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Chapter 16
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My Simple Bliss, Our Separate Ways Chapter 17
Speaking of which, I had met Julie once before.It was during the second year of my breakup with Luke. I had just left an after-party and was heading home when I saw Julie waiting downstairs.Before that, Julie and I had only briefly bumped into each other at a bar. After a few years, she hadn't changed much and still exuded an air of elegance.She told me her child was sick and asked for my help. In theory, I should have declined. I did initially refuse because I wanted to avoid any connection with their social circle to prevent further emotional turmoil.But when Julie showed me a photo of Misty, my eyes welled up almost involuntarily.In the photo, the little girl had two moles at the corner of her eyebrow – one on the left and one on the right, perfectly symmetrical and quite beautiful. When my own child was born, I had noticed similar moles from a distance.I couldn't believe such a coincidence existed in this world. Furthermore, I couldn't fathom why, when the child fell il
My Simple Bliss, Our Separate Ways Chapter 18
A week after I turned down Luke, he came knocking at my door again, this time with Misty by his side.The new viral café in San Anglos was bustling with people. I took every precaution not to be recognized, donning a hat and sunglasses.Luke ordered a glass of milk for the little girl, who was too small to sit at a regular table. She perched on a stool, looking incredibly cute. Luke leaned down and said something to her before abruptly turning her towards me. "Misty, say hi to Mommy."Clearly startled by his actions, Misty hesitated. Her big, round, shining eyes stared at me, as if she couldn't quite comprehend why the person in front of her had suddenly become her mother. Her stubborn little face showed her reluctance, but under Luke's threat, she reluctantly called out to me. In that moment, memories of Luke's grandfather's threats from years ago resurfaced, and I couldn't help but stop him. "Don't call me 'Mommy.' I'm no mother to her. Have I ever raised her?""Luke," I held m
My Simple Bliss, Our Separate Ways Chapter 1
On the day the Cannes Film Festival ended, it coincided with the funeral of an old friend. Pictures of Luke Smith attending the funeral with his child went viral on the internet.In the photo, Luke was holding the hand of a little girl, about three or four years old. She had a remarkably beautiful oval face, and when she smiled, two sweet dimples appeared at the corners of her mouth.Luke publicly stated that she was his daughter.The media quickly noticed that this little girl's smile bore a striking resemblance to my younger self, even down to the angle of her arched eyebrows.Rumors had long circulated that Luke's current wife couldn't conceive.The media immediately thought of me because, before Luke married his current wife, our names were always linked together, and our past was widely covered in the headlines.'Luke Smith and Hazel Jones's passionate car kiss''Luke Smith and Hazel Jones spotted together in Iceland''Luke Smith accompanies Hazel Jones to the film festival'
My Simple Bliss, Our Separate Ways Chapter 2
"Fate" has always been predestined, much like when I was fifteen, sitting by the window shaded by locust trees, admiring the graceful dance of the neighbor. Never did I think that one day, I would become a renowned female celebrity.Similarly, when I first met Luke, his pair of lonely and indifferent eyes drew me in. Little did I imagine that one day, our lives would become intertwined, filled with complexity and twists.In the summer of 2008, there was an unparalleled sense of excitement and bustle. During that time, people were living in comfort and contentment, blissfully unaware of the looming financial crisis. They also had no inkling that, a year later, the global financial crisis would sweep through, indiscriminately affecting every resident in the global village.During that year, I was a twenty-year-old college student, still fresh and inexperienced. In addition to my studies, I took on part-time work as a background actor in film and television, as well as modeling for pr
My Simple Bliss, Our Separate Ways Chapter 3
I had expected that the night after my aspiration was fulfilled would bring a peaceful and satisfying sleep. However, my attempt to adjust to the time difference suddenly came to a halt in less than two hours. I got out of bed and sat there on the soft mattress, feeling an inexplicable sense of emptiness.My nearby phone kept flashing with a continuous stream of messages. There were congratulations from colleagues, invitations from internationally renowned directors, and a few familiar financiers politely suggesting dinner at the Davinci Restaurant. The influx of messages overwhelmed my thoughts.I didn't hurry to respond. Instead, I casually turned on the TV, letting the background noise fill the bathroom as I started my shower. Over time, I had developed a habit of creating background noise in quiet surroundings.While I was in the middle of my shower, the entertainment news segment began, and the sound from the TV seeped into the bathroom, blending with the cascading water from t
My Simple Bliss, Our Separate Ways Chapter 4
At the outset, no one could have foreseen the eventual turn of events. What had initially been a picture of harmony gradually unraveled, revealing the unsettling truth concealed within.During the first half of my senior year, my interactions with Luke increased. During that period, I had to scour various studios to complete my graduation project, opting for the most affordable options.Luke mentioned that one of his friends in the film industry had some extra studio space available, which they could lend me.Since our first encounter during my sophomore year, we had crossed paths a couple of times on campus. Later, I learned that during that period, a relative of his was temporarily assigned to work at our school, and he tagged along for visits.Perhaps out of sympathy for my situation, Luke introduced me to a director, marking the commencement of my journey as an aspiring actress and setting me firmly on the path to a future in the world of acting.I stood there, directing my fe
