Aurora Love, No Return

When the elevator jolted, a sickening lurch, and the first person my boyfriend shielded was his assistant.
Meanwhile, I, his actual girlfriend, was left to crumple in the corner, my arm fractured and forgotten.
And in that single, clarifying moment, I knew. Whatever love I had for him was gone.
On my phone screen, a cloyingly sweet post from Lilas Instagram feed glowed back at me:
Life is only whole when youre in it.
I felt nothing. I calmly liked the post and left a comment:
His left jawline is sharper. Try that angle next time.
Then, I opened the documentary about the Northern Lights Id been meaning to watch for ages and finished it alone.
It wasnt until I was about to sleep that I noticed the fifty-plus missed calls on my phone. A text from him followed.
Lilas young, shes just dramatic. Dont let it get to you. Ill be back tomorrow, and well do a proper birthday celebration.
I didnt reply.
My mind was filled with the dancing auroras from the film, and a single thought crystallized with perfect clarity.
Go chase the light. Dont stay trapped here anymore.

The next day, Ethan never showed.
It was exactly what I expected. I felt no disappointment.
Instead, the first thing I did when I got to the office was hand in my resignation letter.
Then I booked a flight to Iceland, departing in ten days.
Ive always been swift and decisive in everything I do.
It was only in love that Id allowed myself to be dragged down, indecisive and weak.
In ten days, it would have been my five-year anniversary with Ethan.
A fitting end to it all. A clean break.
On the third night, Ethan stumbled through the door, smelling of whiskey.
He stood by the entrance for a long moment, clutching his coat.
He was waiting for me to rush over, to take his jacket and fetch his slippers like I always did.
But I didn't move. He found me curled up on the sofa, planning my trip. He shook his head and chuckled.
Still mad at me? Is that why youve been giving me the silent treatment?
He loosened his tie, his voice laced with an easy arrogance. Alright, Im home now. My heads killing me. Go make me some of that porridge.
He entertained clients often and refused to take anything to protect his liver.
I had once gone out of my way to get a special recipe for a stomach-soothing porridge.
Every time he came home drunk, a warm bowl would be waiting for him.
I was trying to decide on the third stop of my itinerary and answered without looking up.
There are hangover pills in the nightstand. Take one if you feel sick.
The living room fell silent. I belatedly looked up.
Ethans face had hardened.
Sloane, theres a limit to this childish behavior.
Lila is all alone in this city. She has no one to look after her but me.
Cant you be a little more generous? Are you really going to be jealous of a kid?
He seemed to have forgotten that Lila, his kid, was only four years younger than me.
I raised my bandaged arm.
Its not me being childish. Its the fractured arm. I cant cook. But if youre really craving that porridge, why not invite Lila over? I can walk her through the recipe.
He froze.
In the past, the mere mention of her name would make me lose control. Now, I was calmly suggesting she come cook for him.
Is your arm okay?
His tone softened. Lila was feeling unwell that day. She said she has severe claustrophobia, so I wanted to get her to the hospital first, then I was going to come back for you
His voice trailed off as he met my gaze.
Lila just had claustrophobia. She would have been fine once she was out of the elevator.
As for him coming back, it sounded like a pathetic joke.
He coughed to cover his embarrassment and produced a takeout container.
I remembered you love truffle risotto. I brought this specially for you.
Doctors orders. I have to avoid mushrooms. Theyre bad for the healing process.
Rejected again and again, the man who had always held the upper hand in our relationship finally lost his patience.
Unbelievable. Youre impossible!
He slammed the container into the trash can and stormed into the bathroom.
His phone buzzed on the coffee table. I picked it up without thinking.
The screen lit up with a notification. It was a message from Lila. OMG, the bosss treat is the best! That risotto was heavenly. Soooo good!
Another message followed. To show my eternal gratitude, Ill cook you a feast fit for a king sometime soon!
I glanced at the risotto container sitting in the trash and couldnt help but let out a small, bitter laugh.
The next morning, I was up early, putting on my makeup, ready to go out.
Ethan woke up. Where are you going on a weekend?
Company retreat.
