Julian Vance hated taking photos the most. When his company held press conferences, he forbade any reporters from bringing cameras; Married to me for three years, the photo frame on our Wedding Certificate remained empty for three years. He was naturally indifferent, wouldn't waste life in front of a lens, thinking it meaningless. Until I saw a photo of him and a girl in a Photo Booth at the mall. The girl smiled sweetly, the man's eyes were doting, snuggling together, it was the couple photo template hanging right in the center of the wall. I tore the photo down, threw it on Julian's office desk. But the man just glanced at it, lightly said: "Little girl loves to play, insisted on pulling me in." "Just a photo, worth you getting so angry?" I smiled. Turns out the joint photo I painstakingly managed three years of marriage couldn't get, was just a "game" that girl could play after acting spoiled for three minutes. I took off my wedding ring, placed it on that photo. Since so, let me disappear from his life's lens forever. ... Chapter 1 When the ring fell, Julian finally willing to look up at me. Just, his face still had no expression. "A photo, actually worth you taking off the wedding ring?" "Yes." I looked into his eyes, calmly said: "Also worth me ending a marriage." Julian's face finally showed a trace of fluctuation. "Scarlett." He looked at me: "You look like this now, not a bit like Mrs. Vance." My tears instantly surged out. "Mrs. Vance." I gritted my teeth, suppressing the stinging pain in my heart. "What kind of Mrs. Vance?" "Is it the Mrs. Vance who has been married for three years, but can't even get a photo on the marriage certificate?" Julian's face sank even more. "I said it, I don't like it." "Three years, what are you still calculating?" "Are you marrying me, or marrying a photo?" Tears burst, I looked at his face, almost suffocating. I still remember that day at City Hall, before the photographer's lens pressed down, he vomited beside me. He said he loathed taking photos, could never face the lens. He apologized to me, I chose unconditional trust and understanding. Until I saw him and that girl. They were so close, took so many versions. And my marriage with him, like that empty corner on the marriage certificate, void and absurd. So, I don't want to continue anymore. "Mr. Vance, do you say yellow looks good, or——" Office door pushed open, girl in yellow dress barged in, like a bright flower. That was Julian's assistant, Lila. Also exactly, the girl in the photo. "Madam!" Lila nervously said: "Sorry, I didn't know you were here." She timidly lowered her head, then paled when seeing the photo and ring on the table, hurriedly said: "Madam sorry, I didn't mean to pull Mr. Vance to take photos!" "I just treat him as brother, let him play a game with me..." "Why did you take off the ring, did I make you misunderstand..." I said nothing. Girl's voice started to tremble, looked at Julian with teary eyes. "Scarlett." Julian's voice cold: "Apologize to Lila." I simply couldn't believe what I heard. "Apologize?" I sneered: "Based on what?" "Based on your random suspicion, hurt the little girl." My heart felt like dipped into a pool of ice water. Seeing I refused to bow, Julian lost patience, just moved his gaze, gently said to Lila: "Don't fear, that's not a wedding ring." "It's one I casually found, if you like, take it to play." Lila looked at that brilliant diamond, cheered, hugged him. "Thank you Mr. Vance!" She joyfully put the ring on her own hand. I turned and left, no more lingering. "Scarlett." He called me again. "I will order a new ring tonight..." "Bang", I slammed the door hard. Then rushed into the restroom, vomited dark heaven dark earth. I muddled went back home, at night, Julian indeed sent someone to deliver a new ring. Diamond bigger, also more expensive. But I didn't look, threw directly into trash can. I fell on the bedroom bed, lost mind looking at phone screen, until swiped a familiar picture. It was the wedding ring I threw away today. Now wearing on another girl's finger. "New ring from boyfriend, love it!" My heart beat like drum, clicked that avatar. Then, I saw endless photos at a glance. That was Lila's social account. Every day, she would post a post. Every post, was full eighteen photos. And every one, had him. My husband, Julian Vance. Lila actually never took photos of Julian's full face. Only parts about him. When sick, his hand feeding her medicine spoon by spoon; At New Year fireworks show, his back under the sky full of brilliance; Between birthday cake candlelight, his deep affectionate doting