Chapter 2
Episode One (Part One)
[By the Time You See This Video, I’ll Be Gone]
“Make sure to film my left side more. My fans always say it looks better than my right.“}
Doris was much calmer than she had been a week ago. She admitted that when she first heard the news, she cried for days and lost six pounds in the process.
*I’ll make sure you look amazing,” she said, rubbing her eyes. “Elowen, what’s the first thing on your bucket list?“}
“I want to try the Iskala mountain trek.“&
She nodded immediately. “No problem at all. I’ll book the tickets right now. But can I ask why you want to go there?“}
I couldn’t muster a smile for the camera. “Quinn and I once promised we’d go together. Now, that’s no longer possible, but I want to see it for myself. They say it can cleanse the soul, don’t they?“>
Solene seemed distant, but it wasn’t unreachable.
After getting off the plane, the high altitude made me feel unwell. It took two days of travel to reach the base of the trek at Thalaria.}
On the way, Doris worried about my health, constantly reminding me of things to be cautious about.
I teased her with a grin, “I asked my doctor, and he said I don’t have much time left anyway, so I might as well go wherever I want.“} That made her eyes well up with tears again.
She cautiously asked, “Elowen, was your split with Mr. Ashford amicable?“}
I knew what she was gently probing for.
The truth was, my divorce from Quinn had been messy and public.
But now, facing the end, I found the courage to say, “He definitely didn’t think it was amicable. Just like everyone else, he believed I had an affair”
“So you didn’t, right?” Her eyes lit up. “I knew i wasn’t wrong about you.“}]
I nodded with a smile. “Yeah, I loved him too much to look at anyone else.“}]
Being a new blogger has its downsides, like emotional volatility. She started crying uncontrollably on camera.
Through her tears, she managed to ask, “The media accused you of cheating–how could they?”
I had to comfort her on camera.
In the end, I had to admit, “Alright, I’ll tell you. It was all a show I put on.”}
To
Episode One (Part Two)
[By the Time You See This Video, I’ll Be Gone]>
*Six months before the divorce, I was diagnosed with cancer. Back then, it was just one type. The doctor said if I cooperated with the treatment, there was hope for survival.”
“Later, I realized that doctors, as kind–hearted as they are, can sometimes stretch the truth.”
“I enlisted my childhood friend to help stage a scene, just to quickly free myself from Quinn. Despite being a corporate CEO, decisive and all, he was very stubborn when it came to me.“%
I didn’t elaborate further; those who know, know.
With a mournful expression, Doris asked, “Then why didn’t you tell him the truth about your illness?“!
The process of waiting for death is so painful and torturous–why should I drag him into this suffering with me?”
Doris suddenly mentioned, “I heard in the news recently that Mr. Ashford has a new girlfriend.”
“Really? Well, congratulations to him,” I said sincerely “He deserves better.”
I endured the discomfort in my stomach from the bumpy ride!
“I’m not acting here. When you’re facing death, nothing really bothers you anymore. I used to joke with Quinn that if he ever found someone else, I’d break his legs. But look, I let go quite easily, didn’t I?“%
Our guide suddenly announced, “We’ll rest tonight. The rest of the journey will be on foot. The whole trek spans miles, but I must war
on they will be on foot. The whole trek
you, the high altitude makes it feel much longer.“2
On the first day of the trek, our destination was Alondar Chapel.
There, we could witness the golden sunrise over the mountains.
1 suddenly feel that dragging you along on this dangerous trek for my own selfish reasons isn’t fair.”
Doris shook her head. “Elowen, I know my own body. If I can’t keep up, I won’t push myself. Besides, you planned this for months and prepared everything so well.”
Fortunately, neither of us experienced altitude sickness.
We were lucky
After spending the night at Alondar Chapel, the next day, I saw the golden sunrise over the mountains.
I mimicked the online pose, spreading my arms wide for a photo.
I shouted, “If possible, I hope you all can forget about me.”
Then, after a moment’s thought, I added, “Quinn, I came here for you, so you don’t have to.“>
Along the way, we encountered many devout pilgrims making their prayers.
We experienced hail.
The food was terrible.
And we slept on uncomfortable, basic beds.
It took three days to complete the mountain trek.
I recorded my reflections for this episode in front of the camera.
“What I didn’t tell you is that I initially planned this trip for Quinn and me. Later, I decided to come alone, thinking I might end my life here.”
Doris was so startled she grabbed my hand.
1 patted her hand and continued.
“Back then, I thought, since I couldn’t be cured, I might as well die by the lake, on the snowy mountains, or somewhere along the journey. “But then, I suddenly didn’t want to die anymore. I wanted to live well in my remaining time, so I wouldn’t have any regrets.“}
Doris then asked, “Is there anything you regret about the first episode’s journey?”
I nodded, feeling a bit anxious even thinking about it.
“My parents spoiled me, but I lied to them. I didn’t tell them about my illness. I even lied that I was shooting a new film in Solene. I’m sorry. I was wrong. I’ve been unfilial.”