I paused at the door. Oh, by the way, if Lila is moving in, you should probably buy some new condoms. The ones in the drawer were expired. I threw them all out.
Without a backward glance, I walked out and pressed the elevator button.
The architecture firm where I worked was male-dominated, a fact that had always bothered Ethan.
For five years, he had constantly urged me to quit.
To put his mind at ease, I had cut off nearly all social contact outside of work.
Id never once attended a team-building event, not even the annual holiday party.
Over time, I became the unapproachable loner in the eyes of my colleagues.
Since I was leaving anyway, I made an exception and joined the three-day retreat.
As I finally let myself relax, playing games, barbecuing, and chatting with everyone, I realized how friendly they all were.
When I mentioned my travel plans for Iceland, Carla, a senior designer, gently patted my shoulder.
A young woman like you should be out seeing the world. Dont keep yourself caged in.
I clutched my cup of juice, my fingertips suddenly cold.
Youre right. Im only just realizing how many sights Ive missed all these years.
For a relationship with no future, I had nearly missed out on the entire world.
During the retreat, Ethans messages were relentless:
Are you having fun? Who are you with?
Where are you staying tonight? Do you want me to come keep you company?
When are you coming back? Should I pick you up?
Why arent you answering me?
My phone screen lit up again and again inside my backpack.
I remembered how, in the past, I would proactively share my entire itinerary whenever I traveled for work, terrified he might misunderstand something.
But when I needed the same sense of security from him, he would always say:
Everyone needs their own space, Sloane. You cant make me your entire life.
I got home late. To my surprise, Ethan was waiting in the living room.
So, you finally decided to grace me with your presence? he said, his voice sharp.
I dropped my luggage, exhausted. There was an accident on the road. We were delayed.
He shot up from the sofa. Im asking why you ignored my messages for three days! Have you decided to start playing the silent treatment game now?
It hit me then. It wasnt that he didnt understand how much that kind of coldness could hurt someone.
It was just that for all these years, he had been the one using it on me, watching me toss and turn at night, only to finally accept my timid apologies.
I was just busy with the retreat. I didnt have time to reply, I answered calmly. You, of all people, should understand. After all, it was always your excuse.
I turned and went into the bathroom.
When I came out, the living room lights were dimmed, and red wine swirled in two glasses on the table.
The documentary youve been wanting to see, he said, his tone much softer. Ill watch it with you tonight.
I shook my head, overcome with weariness. I already watched it. On my birthday.
Without a second glance at his frozen expression, I walked into the bedroom and locked the door.
In the middle of the night, I was startled awake by the violent slam of the front door.
The next morning, Ethan was gone.
As soon as I got to the office, Carla came over with a smile.
Sloane, about that Iceland trip you mentioned my nephew happens to be going in a few days too. You two might be able to look out for each other on the road.
Her enthusiasm made me hesitate, but she quickly convinced me.
Hes a professional travel blogger. Hes amazing at planning itineraries. With him as a guide, youll have a much easier time.
She clapped my shoulder cheerfully. Its settled, then! Ill have him add you on social media.
My initial reluctance faded.
Truthfully, planning a long-distance trip by myself was stressful. I hadnt traveled for years, and a flicker of anxiety mingled with my excitement.
That afternoon, I took time off to attend my universitys alumni day.
In front of the administration building, a group of students was taking photos.
A man in a sharp suit and a girl with a radiant smile on his arm stood out from the crowd.
Kiss her! This is for the campus couples feature! someone shouted.
Amid the catcalls, the girl blushed and stood on her toes.
The sunlight cast a golden halo around them, a picture-perfect scene from a teen movie.
Isnt that Ethan Vance? He was the big man on campus back in our day. Still has it, I guess, an old classmate next to me remarked.
The comment made Ethan turn his head.
The moment our eyes met, a flash of panic crossed his face.
He instinctively started to walk towards me, but Lila tightened her grip on his arm.
She whispered something to him, and he stopped.
My phone vibrated. A message from Ethan.
Dont misunderstand. I was just helping a student with a photo shoot.
I didnt reply. I followed the others into a familiar teahouse.
As we chatted, my old classmates asked how I was doing. I held my teacup and replied softly:
Single.