eyes gazing at her. Her photography skill actually very ordinary. But Julian was willing to appear under her lens. He told me, because of illegitimate child identity, his childhood was spent in endless bullying and humiliation. Every bullying, they would aim at his body full of scars, take photos. So, he suffered psychological illness, henceforth hated all lenses. I heartache his experience, for him, even gave up my photographer career after marriage. But just short three years, he broke the rule for a girl. He appeared in Lila's lens, calm, and eyes full of love. "Madam, Mr. Vance drank too much tonight, my home is closer, so brought him back to take care first." A message suddenly popped up, sent by Lila using Julian's phone. "I send a few photos to report to you oh." Another photo. And, it was a Live Photo. Julian lay on the sofa, eyes blurry. Picture moved, was Lila pulled by his hand, whole person tightly pressed on Julian. Screen black, Lila withdrew the message. "Sorry Mrs. Vance, Mr. Vance just drank too much and slipped hand, nothing happened between us!" Lila's proud voice message followed closely, my heart seemed numb. I just remembered wedding night, also Julian drank too much, I picked up phone, smiling wanted to sneak a photo of him. But was fiercely choked by him, suddenly pressed into sofa. I will never forget in his eyes, that instant alertness and disgust. And tonight in that photo, his deep obsession. I wiped dry tears, turned on computer, sent an email. I don't want to stay here anymore. Chapter 2 Overnight passed, Julian returned to the villa. Bringing Lila. "Drank too much last night, stayed at Lila's for a night——" "Mm, knew." He calmly explained to me, I also calmly interrupted him. Julian looked at me stunned a bit, brows dyed with some indescribable irritability. But soon recovered that cold look: "Good no misunderstanding." "I bring Lila today, have matter need your help." "Lila wants to hold a photography exhibition, weren't you a photographer before, guide her a bit." My fingers instantly pinched into palm, painful to unable breath. I gave up photography career for him, and now, he wants to hold photography exhibition for another woman. "I stopped being a photographer long ago, can't teach her anything." I coldly dropped a sentence, turned to leave. "Madam, wait!" Lila chased up pulled me, put a stack of photos in my hand: "I sincerely want to learn from you!" I looked down, looking at photos in hand. Top one, was Julian pressing on her, a bed photo. She leaned close to me, that innocent look on face faded, voice full of provocation: "Mrs. Vance, those who know to let go themselves, are smart people." She forcefully stuffed photos into my hand, I pain pushed, she actually suddenly fell backward—— "Lila!" Julian instantly rushed over, caught Lila falling down few stairs. Then stood up, directly gave me a slap! "Scarlett, your mind indeed vicious!" He still wanted to scold me, but paused when seeing my dead water like eyes. Lila in arms let out a painful cry, he immediately carried her away. I self-mockingly smiled, let go hand, let a palm of fresh blood flow down. Just now inside that stack of photos, Lila sandwiched razor blades. But I didn't want to pursue these anymore. Ringtone rang, I answered that long-awaited call. "Scarlett, you sure?" Opposite came surprised voice. And I gave an incomparable affirmative answer. "Good, I said before, as long as you willing to come back, team forever has your place." I laughed, hung up phone. Yes ah. Come back. I indeed, should return to my original place. Not long after phone hung up, Julian's message also sent over. "Lila sprained ankle, you have time come hospital look, conveniently boil her a Bone Broth." "She taste light, you note put less salt, oil stars also skim clean, also don't add scallion." Turns out Julian's memory, can also be so good. Me and him married three years, three birthday cakes he sent me, every one added mango. And I am allergic to mango. First year, he said too busy, hugged me apologized, on spot cooked a new cake for me. Second year, he said forgot note, let cake shop immediately send a new one home. Third year, he said what big fuss, tell assistant, change not fine? Now, I finally understood. Actually what I want to change is not cake, but this unsuitable person. Next day, I sent the drafted divorce agreement to him. His call immediately came, let me stop making trouble. I said I didn't make trouble, I am voluntary. "Voluntary?" Julian's voice indifferent and carrying sarcasm: "Back then how you low three down four in front of my mom to marry