My Simple Bliss, Our Separate Ways Chapter 5
Like the ominous prelude to a nightmare, the two hours preceding the earthquake felt just like the start of any ordinary workday. Little did we anticipate that an unexpected natural catastrophe would shatter our tranquil lives so abruptly.It was early March in Peneland, and despite the lingering snow, cherry blossoms had already begun to grace us with their presence. To offer an early reward before the ensuing two weeks of demanding work, our supervisor had granted us an early break. He had chosen the Peneland Ski Resort as our retreat—a renowned destination globally and conveniently close to our base, fostering team bonding among our team."Peneland Ski Resort? I was there last year. I mainly remember the international acclaim for their beautiful scenery. Do you have a fondness for the place?" Luke's voice came through, somewhat muffled by the blaring horns of traffic."Are you driving?""Yeah, heading back home today. Traffic's a bit of a mess."It marked the first time I'd hea
My Simple Bliss, Our Separate Ways Chapter 6
I met Max Sheldon a week after Luke's grounding had ended. He didn't tell me the whole truth, only mentioning that he had to deal with some family matters abroad.Thanks to Luke's connections, I managed to secure an opportunity with a renowned film director. Initially, I planned to start learning from the director as an assistant, but unexpectedly, just before shooting began, a crucial role remained unfilled. In a desperate situation, the director decided to cast me.So, during that period, I found myself busier than ever before, memorizing lines, rehearsing scenes, and constantly shuttling between various film sets.When Luke came to visit, it happened to be the end of a film shoot. He mentioned that he and a few friends were planning to have a gathering that evening and suggested we join them.To spare him any embarrassment, I scoured through my entire luggage and managed to find a somewhat decent black cocktail dress. However, when I appeared in front of Luke wearing that outfit
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My Simple Bliss, Our Separate Ways Chapter 18
A week after I turned down Luke, he came knocking at my door again, this time with Misty by his side.The new viral café in San Anglos was bustling with people. I took every precaution not to be recognized, donning a hat and sunglasses.Luke ordered a glass of milk for the little girl, who was too small to sit at a regular table. She perched on a stool, looking incredibly cute. Luke leaned down and said something to her before abruptly turning her towards me. "Misty, say hi to Mommy."Clearly startled by his actions, Misty hesitated. Her big, round, shining eyes stared at me, as if she couldn't quite comprehend why the person in front of her had suddenly become her mother. Her stubborn little face showed her reluctance, but under Luke's threat, she reluctantly called out to me. In that moment, memories of Luke's grandfather's threats from years ago resurfaced, and I couldn't help but stop him. "Don't call me 'Mommy.' I'm no mother to her. Have I ever raised her?""Luke," I held m
My Simple Bliss, Our Separate Ways Chapter 17
Speaking of which, I had met Julie once before.It was during the second year of my breakup with Luke. I had just left an after-party and was heading home when I saw Julie waiting downstairs.Before that, Julie and I had only briefly bumped into each other at a bar. After a few years, she hadn't changed much and still exuded an air of elegance.She told me her child was sick and asked for my help. In theory, I should have declined. I did initially refuse because I wanted to avoid any connection with their social circle to prevent further emotional turmoil.But when Julie showed me a photo of Misty, my eyes welled up almost involuntarily.In the photo, the little girl had two moles at the corner of her eyebrow – one on the left and one on the right, perfectly symmetrical and quite beautiful. When my own child was born, I had noticed similar moles from a distance.I couldn't believe such a coincidence existed in this world. Furthermore, I couldn't fathom why, when the child fell il
My Simple Bliss, Our Separate Ways Chapter 16
When Justin and I walked back home hand in hand, my mother was busy directing the helpers in a thorough cleaning. We had already acquired quite a few items for the upcoming wedding, and they were piled up in the living room. Some of them couldn't fit, so they ended up temporarily stored in our master bedroom."How was it today? Was it crowded over there? In the past, when it wasn't too busy, I used to go there for lunch. But now that it's become more popular, I don't really feel like joining the hustle and bustle," my mother commented."It was alright, not too crowded. We should bring you along next time," I replied.Although the wedding plans hadn't been confirmed yet, Justin was being very kind and treating my mother as if she were his own. My mother smiled and teasingly pushed him away with a broom, saying, "Okay, okay, you two go somewhere else. I'm cleaning up here, so don't disturb me, or I won't be making dinner for you tonight, and you'll have to take care of yourselves."J
My Simple Bliss, Our Separate Ways Chapter 15