Someone immediately jumped in.
You should take a page from Ethans book. Find someone young and lively. Look how perfect he and his little girlfriend are together.
I smiled. Yes. They do make a beautiful couple.
As the words left my lips, I saw Ethan standing right behind me. His face was dark. I had no idea how long hed been listening.
We need to talk, he said, his voice clipped.
I found it almost laughable.
In five years, he had never once publicly acknowledged our relationship.
I remember once, for his firm's annual gala, Id dressed up to surprise him. In front of everyone, he introduced me as just a friend from college.
And now that I was finally playing by his rules and drawing a line, he couldnt handle it?
Is there something you need, Ethan? This is a class reunion. I dont think this is the right place.
He opened his mouth to say something else, but Lilas bright voice cut through from the doorway.
Ethan! Everyones waiting for you!
He gave me one last, deep look before she pulled him away.
After the alumni events ended, I was saying goodbye to my classmates at the gate when a familiar car pulled up silently beside me.
The window rolled down, revealing Ethans tense profile, cold and hard in the evening light.
Get in.
Exhausted from the long day, I didnt want to argue on the street. I quietly opened the door and got in.
The air in the car was thick with unspoken tension.
Before, I would have desperately tried to fill the silence, and he would have cut me off with a frown.
Sloane, can you just be quiet for a minute?
This time, I took out my phone and calmly scrolled through the fresh couple photos of him and Lila on the campus forum.
Suddenly, the car screeched to a halt.
Before I could react, he was leaning over me, his hand clamping down on the back of my neck.
We had been together for five years. Wed been wild in this car countless times; it had once been our favorite private space.
But now, the image of him kissing Lila in the afternoon sun flooded my mind.
I shoved him away, throwing open the door. I stumbled out and retched on the pavement, my body heaving.
My stomach spasmed, but only bitter bile came up.
Ethan stood by the car, his face shifting from ashen to ghostly white under the streetlight, a mixture of shock and hurt in his eyes.
I pulled myself up, wiping my mouth.
You see that? Thats the physical reaction I have to you now. Were over
Before I could finish, he slammed the car door and sped away, leaving me in a cloud of exhaust.
That night, Ethan, who never posted anything personal, shared an intimate photo of himself with Lila. The caption read:
Finally found the right one.
Congratulations from our mutual friends instantly flooded the comments. My phone buzzed incessantly with concerned messages.
I didnt answer any of them. I made myself some bacon fried rice and, surprisingly, had a great appetite.
Late that night, the dip of the mattress woke me.
A shadow loomed in the darkness. I almost screamed.
Dont be scared. Its me.
I let out a breath of relief, then rolled over, turning my back to him.
He flicked on the bedside lamp. The harsh light blinded me.
He leaned over me, his eyes bloodshot.
You didnt see my post? You have nothing to say?
I was exhausted and had no energy for his late-night drama.
I saw it. Congratulations.
His breath hitched. His voice suddenly dropped, laced with a hint of vulnerability.
When I used to come home late, youd always leave a light on for me Now you dont even call.
Lila and I are just its a mentor-mentee thing. If it bothers you, Ill have her transferred to another department tomorrow.
I just looked at him, feeling nothing but tired.
I once cried and begged him to care about me just a little more, and he always told me I was too clingy.
Now that I was letting go, he was tripping over himself to be attentive.
Too bad. My flight was in two days.
He was a man I no longer wanted.
And anything he had to offer, I no longer desired.
After that night, Ethan was like a different person.
He not only had Lila transferred, but he also replaced his female assistant with a man.
Every night he had a work dinner, he would proactively send me his location and photos, though I never responded.
The new, young male assistant came by the apartment to pick up a pair of shoes and told me with a cheerful grin, Maam, tomorrow is your five-year anniversary! Mr. Vance has a huge surprise planned. You have to keep your schedule free!
Five years. It was certainly a milestone that deserved a proper goodbye.
I opened the couples location-sharing app we hadnt used in ages and followed the pin to the most luxurious hotel in the city.

First, search for and download the MotoNovel app from Google. Then, open the app and use the code "308033" to read the entire book.