LOGINWhen we step into the theater, it’s dim but not crowded, that perfect in-between where it feels like the world has stepped aside just for us. Adrian gestures toward the center.“I picked the best seats,” he says quietly. “Middle row, dead center. You get the perfect view with no neck strain.”“Look
He smiles, eyes on the road. “You’ll see.”I narrow my eyes. “I don’t really like surprises.”“That’s unfortunate,” he chuckles. “Because I like giving them.”“I don’t have that kind of patience,” I warn.He laughs, the sound warm and easy. “I’ve noticed and I find that so cute.”I look down, using
Adrian arrives exactly on time.I know this because I’ve checked the clock three times already, pacing from the living room to the hallway and back again like I’m waiting for an exam result instead of a date. When his car finally pulls up outside, headlights briefly washing over the front of my hous
A soft chuckle escapes me. “Well… technically, we’ve only been on one date, but we talk every day, and he told me he wants to build something more with me.”The sadness and despair on her face vanish, replaced by a huge smile that lights her up.“Please tell me you’re not lying, just so I can finall
The picture shows my back, with Noah’s hand resting on my lower spine. It was probably taken while I was admiring the necklace, but what I don’t remember is his hand being there at all.Was I so absorbed that I didn’t even notice where he’d placed it?“So,” Mom says sharply, her eyes burning with an
“I don’t think I heard you right,” Mom says, staring at me like I should be booking a psychiatry appointment. “There must be a mistake.”I get her. I really do. Noah is the last person anyone would ever imagine I’d have a child with, yet here we are and the proof is the very obvious baby bump stretc
Before I can react, a warm hand lands at the small of my back. “Watch it,” Noah mutters, his voice low and edged with quiet warning as he pulls me half a step closer, away from the crowd. The contact is barely a second. A single point of heat. But my breath stutters. He doesn’t even look at me, j
I send the email to Benji, hoping they’ll be able to fix the mess Jocelyn made. Once again, she butchered my report because she's convinced I lack the skills and that her assessment was somehow superior. At this point, I’ve stopped believing it’s a mistake. I know exactly what she’s doing.She’s try
We stand at the door and wave as the car drives away. The moment the taillights disappear, the air in the house changes. It’s like someone lets go of a held breath. I exhale slowly and so does Noah.“That was…” I start, then stop. “Unexpected.”“That’s one word for it,” he mutters.I can’t tell if h
I held on until I couldn’t anymore. Until the memories hurt more than they healed. Until surviving required letting him go.He’s still standing where I once stood. Still holding on. Still grieving... and somehow, knowing that, seeing it, makes my heart burn and soften at the same time.I take a smal







