By the time Nora threw all the garbage bags filled with memories into the recycling bin downstairs, the setting sun had already dyed the Los Angeles skyline red.

She returned to the empty living room, poured herself a glass of ice water, sat on the carpet, and began scrolling through Instagram.

The very first post recommended on her feed was from the account with the Persian cat profile picture.

The photo showed a high-end restaurant with the stunning sunset of Malibu Beach in the background. The focus of the picture was a man's hand, meticulously cutting a steak.

The limited-edition watch on that wrist was the birthday gift Nora had given Elias last year.

The caption read: "Going round in circles, only to realize the best scenery has always been right beside me."

Seeing this photo, Nora’s fingers tightened slightly around the water glass.

So, the "important interview" was accompanying Chloe to Malibu Beach to eat steak.

That was the place they had agreed to go, yet now it had become the romantic backdrop for him and another woman.

Nora took a deep breath and tossed her phone aside. Her heart felt as though it were being squeezed by an invisible hand, making it hard to breathe. But strangely, the pain didn't last long; it was replaced by a numb sense of relief.

She got up, walked into the kitchen, and simply boiled a bowl of pasta for herself.

The clock ticked tirelessly until 1:00 AM, when Elias finally pushed the door open, carrying the faint scent of perfume.

His hands were empty; he had obviously long forgotten the red velvet cake he promised when he left that morning.

He glanced around the living room and frowned slightly. "Why does the house feel so much emptier?"

"I organized some clutter this afternoon and threw away some things we don't use," Nora replied calmly.

Elias nodded and didn't pry further. As he loosened his tie, he asked, seemingly casually, "Nora, could you write some lyrics for me? The style needs to be... that sort of regret and sweetness of a long-awaited reunion."

Chloe had just posted that update today, and now he wanted a song in that style.

The implication was self-evident.

Nora was silent for a moment before looking up at him. "I rarely write that style. But since you need it urgently, I can try."

Hearing her agree, Elias seemed a bit surprised, then revealed a relaxed smile. "I knew you understood me best. I'll email you the specific requirements."

Nora agreed softly.

She turned and walked into the study, not letting Elias see the glimmer of tears that flashed in the corner of her eye.

That night, Nora sat withered before the computer, listening to the sound of steady breathing from the next room, and typed out the final verse.

Rather than writing a song for him, she was writing a farewell letter to herself.

The next morning, before Elias left, Nora handed him the printed lyrics.

Seeing the red veins in her eyes, Elias felt a rare pang of guilt and whispered, "You've worked hard. This song is really important to me."

Nora shook her head, her voice hoarse. "It doesn't matter. I hope... she understands."

Elias paused, seemingly missing her last sentence, and hurriedly left with the lyrics.

Watching his back disappear at the elevator entrance, Nora leaned against the doorframe and whispered, "Consider it my final gift to you, Elias."

For the next few days, Elias seemed to have vanished from the face of the earth, not returning home at all. Aside from a few texts saying he was in the recording studio, there was no news.

Nora did not contact him on her own initiative. She methodically packed her luggage, booked her flight, and contacted her family in Bordeaux.

The items in the apartment grew fewer and fewer, and her heart grew lighter and lighter.

Until the night she was packing her sheet music, when she suddenly received a call from Elias's assistant.

"Nora, it's bad! Elias drank too much at the celebration party. He's making a scene. Can you come pick him up?"

Elias drank too much? In the past, when Nora wasn't around, Elias barely touched alcohol, let alone drank to excess.

Nora frowned. Although she was a hundred times unwilling, the thought that this might be the last time she saw him made her sigh.

"Send me the address."

Half an hour later, Nora pushed open the door to the private room at the exclusive club.

The sight that greeted her froze her in place.

Elias was slumped on the sofa, while Chloe was hugging his arm tightly, their faces pressed together in an incredibly intimate pose.