LOGINEmily’s POV I woke up to the sound of the studio door opening and Mrs. Anderson’s voice calling my name. “Emily, what are you doing here? Did you stay overnight?”I looked to the right and left, realizing Kara was no longer there. Maybe she had left and didn’t want to wake me up.“Ah yes I…” I started, but Mrs. Anderson found a backpack under my feet and approached me.“What’s wrong Em? What happened?” Mrs. Anderson asked, her voice full of concern.I took a deep breath. “I… Mrs. Anderson, if I agree to go to Paris, when can I go there?”Mrs. Anderson looked quite confused. She didn’t think I would say that. “Actually he can prepare a ticket for you anytime, because he really hopes you can work together faster, but I need to know what’s wrong with you Em?”“I agree!” I said quickly. “I will leave soon, but please don’t say anything to my family, I beg you Mrs. Anderson. This is my dream. I just want to do it at least once in my life.”I grabbed her hand and looked into her eyes, hopi
Emily’s POVThat night I thought I couldn’t be there. I took my backpack, filled it with some of my clothes, my laptop, and the things I needed. I opened the window of my room and tied my sheets so I could go downstairs.I sent a short message to Kara. “Kara where are you? Meet me at the bar now.”I rushed away from the house, my heart ached. It felt so sad when the person I thought understood and cared about me the most turned out to be just locking me in their cage.In the bus I listened to music with my airpods, while scrolling Instagram until a message from Will was seen.“Do you have any plans for tomorrow? I want to invite you to lunch, while discussing your painting if you have time.” I ignored it. I immediately deleted the message from Will and locked my phone, staring out the window.When I arrived at the bar, I immediately found a seat near the bar, dropped my backpack underneath and ordered a drink.Not long after, Kara was heard calling me and immediately hugged me tight
Emily’s POV I sat at the dinner table, pushing my food around with my fork. The smell of Mom’s cooking usually comforted me, but tonight it felt heavy. Dad cleared his throat, looking at me with concern. “Paris? Are you sure?” he said. “Paris is too far, Emily. If you want your painting to be displayed in the gallery, I can ask for it from one of my painter friends. You don’t have to go that far, alone.” Mom nodded, passing the rice bowl to Dad. “Your father is right. Why do you have to go to Paris if you only want your painting to be the longest in the gallery? Mrs. Anderson should be able to display your paintings in her gallery. There is no need to go to Paris to do that.” I stared at my plate, holding back my emotions. I didn’t understand why they could say that to me. “I know you’re worried. But this is a big opportunity. Mrs. Anderson’s friend invited me specifically. It’s not just any gallery. It’s in Paris.” Dad set his fork down. “No, you can’t go. I’ll call my friend
Emily’s POV Kara came to my house after class, and I told her I had a surprise for her.“Okay, now tell me, Em! Don’t make me wonder,” Kara said, sitting on the edge of my bed with wide eyes.I sat across from her, trying to keep my voice steady. “Mrs. Anderson said her friend from Paris is opening his third gallery soon and… he wants me to collaborate with him.”“Wait! Are you serious? Paris?” Kara said, and I just nodded before she jumped at me and hugged me tightly.“You have to take it! You don’t have to think about anything, Em. This is your life, and I know you’ll be successful if you go out there and take this opportunity! Oh my god, I’m so happy to hear that, Em.” Kara released her hug and looked at me, her face glowing.“Alex is there too, right?” she continued. “I think this is God’s way of bringing you back to him.”I just smiled, but my stomach twisted a little. “But I don’t know if my parents will agree to this. I think Julian knows where Alex is now, and if he finds out
Emily’s POV A week had passed since I finally heard Alex’s voice. I told Kara about it the next day, and she was even more excited than I was. “He called you? After six months? Em, that means he still cares!” she had said, her voice full of hope. I decided to follow Alex on Instagram. Whether it was a stupid decision or not, Alex had no reason to contact me if he was with someone right now, unless he was a playboy.“You seem to be in a good mood today,” Mrs. Anderson said as she walked into the studio. “I can see significant progress in your painting, as well as the colors you’ve chosen.”I looked up from the canvas, brush still in hand. “Ah, you could say that. I feel more alive now, a little more alive actually, and I have to finish what I started, right?”Mrs. Anderson smiled at me, her eyes warm. “That’s wonderful to hear. You’ve been working so hard. It shows in the brushstrokes. Keep that energy, Em. It suits you.”I nodded, dipping the brush back into the paint. “I’ll try. T
Emily’s POVI walked through the front door without looking back at Julian. I didn’t say good night to Mom or Dad. I just went straight to my room, closed the door quietly, and flopped onto the bed. The ceiling stared back at me, blank and cold. Tears started falling before I could stop them. They came silently at first, then harder, soaking into my pillow. I didn’t even know what these tears were for anymore. The baby. Alex. The life I thought I could have. Everything felt lost, like pieces of myself were scattered and I didn’t know how to put them back together.I curled on my side, staring at the wall. Six months. Six months of pretending I was okay, of painting the same unfinished canvas, of carrying this secret weight. Julian didn’t understand. Mom and Dad didn’t know the full truth. And now this call… this voice I had tried so hard to forget.Knock… knock…“Emily, are you okay, honey?” Mom’s voice came through the door, soft and worried.I wiped my face quickly and sat up.
Alex’s POVI couldn’t stop thinking about what I did last night.Kissing Emily had not been part of the plan. I only went there to ask one simple question — to confirm who the baby’s father really was. That was it. Instead, I pushed her against the wall and kissed her like I had any right to.She
Emily’s POvThat night, the dorm room felt too quiet and too loud at the same time.Kara stood in front of the mirror, fixing her hair one last time. She looked beautiful in her little black dress, glowing with excitement for the party. I lay on my bed in oversized pajamas, a bag of chips on my la
Alex’s POVJulian called me saying there was an impromptu team meeting at the arena. I was already on my way when I decided to take the stairs instead of the elevator. That small choice changed everything.My footsteps slowed halfway down.Near the shadowed corner by the lower stairs, two figures
Emily’s POVThe arena was loud and electric, filled with cheers and the sharp scrape of skates on ice. Kara and I had come to watch Julian’s hockey match, armed with team scarves, banners, and even a silly foam finger I secretly hoped no one would notice. I told myself I was here for my brother.







