Chapter 5

[It's twenty degrees below zero in Northreach. The male lead was afraid the heroine would be cold, so he took off his coat and put it around her. So sweet!]

[Holy crap, this is the original novel's love-confession scene for the male lead and heroine!]

[Kiss! Kiss! Kiss!]

The camera in my hand suddenly fell to the ground.

"Ms. Linton? Are you okay?" Lucas walked over.

"I'm... I'm fine."

I crouched to pick up the camera, but my fingers shook so badly I had to try twice before I could hold it.

The aurora.

He had promised to take me to see the aurora.

In college, he had held my hand and said, "Mara, when I have money, we'll go see the northern lights."

He said the aurora symbolized eternal love.

He made me wait ten years.

Now he had taken another woman.

"Ms. Linton, you look really pale." Lucas bent down to look at me. "Are you overheated?"

"Maybe..."

Lucas asked his assistant to bring me medicine and handed it to me.

"Go back to the hotel and rest. We can shoot tomorrow."

I hesitated, then nodded.

My heart was a mess. Anything I shot like this would have no soul.

"I'm sorry. I delayed the schedule."

"It's fine. Your health matters more."

Back at the hotel, I sat on the bed in a daze, staring at the ceiling.

The air conditioner hummed, blending with my heartbeat.

Suddenly, I found it a little funny.

I had already decided to part ways with him. Why did I still care about that promise?

I opened Preston's chat and sent him the divorce agreement.

If there's no problem, let's sign this when I get back.

I thought Preston would call me immediately.

At least he would ask why.

But he did not.

An hour passed.

Preston still did not reply.

A little after nine, the doorbell rang.

I opened the door. Lucas was standing outside with a cup of hot tea.

"Feeling better?" He handed it to me.

"Much better. Thank you. I'll make up the schedule tomorrow."

He paused. "There's something I'd like to ask you for help with."

"What is it?"

"Next month is my parents' golden anniversary. I'd like you to take a set of anniversary photos for them. Can you make time?

"I'll pay you triple your normal rate."

I froze. "Me?"

"Yes. Your lens has warmth."

"Thank you for the recognition. I'd be honored."

"Then would you be free to have dinner together? My parents are nearby. We can sit down and talk about the style for the shoot."

"Sure. Let me change."

After seeing Lucas off, I picked up my phone.

Preston still had not replied.

I changed and went to the restaurant we had agreed on.

Lucas and his parents were already there.

"Hello, Mrs. Rhodes. Hello, Mr. Rhodes."

"Sit, sit. Don't be so formal." Mrs. Rhodes took my hand and looked me over. "What a pretty young woman."

"Thank you, Mrs. Rhodes."

Lucas sat across from me and smiled, mouthing, Don't be nervous.

I smiled back.

Mrs. Rhodes held my hand and talked for a long time.

She told me about her and Mr. Rhodes when they were young, how they met, and how they made it to today.

"Fifty years." She patted my hand. "Mara, we're counting on you for this set of photos."

"Don't worry. I'll make sure they turn out beautifully."

As we were talking, the private room door was suddenly pushed open.

Everyone turned.

Preston stood at the doorway.

He looked travel-worn, even his tie crooked.

He saw Lucas, then Lucas's parents, and finally his gaze landed on me.

His eyes were red. "You're divorcing me because of him?"

His voice shook.

"You've even... met his parents?"