Chapter 10 · The Honeymoon Betrayal

Chapter 10

The sky was getting darker, and the city lights were just starting to come on.Northgate at night had a beauty all its own—sparkling and enchanting, nothing like the daytime.The ice sculptures shimmered with colorful lights, dazzling like a scene straight out of a fairy tale.It was beautiful.Too bad the only thing keeping me company was my own shadow.But so what?At least, the icy air and the breathtaking view were real—they were mine alone.Back at the hotel, I took a hot shower, letting the warmth chase away the lingering cold.I sprawled out on the bed, phone in hand, mindlessly scrolling.My Moments post was already blowing up with likes and comments.Some friends messaged me, surprised and curious about what was going on. My bestie sent a private DM, worried and asking if I was okay. A few mutuals just left a low-key "as long as you're happy."Michael hadn't liked or commented. Maybe he saw it, maybe he didn't, or maybe he was busy consoling Lily, who was probably acting all hurt and dramatic because of my post.I shot a quick reply to my bestie and everyone else who was worried: [I'm good, just wanted some solo time to watch the snow. I'll spill the details when I'm back.]Then I turned off the main lights, leaving only the dim bedside lamp on.Outside, Northgate was wrapped in a quiet, snow-covered night.Inside, it felt like spring.I closed my eyes, stopped trying to force myself to sleep, and just let my thoughts drift.Tomorrow, I was going to check out the ice sculptures, hit the slopes, and try every single dish the driver recommended.This trip to Northgate, which was all about pain and irony at first, I was determined to turn into a real journey to finally make peace with myself.As for Michael and Lily's "honeymoon" in Cyvera, I hope they have a "great" time.Sleep finally started to creep in.Just before I passed out, I thought to myself that when I got home, the first thing I was doing was calling a lawyer and getting the divorce started.My seven days in Northgate felt like a self-imposed exile, a drifting journey, and at the same time, a hurried attempt at healing.I threw myself into the bustle and chill of this icy world.I wandered through the Ice and Snow World, marveling at the breathtaking, crystal-clear ice sculptures glowing under colorful lights, like castles straight out of a dream.I finally worked up the courage to try skiing for the first time, tumbling again and again on the beginner slope, my whole body aching, but when I managed to wobble my way down a stretch, I felt a clumsy kind of happiness.I walked the entire length of Central Avenue, munching on a Madiel ice cream bar and watching street artists play the accordion.I ducked into cozy little shops, feasting on steaming traditional pork stew, springy grilled cold noodles, and that sweet-and-sour crispy pork that was just irresistible.I forced myself not to check my phone, not to think about Michael, ignoring all those unread messages and missed calls.Most of the time, I managed to pull it off.Only when I got back to the hotel late at night, wrapped in the warmth of the heating, and exhaustion finally hit, did those feelings I'd been pushing down occasionally surface, harp, but each time, the ache lasted a little less.Lily kept messaging me on and off, starting with fake concern, then playing the victim, and finally slipping into low-key bragging.I didn't reply to any of them, just deleted them right away, like taking out the trash that just made me uncomfortable.Michael's texts had become sparse, no more angry threats, just dry, condescending messages every other day, as if he was doing me a favor.

Chapter 10