"But Luke, my child is gone. How do you expect me to forgive? While you have your happy family, am I destined to grow old alone?"Outside the cathedral, cars passed on a pathway blanketed with golden ginkgo leaves. Each passing car stirred up a whirlwind of the withered leaves."You compromised in the end too, didn't you? You're married now. Why come back to waste my time? Does your wife know you're here?" I rubbed my slightly sore arm, thinking that tomorrow would probably be rainy. These past couple of years, due to relentless work, I had acquired some occupational ailments. I couldn't risk exposure to the wind; it made my whole body ache.Luke tried to take off his coat to offer it to me, but I declined, creating a considerable distance between us.Seeing that I wouldn't compromise, he changed the subject. "Today is Max's funeral. I attended and brought a gift on your behalf. The funeral arrangements were impeccably done."The news of Max's sudden demise had caught everyone b
My Simple Bliss, Our Separate Ways Chapter 14
Later on, my mom would describe me during that period as if I were a lunatic. I never mentioned my pregnancy to her. I simply claimed my health was deteriorating and asked her to come and care for me. I wasn't sure if I'd retain the will to live without her.The view beyond the hospital window was serene, and I often found solace in watching the trees and birds outside. For a period, there were always two birds engaged in an intricate dance, but my mom, fearing it would trigger memories, closed that window.In truth, Luke visited several times during that time. But what was the point of his visits? It was all over between us, completely over.With a child as the wager, I lost my one true love. Perhaps, the Luke I knew was merely the young man who came to my rescue back in 2008. Fate works in mysterious ways, all part of the grand design. My mom mentioned that he often stood at the doorway of my hospital room, quietly and hesitantly, never stepping inside without my permission, a
My Simple Bliss, Our Separate Ways Chapter 13
The day after I left, Luke bombarded me with phone calls, and I eventually decided to change my number. Since I couldn't give him a future, I couldn't stop him from pursuing his own.I have no idea how Luke spent those days, but I could keenly sense his heartache. During that time, I locked myself in my room, clutching our photos, crying until I felt numb, tears leaving my eyes vacant.My mom had to visit me every two hours, fearing I might do something drastic. I lay on my bed, repeatedly scrolling through our chat logs from over nine years. Each time, my heart ached afresh.A month later, word on the street had it that Luke had returned to the country and officially set a wedding date with Julie Blanchet. You see, in the end, there's always compromise. He compromised, and it was time for me to do the same.Before long, I received unexpected news from the international director I had previously worked with. He said the funding was in place and wanted me to return for the film. I n
My Simple Bliss, Our Separate Ways Chapter 12
It didn't unfold like the dramatic farewells you read about in novels – no over-the-top displays of grief or grandiose goodbyes. I left quietly, without a trace.On a night when Luke was oblivious to my plans, I sent him to buy my favorite lemon cake, neatly packed my bags, and embarked on the journey back home.Max was there to pick me up, and together, we boarded the plane heading back to our home country. He told me we were just friends after all, and that there was nothing more he could offer in the future. In the end, I realized that after I left, I would become one of those forgotten contacts in their phone.During those two months abroad, we had our moments of deep love and intimacy, but we ultimately couldn't escape the relentless march of time, succumbing to something called fate.The plane glided over Lanslen, and I gazed at the iconic landmarks, as if our silhouettes still lingered there, casting remnants of shadows.I averted my gaze but couldn't hold back my tears. We
My Simple Bliss, Our Separate Ways Chapter 11
The international director's film suddenly lost its funding, and production came to an abrupt halt. Feeling helpless, I returned home.With no upcoming projects, I ended up spending my days leisurely in the villa that Luke had bought earlier that year. I occupied my time by reading books and contemplating my situation.Luke had joked when he bought the villa, saying that it would be our little getaway in the future. Inside the cottage, we had created countless memories together. We had chosen plants and decorative paintings as a couple, and there was even a Ragdoll cat we had bought together. It would stand on the balcony, meowing away, and Luke would playfully call it our "second princess.""Of course, you're the first princess, my forever little princess," he would tease.During those days, I had naively believed that he could withstand the pressure from his family.After three days of being at home, Luke finally sensed that something was amiss. After some inquiries, he found ou
My Simple Bliss, Our Separate Ways Chapter 10
Beautiful fantasies will eventually shatter, and the illusion of happiness can suddenly come to an end, so swiftly that you can't even anticipate it.My relationship with Luke had lasted for a very long time, so long that even Max found it surprising. He once privately told me that Luke had had women before, but it was all casual and short-lived, at most just a month. Luke had a strong appetite for novelty."You, my dear, are like an endlessly fascinating toy."I didn't think comparing myself to a toy was quite appropriate, but in their eyes, even though I had become a big celebrity, I was still a disposable plaything. I didn't bother trying to correct Max, at least he was the only person in Luke’s social circle I could get along with.During that period, a renowned international movie director approached me to star in a movie centered around love. With an ensemble cast of international stars and a production team boasting Oscar accolades, speculation about this film had already ig
