The Distance Between Us

My name is Ursula Klein. Charles and I have been in love for ten years. Of those ten years, seven were spent apart in a long-distance relationship. I studied for a medical doctorate in Country D and later stayed at a local hospital to conduct research. He started a business at home, growing it from a small studio into a well-known tech company in the industry. We maintained our relationship through screens despite an eight-hour time difference. Our monthly video calls were the moments I looked forward to the most. He would tell me about his company's trivial matters, and I would share new discoveries from my laboratory. We agreed that once his company was stable, I would return to the country. This spring, he told me everything was ready. I submitted my resignation, packed my bags, and boarded the flight back home. When I walked out of the airport gate, he was standing not far away, wearing a well-tailored suit and looking more mature and poised than he did on video. He hurriedly walked toward me and pulled me into his arms; his embrace was warm and carried a familiar scent. "Welcome home, Ursula." He whispered softly in my ear. I buried my face in his chest as tears fell uncontrollably. After ten years of waiting, we were finally no longer separated by mountains and seas. In the third week after returning home, Charles Gable proposed to me—no grand ceremony, just the two of us. He knelt on one knee on the university campus where we first met. The ring was personally designed by him, with tiny sapphires embedded in the band. "Meeting you here ten years ago was the luckiest thing that ever happened to me." "For the rest of my life, I want to be with you every day." I nodded firmly, tears choking my voice as I said, "I do." The engagement ceremony was set for one month later, personally arranged by Charles's mother. Charles's mother had always liked me very much. Even though I had been abroad for many years, she often sent me gifts. She always said that when I returned, she would wholeheartedly entrust Charles to me. Lisa Wright was Charles's secretary, and I had met her several times since returning to the country. She looked delicate but appeared very competent and efficient in her work. Charles Gable said that Lisa Wright had been working with him for several years and was a capable assistant. I had no distrust towards her and would even take the initiative to greet her. Looking back now, behind those seemingly gentle smiles lurked deadly malice. The sun was shining brightly on the day of my engagement ceremony. The venue was the most luxurious hotel in the city center, packed with guests. I wore a white dress, holding Charles Gable's arm, as I accepted everyone's blessings. At that moment, I felt like the happiest person in the world. Halfway through the ceremony, Charles Gable went to the restroom to freshen up his makeup, while I stayed behind chatting with the guests. Lisa Wright suddenly approached, her face showing a strange expression. Unlike others who offered me their blessings, she leaned close to my ear, speaking in a low voice but loud enough for several people nearby to hear clearly. "Ms. Klein, during these years abroad, you've had quite a 'colorful' life, haven't you?" I frowned, looking at her in confusion. "Lisa, what do you mean?" Lisa Wright smiled slightly, intentionally raising her voice a few notches. "It's nothing, I just heard there is a very popular female streamer on a foreign website." "She looks exactly like Ms. Klein, only her content is a bit explicit."