me, you forgot?" My pupil shrank. When with Julian, Mother Vance not satisfied with me. She felt my background not worthy her son, at family banquet let me take photos for her dog. She said, I only worthy be photographer for dog. That time I for not let Julian embarrassed, active admitted, picked up camera. Was Julian pulled my hand, on spot left family banquet, told his mother, I am the partner he decided to spend life with. That time he for be with me, even cut ties with mother words could say out. But now, he use such thing to humiliate me. He said, was me deliberately planned to marry him, be this Mrs. Vance. Endless silence spread between me and him, he seemed also remembered something, uncomfortable coughed once. "Anyway, you don't make trouble anymore." I powerless dropped hand, just want think other way, heard him say: "Next week Lila want open photography exhibition, she first time do this thing, inevitable nervous, you that time join together, let her feel safe." My chest tight, just want refuse, again interrupted by him: "Scarlett, I advise you this time don't move those crooked thoughts." "Go, I then consider sit down with you talk feelings matter." Like charity, he still that high above. And I long sighed, to clear face to face with him, thoroughly cut off, could only attend exhibition as promised. But what I didn't expect was, Julian, far more cruel than I imagined. From moment stepping into exhibition, my whole body blood cold through. All photography works displayed in corridor, every one, every piece—— All were my works! And on stage, Lila smiled bright moving, pointing at a photo beside said: "This 'Grassland Under Morning Light' is my recent shot, most special work..." That photo, was photo I took risking life on African battlefield three years ago. I rushed on stage, fiercely slapped Lila, shouted: "You just said, who took this photo?" Just asked this sentence, I was taken away by few bodyguards swarming up. They immediately covered my mouth, explained to audience, I was a mental patient broke into venue, then escorted me to backstage. I desperate struggle, until saw Julian figure. "Julian Vance." Tape on mouth torn off, my voice trembling: "Those are all my photos." "You stole my photos, gave to Lila!" Julian seemed stung by my question. He frowned, unhappy and contemptuous: "Stole?" "You stopped being photographer long ago, those photos also never published, give to Lila what wrong?" "She want stand firm in photography circle, must have works rely on." I fell into ice cellar. "Then me?" I hissed ask: "My heart blood, based on what use to pave road for her?" Julian eyes deep, said: "I will compensate you." "Madam, I beg you, just this once, help me!" Lila crying ran into backstage, kneeled at my feet: "I really like taking photos, you just fulfill my greed this once!" Seeing her kneel, Julian's eyes immediately full of heartache. He hugged Lila into arms, then gave bodyguard a wink. I could no longer bear, used all strength want break free control, but pushed by a bodyguard, heavy fell down stairs. Lower abdomen hit ground, instant burst a burst severe pain. I dazed looking at blood spreading under body, met Julian suddenly panic eyes. Then, I exhausted fainted. Chapter 3 Wake again, I learned news of miscarriage. One month plus child, child I hoped for three years, just silently left like this. Julian sat by my bed, rare brought few points guilt. He said, child will have again, this time just an accident. He also said, if I really care photos so much, wait I well, go take wedding photos with me. And I looked at ceiling slowly laughed out sound. Julian face change. "What you laughing?" "I laugh this child went really timely." I ignored his gloomy scary face, word by word said: "I don't want compensation." "I want divorce with you." Julian angrily stood up, heavy slammed ward door. Three days later, a signed divorce agreement sent to my bed. I looked at agreement, mouth corner hooked a relief smile. Julian never came see me again, until day I left. Car carrying me didn't drive to airport, but drove to a abandoned factory in suburb. Lila proudly looked at tied me, hand waved, dozen eyes shining men immediately surrounded me. And she raised camera, put on stand aside. "Madam, aren't you like taking photos, then take enough at once." "You rest assured, video so long, I will help you pick few 'Good Looking' photos post online." Clothes torn open, I despair looked at men surrounding up, but couldn't break free. And Lila answered a phone, then heart full joy left here. Beside trampled broken phone screen lit up, on it was