Sunshine in Asheville

I couldn't go home, and I didn't need to work overtime. For a moment, I didn't know where to go. I checked the time-it was already six.

Lucas should be off work by now, so I decided to pick him up.

It used to be me working overtime while he waited for me downstairs at the office. This time, I had some free time, so I thought I'd surprise him and go pick him up.

On the way, I stopped at a familiar flower shop and bought a bouquet.

Romance knows no gender, right?

While swiping my card, I pulled up the hidden messenger account linked to a bank card my family didn't know about.

Thanks to my best friend,Sarah, who dragged me five years ago to open a new bank account and repeatedly told me not to tell anyone about this card. She also made me set this card as the default for my bonuses and some freelance income.

Over the years, this card had accumulated quite a sum.

I was grateful to myself for not telling anyone about it.

Otherwise, I'd probably be a truly pitiful person-disappointed in both family and work, with an empty wallet and no home to return to.

Though things were still pretty bad now, at least I still had money.

I carefully picked out the bouquet, then went to a nearby beauty store and spent some money getting my makeup done. Afterward, I took a taxi to Lucas's office building.

I had planned to surprise him, but what I didn't expect was that I would be the one receiving the "surprise."

At 6:30, Lucas appeared downstairs from his office.

I straightened my clothes, holding the flowers and preparing to give him the surprise.

But just as I took a few steps, I saw a well-dressed woman running toward him, spinning around and throwing herself into his arms.

The next moment, they kissed.

The flowers fell from my hand, and I stood frozen in shock.

Two blows in a single day were already too much. Who would have thought that fortune wouldn't come in twos, but misfortune surely wouldn't come alone?

With trembling hands, I pulled out my phone and recorded a video. At least this way, I wouldn't have to explain why the money for the house was gone.

Now, work had failed me, family had failed me, and now love had failed me too.

I couldn't say I was heartbroken anymore. At this point, I felt numb.

The things that used to support me seemed to have disappeared all at once.

I once had a happy family, a stable relationship, and a promising job. But today... today, in less than a day-hell, not even twelve hours-I discovered that the once-happy family was a bubble, the seemingly stable love that was supposed to lead to marriage was already shattered, and what I thought was a promising job was just someone else dangling a carrot in front of me.

Once, I was busy with work every day, then spent time after work on my relationship, and after that, I'd enjoy time with family.

But now, I had nowhere to go, nothing to do.

I found a McDonald's and ordered a kids' meal.

While eating, I played with the toy that came with it, zoning out.

After finishing the pitiful little burger and snack, I ordered another burger meal.

I hadn't eaten fried chicken in six months because I wanted to look good for the wedding.

But now? Who cares.

After eating the fries and licking my fingers, I checked for the next available flight to the city I'd wanted to visit for the past three years-Asheville.

I didn't need to pack anything. I'd buy whatever I needed when I got there.

Though I didn't have much money, I figured it would be enough to get me through the next few days.

As for what would happen after that, I'd cross that bridge when I came to it.

No use thinking too much about it. Once, I thought about marrying Lucas, about what kind of wedding dress I'd wear and what kind of celebration I'd have.

But what was the point of preparing so much? Things that weren't under my control never would be.

Just then, Lucas's call came through.

Thinking about how he had just kissed another woman made me feel disgusted.

I wanted to reject the call, but then I thought I should at least hear his explanation, so I answered it: "Hello?"

Lucas's voice was as deep and pleasant as always: "Amelia, what are you doing?"

"I'm eating. I'll be working overtime later. How about you? Have you eaten?"

I don't know if it was my imagination, but when I mentioned working overtime, I felt like Lucas breathed a sigh of relief. "I'm also working overtime. You should rest early tonight and not overwork yourself."

Hearing him say he was working overtime made me sneer internally. "Overtime, huh? You're too busy kissing your new girlfriend."

After hanging up, I sent him the video I had just recorded and added a simple message: "Let's break up."

Then, I blocked all his contact details.

I didn't care to go back and figure out when exactly he strayed. It didn't matter. Just like why I didn't get the year-end evaluation-none of that mattered now. All I wanted was to enjoy this rare moment of free time.

After finishing everything, I let out a satisfied burp, handed the toy to a little kid who had been eyeing it, and left to catch a taxi to the airport.

At least I had my ID with me.