Time flew by, and soon I was at the designated beach in the Hamptons with all my equipment.

Out of old habit, I knew exactly which angles would best capture Ethan's refined, expensive aura.

No matter who he was posing with, I could make them look perfect.

With that foundation, the gazes, the embraces, and the kisses were just the icing on the cake.

The entire shoot went smoothly, each click of the shutter freezing another moment of their supposed sweet romance.

Through it all, my heart was as still as a dry well.

No ripples, no waves.

As we were wrapping up, I needed to ask them which photo they wanted me to use as the reference for the painting.

Mandy took the camera and scrolled through the pictures.

"Your photography skills are amazing, Chloe. And your attitude is so professional. It's like none of this bothers you at all."

I could hear the mockery in her voice, but what did it matter?

This was just a job.

"I'm just glad you're happy with them."

After a few minutes, Ethan and Mandy picked a photo.

"This one. Let's do this one as an oil painting."

In the picture, they were standing against the sunset, holding hands and smiling, their happiness radiating.

The brilliant colors of the evening sky made everything look so beautiful.

I subtly glanced at Ethan.

My first photo with him had also been against a sunset.

We were so shy back then, a nervous energy mixed with pure, innocent joy.

I wondered if he still had that picture.

Whatever. It didn't matter if he kept it or threw it away.

It had nothing to do with me anymore.

I packed up my gear and took an Uber home by myself.

Once this job was done and I had the money, I could finally have the surgery.

What would I forget then?

I hoped it would be Ethan.

I didn't want to feel this pain anymore.

I hoped, more than anything, that I would never think of him again.