message Julian just sent. "Little girl also want take wedding photos, today I go with her first." "Yours, next time compensate." Blood taste spread in mouth, I looked at those few words, I silently laughed. Won't have next time. Julian Vance, we forever also have no next time. In wedding dress shop, Julian held phone, brows slightly frowned. Message sent out two hours, Scarlett didn't respond a sentence. This completely didn't fit her habit. He inexplicably some restless, even when Lila came out wearing wedding dress, only perfunctory praised few words. Distracted waiting message, a set of large scale private photos suddenly topped hot search. Moment click in, Julian pupil sudden shrank. Meanwhile, secretary phone called in. "Mr. Vance, bad!" Phone other end, secretary voice like thunder explode in his ear: "Suburb abandoned factory suddenly explode, already burned two hours!" "Madam, Madam seem inside——" Julian suddenly stood up. "What you say?" "Scarlett not good good at home, how possible go what suburb factory!" His voice higher and higher, secretary other end sweat flow back, could only explain slowly to him: "Villa butler called, said Madam went out morning, always didn't come back." "And, butler said car Madam sat, and factory explosion scene that car plate, exactly same..." "Impossible." Julian fast interrupt him: "She absolutely won't go that kind place alone, you guys saw wrong." "But..." "Enough." Julian more irritable: "Later nothing out of nothing things don't report over, my time very precious, no time talk these with you." He put down phone, heart beat like drum. Explosion? Scarlett? He sneered. How possible. "Mr. Vance, this one, how is it?" Lila walked out surrounded by clerks, wearing a gorgeous wedding dress, smile like flower. And Julian gaze always on screen news message, long time not lift head. "Mr. Vance——" Lila unhappy pout, directly sat beside Julian hooked his hand. Julian suddenly avoided, then stunned seeing wedding dress on Lila. "Iris..." He remembered, that was Scarlett favorite flower. On her wedding with him, she also wore a wedding dress embroidered full of Iris. That burst float in heart more clear, he suddenly lost all interest, turned notify subordinate immediately go home. Lila face white, hurry pull his hand said: "Mr. Vance, didn't you agree accompany me try wedding dress all day, then take photos?" "You try yourself." Julian threw off her hand: "We again not couple, take what wedding photos." Message sent to Scarlett, was he intentional. He didn't want take wedding photos with Lila, he just because that divorce agreement, want stimulate Scarlett. But she now... Julian sat in car call one after another, all stone sink ocean. He again start send her message. "I wait you in villa tonight, have words say to you." "Anger disappear almost then go home, me and Lila matter, I will solve well." "Divorce agreement void, Scarlett, you don't think leave me." "I didn't take photos with her, just now was lie you." "Scarlett, reply my message." Sentence after sentence, to end, Julian even apologized to her in message. But still, didn't get any reply. "Where is Madam?" Once back villa, Julian walked towards bedroom. "Madam went out morning, now haven't return..." Servant fear gall tremble follow Julian behind, until he open bedroom, stop at door. Things belong Scarlett, all disappeared. Clothes, jewelry, everything related her daily use, like evaporated, didn't leave half trace. Julian heart beat faster and faster, turn question servant: "Went where? Why not report to me?" He whole body air pressure extremely low, servant dare not breathe loud, can only small voice explain: "Madam only said go out relax, didn't say want take, also not let us follow..." Relax. A person want go out relax, will take so many things? Julian inexplicably felt a burst fear, as if something like quicksand constant flow from his fingertip, and he already no way redeem. "Go check surveillance." Actually until previous second, he didn't believe secretary words. But when surveillance pulled out, that car carrying Scarlett plate number appear in front his eyes, that car all way drive to suburb, disappear at a hidden fork road—— His hand finally trembled. "Impossible, impossible..." "Go check this car whereabout, now check for me!" Beside subordinate face difficult. This car just at that factory, already bombed face unrecognizable. But Julian not believe. He eyes red, start like headless fly call people. Until secretary another call ring. "Mr. Vance, you better come scene look." Secretary voice bitter: "Just now rescue team found a bracelet at