Chapter 7: Goodbye

Evelyn barely slept that night.

Arthur Collins' business card lay on the bedside table, and every time she closed her eyes, she saw the word London.

Was she really ready to leave everything behind?

Or was she simply running away?

The next morning, she stood on the small balcony of her apartment, watching the sunrise paint the sky in shades of orange and gold.

She rested both hands on her stomach.

"What do you think, little one?"

A gentle breeze brushed against her face.

She smiled.

"I think that's your answer."

Later that morning, Evelyn met Arthur at a quiet café.

He rose to his feet as she approached.

"I was hoping you'd come."

Evelyn took a deep breath.

"I'll accept the job."

Arthur's face broke into a warm smile.

"I promise you won't regret it."

"I have one condition."

"I'm listening."

"I don't want anyone to know where I've gone."

Arthur nodded without hesitation.

"That can be arranged."

"I want a completely fresh start."

"No connections to my past."

"No media."

"No one from the Sterling family."

Arthur looked at her thoughtfully.

"Miss Hartley..."

"Sometimes, the greatest act of courage is walking away."

"You've already taken the hardest step."

He slid a folder across the table.

"Your flight leaves on Saturday evening."

"Everything has been arranged."

Evelyn stared at the airline ticket.

Three days.

In just three days, she would leave the country forever.

Across the city...

Sophia stood inside Damian's office, admiring the breathtaking skyline through the glass walls.

She smiled to herself.

Everything was finally falling into place.

Evelyn was gone.

The Sterling Mansion felt like hers.

The company would soon be hers too.

She turned to Damian.

"My birthday is next month."

He looked up from the documents on his desk.

"So?"

She pouted.

"I thought we could celebrate with a trip to Paris."

"If you're free."

Damian signed another document without looking at her.

"Arrange it with my assistant."

Sophia's smile stiffened.

That wasn't the response she wanted.

Lately, Damian had become... distant.

He wasn't cold.

He simply seemed distracted.

She walked behind him and wrapped her arms around his shoulders.

"Are you still thinking about Evelyn?"

Damian's pen stopped moving.

"No."

"Then why do you seem so absent these days?"

"I'm busy."

Sophia narrowed her eyes.

She didn't believe him.

But she smiled anyway.

"I'll leave you to work."

As she walked out of the office, the smile disappeared from her face.

She had worked too hard to get Damian.

She wasn't about to lose him.

Not to a woman who had already signed the divorce papers.

That evening, Evelyn packed the last of her belongings.

There wasn't much.

Some clothes.

Family photographs.

Her late mother's silver bracelet.

A few books.

And a small knitted pair of baby socks she had bought after discovering she was pregnant.

She held the tiny socks against her chest.

Tears filled her eyes.

"I wish your father had been waiting for you."

She whispered the words softly.

"But you still have me."

"And I'll love you enough for both of us."

Margaret quietly entered the room.

"You've finished packing?"

Evelyn nodded.

"I've left the past behind."

Margaret walked over and hugged her tightly.

"No."

"You've left the pain behind."

"The future is waiting for you."

Evelyn closed her eyes.

For the first time since the divorce, those words didn't sound impossible.

Saturday arrived faster than she expected.

The airport bustled with travellers hurrying in every direction.

Arthur checked the departure board before turning to Evelyn.

"They've started boarding."

Margaret took Evelyn's hands, tears glistening in her eyes.

"I'll miss you every single day."

"I'll miss you too, Grandma."

"But I'll call you."

"And one day..."

She smiled through her tears.

"I'll come home and make you proud."

"You already have."

They embraced one last time.

When the final boarding announcement echoed through the terminal, Evelyn picked up her passport and carry-on bag.

She didn't look back.

Some goodbyes were easier that way.

As the plane lifted into the clouds, Evelyn looked out of the window at the city growing smaller beneath her.

The country where she had fallen in love...

The country where her heart had been broken...

Slowly disappeared from view.

She gently placed a hand over her stomach.

"We're going home."

Not to the place she had left behind.

But to the new life waiting for them.

Thousands of miles away, Damian Sterling sat alone in his office, unaware that the woman he had divorced had just left the country carrying the greatest secret of his life.

By the time fate brought them together again...

Three years would have passed.

And neither of them would be the same people they were today.