Chapter 5

"The temperature in the Gobeki Desert is minus four degrees Fahrenheit. Cora was afraid Preston would be cold, so she took off her own coat and draped it over him. God, they're so sweet together!"

"Holy crap! This is the scene from the novel where Cora and Preston pledge their love for each other!"

"Hurry up and kiss already!"

The camera in my hand suddenly dropped to the ground.

"Allen? Are you okay?" Faye walked over.

"Y-yeah, I'm fine." I crouched down to pick up the camera. My fingers trembled so badly that it took two tries to grasp it.

Cora had promised to take me to see the northern lights.

Back in college, she held my hand and said, "Allen, once I'm rich, we'll go see the northern lights. They symbolize eternal love."

I waited for her for ten years, and yet now she had taken another man instead.

"Allen, you look terrible." Faye bent down to look at me. "Are you having a heatstroke?"

"Maybe…"

Faye had her assistant bring over a Gatorade and handed it to me.

"Why don't you head back to the hotel and get some rest first? We can continue the shoot tomorrow."

I hesitated for a moment, then nodded.

With my mind all over the place, nothing I captured would have any soul to it.

"Sorry for holding up the schedule."

"Don't worry about it. Your health comes first."

Back at the hotel, I sat numbly on the bed, staring at the ceiling.

The air conditioner hummed, blending with the beat of my heart.

Suddenly, I found the whole thing laughable.

I had already decided we would go our separate ways, so why did I still care about that promise?

I tapped on Cora's chat window on WhatsApp and sent her the divorce agreement.

"If there are no issues, let's sign it when I get back."

I thought Cora would call me immediately or at least ask why, but she didn't.

An hour passed, and still she hadn't replied.

A little past 9:00 am, the doorbell rang.

I opened the door to see Faye standing outside with a glass of smoothie in hand.

"Are you feeling better?" she asked, handing me the smoothie.

"Much better, thank you. I'll definitely make up for the lost time tomorrow."

She paused, then said, "There's something I'd like to ask you. Next month is my parents' golden wedding anniversary, and I was hoping you could take some photos for them. Do you think you can squeeze it in your schedule? I'll pay triple your usual rate."

I blinked. "You want me?"

"Yes. There's real warmth to your photos."

"Thank you. I'd be honored."

"So, would you like to grab a bite together? My parents happen to be nearby right now. We could sit down and discuss the style of the shoot."

"Sure, let me change my clothes."

After seeing Faye off, I picked up my phone and took a look.

Cora still hadn't replied.

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

Faye and her parents, Bruce Merrill and Jennifer Grant, were already there.

"Hello, Mr. and Mrs. Merrill."

"Have a seat. Don't be shy." Mrs. Merrill took my hand and looked me up and down. "Young man, you're really quite handsome."

"Thank you, Mrs. Merrill."

Sitting across from me, Faye smiled at me and mouthed silently, "Don't be nervous."

I returned the smile.

Mrs. Merrill held my hand and chatted at length. She told me stories about her and Mr. Merrill when they were young, how they met, and how they made it all the way to this day.

"My husband and I have been married for 50 years." She patted my hand. "Allen, I'm counting on you for these photos."

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

Just then, the door to the private room suddenly swung open.

Everyone turned to look.

Cora stood in the doorway. She looked travel-worn, the makeup around her eyes smudged with sweat.

She glanced at Faye, then at her parents, and finally her gaze landed on me. Her eyes reddened.

"You're divorcing me for her?" she asked in a trembling voice. "And you've already met her parents?"