Chapter 6

I pulled my suitcase, walking towards the main road at the village entrance without looking back.

Ryan’s gaze felt like thorns digging into my back.

But I didn’t turn around, not once. I was afraid if I did, I’d see regret in his eyes, and my heart would soften.

But my heart couldn’t afford to be soft anymore. Mia’s urn was still in my backpack; she hated the cold, and I needed to take her somewhere warm. A place without Ryan, and without blizzards.

Not long after I left, a pink Porsche pulled up to Ryan’s house. The window rolled down, and Valerie peeked out. Seeing a distraught Ryan, a flicker of glee crossed her eyes, quickly replaced by a look of concern.

“Captain Ryan, are you alright? I heard… your wife might have misunderstood us?”

She spoke softly, with just the right amount of concern.

“I couldn’t explain it to her, she was just being irrational.”

Ryan tiredly rubbed his temples, his voice filled with frustration.

A triumphant smile curled Valerie’s lips.

Then, the two of them left for the restaurant she had already arranged, while I departed the small town nestled beneath the snowy mountains.