We're All Moving Forward, No Time to Turn Back

Left alone in a freezing cold wave, a woman suffers through a painful medical crisis while her partner, Daniel, breaks his promise to return. While recovering from a D&C at the hospital, she discovers a social media post from his junior, Ada, showing them enjoying the snow together. Instead of her usual tears, she calmly leaves a congratulatory comment, choosing to release her hold on the relationship. When Daniel later begs her to wait, she realizes her love has entirely faded away.

Chapters

Chapter 3

"Mia? Long time no see! You look so much thinner. How have you been?" It was Christopher, one of Daniel's important clients and someone I had worked with when I first started my career.

I forced a wry smile. No wonder Daniel had invited me; I thought I'd be the focus, but clearly, I wasn't.

We chatted briefly, and Christopher expressed his disappointment about my resignation. Meanwhile, Daniel had already ordered a feast of spicy dishes.

"You don't usually eat spicy food, right? Should I help you pick something else?" Christopher glanced my way.

Daniel looked surprised.

I chuckled lightly. "I'm just trying to shed some pounds."

I'd known Daniel for ten years—through high school, our first love, and now marriage. I had gone from being his shining star to just his everyday meal.

I remembered everything about him, but he seemed oblivious to my presence. It wasn't entirely his fault; after we got married, I'd been living according to his expectations, like a shadow.

The mood became awkward, and just when it felt like it couldn't get any worse, a striking figure appeared. "Daniel! Is that really you? What a surprise!"

Daniel's eyes flashed with surprise as he pulled Ada aside and spoke quietly. "Didn't we already hang out yesterday?"

Ada dismissed him with a wave and confidently sat down across from him. "This is fate! Look, you ordered all my favorite dishes. You don't mind if I join, do you?"

Yesterday, Daniel had skipped out on coming home because he was out with Ada enjoying the snow. Today, he was missing our shopping plans. I was the unchanging grain of rice, while Ada, a new hire and his former classmate, sparkled like a vibrant red rose.

Daniel's gaze flickered to me, clearly worried I might blow up as I had before. But instead, I simply raised my hand to call the waiter for another set of utensils.

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