darken suddenly, but I didn't care. I snatched back my diary and glared at Hannah.

"There are no cameras now, so nobody likes a loudmouth like you."

Hannah turned to Simon with a pitiful look. "Simon."

As Simon was about to say something, I put on my headphones, cutting him off.

Wendy had already arrived in Switzerland, so I sent her the hotel location arranged by the production team.

Not long after, there was a knock at my door.

I rushed to the door without even putting on my shoes.

As I opened the door, my smile faltered. "What are you doing here?"

Standing there was Simon.

Instead of answering my question, he frowned deeply and asked, "Who were you expecting? Are you unhappy to see me?"

Recently, Simon had been acting strangely—almost unrecognizably so.

When we used to film at the same hotel, he never came looking for me and didn't allow me to seek him out either.

"Work comes first. We're married, but does it matter if we stay together or not?"

But now, he was asking me things like.

"Why didn't you come see me today? Do you even remember we're married?"

I replied flatly, "Better to avoid rumors."

He instinctively retorted, "We're abroad!"

Before he could say more, my phone rang. Wendy was calling to tell me she was stuck outside the hotel.

At that moment, Simon noticed I was barefoot and sneered, "Who are you so excited about? No wonder you've been acting so … "

"It's none of your business," I cut him off coldly.

Just as he used to say to me whenever I questioned him about Hannah.

I threw on my clothes, slipped into my shoes and didn't even spare a glance for Simon as I bolted downstairs.

Wendy handed me a thick stack of notebooks and we found a quiet spot together.

She watched me nervously, worried I'd have second thoughts.

I gave her a bitter smile. "This time, I truly want to forget, Wendy. Three days—that's all that's left."

As I spoke, I lit a match.

The paper slowly turned to ash in the fire, just as my love for you faded.

I handed Wendy a new journal. "Three days from now, give this back to me."

The Swiss Alps were breathtaking, their peaks seeming to melt into the clear blue sky.