scene, engraved on it, is you and Madam name——" Night deep like ink. Julian dazed looking at bracelet in bag, face pale. That is Scarlett bracelet. Is gift he gave her on third day of wedding. That perfect Aquamarine on it, world only one, unique. He won't recognize wrong. But he also won't believe. "Body?" He voice low hoarse: "No identification, then is fake." "Mr. Vance, explosion too strong, fire also burned too long, rescue team said, even if can find human tissue, probably also all carbonized, can't do identification——" "Then she didn't die!" Julian like crazy, ignore image grabbed secretary hand: "Find for me! Find now!" How could Scarlett die? He looked at factory almost razed to ground, in a mess painfully kneeled down. His mind suddenly flashed eyes Scarlett looked at him when fell in love. So bright gentle, as if world only left him one person. But don't know when start, eyes she look him, gradually dim down. Until she found Lila. He again thought in ward, she smiled so decisive, told him, that child went good. That time, in her eyes, already completely no his shadow. A burst piercing cold come, he stumble stand up walk out, said want personal find Scarlett. "Mr. Vance!" A familiar voice ring, actually is Lila. She grab Julian hand, look surrounding tragedy, eyes flash a trace panic, but still force smile: "You don't rush, a bracelet only, Madam maybe just bet anger with you." "You first go back my place rest a bit, tomorrow find also——" "Roll!" Always indulge dote him Julian first time suddenly push away her hand, head not back left here. And Lila look surrounding scene, eyes full unwilling, but soon drowned by unease. She just let them take Scarlett photos, she simply didn't want kill person ah! If let Julian know, is she planned Kidnapping—— She thought just now Julian eyes, instant shiver, start panic no choose road want clear self. But person more panic, more easy make mistake. That day drive this car owner info soon found, and in his call record, impressively appear Lila name. "Is her, is she let me do!" Basement, kidnapper fear point Lila, latter still want argue, slapped by Julian fall on ground! That palm strength extremely heavy, Lila embarrassed lift head, vomit a mouthful blood. She incredible look Julian, that man said endless sweet words to her, promise will dote her lifetime. Julian look her, like walk fire enter demon, ask her word by word: "Lila, who you want kill?" His hand put on Lila neck, instant tighten. "I no... no want kill person!" "I just let people tie her, want give her a lesson, take few her photos." "I don't know how that factory explode——" One second before strangled alive, Lila use full strength said truth. She fall sit on ground, tears rustle down, to Julian say: "Mr. Vance, you clearly said, person you like is me, I do what all can, you forever will protect me..." Julian brain blank. He never regret like now. Those words said, things done, if late blade, slice him again again. Does he really like Lila? First meet, he just appreciate young vigor on her, just like——he first time meet Scarlett at photography exhibition. She stand before own work talk freely, so dazzling bright, like a beam light shine into his heart. She would smash all cameras for him, voluntary give up career accompany by his side; She for help his career, force herself watch those business finance she dislike, social block wine for him, everything thoughtful proper. But him? He wish come true marry her, again because her change, lost original passion. Until Lila appear, again attract his gaze. But he forgot, that kind change, start to end, all because him. To end, is he killed her! He painful squat down, emit a hoarse cry howl. "Impossible, impossible..." "She absolutely won't suicide, also absolutely won't die." "I want find her, I want find her——" He again fall into crazy, start crazy like seek my trace. And he said, actually not all wrong. I indeed didn't die there. I early made prepare, before factory explode, success break away here, fly far high. I not fool, Lila so hate me, she will do what, I not strange at all. I very early contact friend, before kidnapper she hire hijack me to factory, his people already waiting there. Lila thought those dozen men is kidnapper she find call come, but actually, those all come protect me people. I under their escort leave from another no monitor small road, conveniently blow up that waste factory, create illusion I already bury in fire sea. Of course, I do that, also for let Julian believe, I forever won't appear in his world again.
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