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FIGHTING FOR ME.
publish date:
2026-07-04 23:31:01
TheauthoroliviaCheck out for the next chapter
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Too late to want me back. TOO LATE?
Amelia's POVThe gala ended long after midnight.By the time Lucas and I stepped outside, the cool night air felt like a welcome escape from the crowded ballroom.I slipped off my heels the moment we reached the steps.Lucas laughed."I was wondering how long you'd last.""My feet surrendered an hour ago.""You hid it well.""I've had years of practice pretending everything's fine."The joke left my lips before I realized what I'd said.Lucas looked at me for a moment.Then he smiled gently."I think you're finally learning that you don't have to."We walked toward the parking lot in comfortable silence.Behind us, guests lingered outside the hotel, chatting beneath the warm glow of the entrance lights.Several photographers still waited near the front doors, hoping to capture influential guests leaving.I tried not to pay attention.Tonight wasn't about them.Tonight was about the woman I'd found again.---Lucas unlocked the car but didn't open the door immediately.Instead, he lean
Too late to want me back. THE DANCE
Amelia's POVI had just finished speaking with the owner of a local art gallery when the orchestra changed songs.The lively music faded into a slow, elegant melody.Couples drifted toward the dance floor, smiling as they slipped into each other's arms.I watched them quietly.There was something beautiful about people choosing each other.Not because they had to. Because they wanted to."Enjoying yourself?"Lucas appeared beside me, handing me another glass of sparkling water."I am.""You've barely stopped talking all night."I laughed."I've never talked this much in one evening.""I noticed."He glanced around the ballroom."You've had three commission requests.""Four."I corrected with a grin."And one gallery invitation."He smiled proudly."I told you people would love your work.""I still can't believe this is happening.""You earned it."Those three words warmed my heart.You earned it. Not you got lucky. Not people feel sorry for you.I had worked hard for this.The hours o
Too late to want me back. THE GALA
I never imagined I'd be nervous about walking into a room.Not because I was afraid of people.Because I was afraid of memories.For years, every formal event had reminded me of everything I'd lost.People would ask the same questions."When are you two having children?""You've put on a little weight, haven't you?""Ryan is so busy. You must miss him."I'd smile politely. Lie through my teeth.Then go home and cry. Tonight felt different.Not because the ballroom had changed.Because I had.I looked at my reflection one last time before walking downstairs.The emerald gown flowed gently around me.The necklace resting against my collarbone belonged to my late grandmother.I hadn't worn it in years.It reminded me of something she'd once said."Never let grief convince you that you no longer deserve beautiful things."Back then, I hadn't understood.Now I did.A car horn sounded outside. It was Lucas.I picked up my evening bag and headed for the front door.As I stepped outside, Luca
Too late to want me back. A NEW DRESS
Amelia's POVI stood in front of the boutique window for almost five minutes.People walked past me without paying attention.Cars rolled by.Somewhere across the street, a child laughed as he chased a balloon.Life moved on. But I couldn't make myself step inside.It wasn't because I didn't want a dress.It was because I wasn't sure I deserved one.The old Amelia would've turned around and gone home.She would've convinced herself that staying invisible was easier than risking disappointment.The new Amelia...She took a deep breath.Then pushed the glass door open.A soft chime echoed through the boutique."Welcome!"Olivia looked up from arranging a display of evening gowns.The moment she saw me, her face lit up."Amelia!"She walked over and hugged me warmly."I was hoping you'd come back."I smiled."I almost didn't.""I know."She stepped back and studied me for a moment."You look different."I laughed softly."I keep hearing that.""Because it's true."She tilted her head."B
Too late to want me back. THE INVITATION
Amelia's POVThe envelope arrived on a quiet Tuesday afternoon.It was thicker than most letters, cream-colored with elegant gold lettering embossed across the front. The paper alone looked expensive.I almost left it unopened on the kitchen counter.For weeks now, invitations had become a normal part of life.Art clubs. Community events.Small interviews I politely declined.People suddenly wanted to know the woman behind After Winter.It still felt surreal.I picked up the envelope and noticed a familiar logo.The St. Claire Foundation Annual Charity Gala.My brows furrowed."What now?"I slid my finger beneath the seal and unfolded the letter.The first line made me freeze.«Dear Ms. Amelia Carter,»«Following the overwhelming response to your artwork at the Riverside Charity Exhibition, we would be honored to have you attend this year's St. Claire Foundation Charity Gala as one of our featured guest artists.»I read it again. Then a third time.Featured... artist? Not a guest. Not
Too late to want me back. A PIECE OF THE PAST
Amelia's POV"Don't ask questions."I looked up from my coffee.Lucas stood in my kitchen, holding a paper bag in one hand and my car keys in the other.I narrowed my eyes."Why do you have my keys?"He smiled innocently."I borrowed them.""You stole them.""I prefer 'borrowed without permission.'"I couldn't help laughing."You're impossible.""So I've been told."He set the paper bag on the counter and slid it toward me."Breakfast."I peeked inside. A warm croissant, fresh fruit.And my favorite vanilla latte."You remembered.""I remember everything."The words slipped out naturally. Lucas had always remembered the little things.My favorite color. The books I loved.The songs I used to sing while drawing.The way I hated raisins in pastries.It made me wonder how many pieces of myself I'd forgotten over the years."Eat," he said."We're leaving in twenty minutes.""Where?"He grinned."I told you.""No questions."---An hour later, we were driving out of the city.The buildings
Too late to want me back. THE WOMAN IN THE PHOTOGRAPH
I stared at the photograph until the screen blurred. I stared at Ryan and the woman in the restaurant together. The smile on his face—I couldn't remember the last time he smiled like that at me. My fingers trembled so badly that I almost dropped my phone. Beside me, Ryan slept peacefully, a
Too late to want me back. A FACE FROM THE PAST
For a moment, neither of us spoke. The city noise faded into the background. It seemed like people walking past me suddenly disappeared. I can't describe how I felt; I felt ashamed and hopeful at the same time.All I could see was Lucas Bennett standing in front of me. Ten whole years had passed si
Too late to want me back. THE BILL I COULDN'T PAY
Amelia's POVThe number on the paper refused to change no matter how many times I blinked: $48,732. I held the hospital bill tightly. Forty-eight thousand, seven hundred and thirty-two dollars. It didn't seem real to me yet. Maybe it's a mistake, or maybe someone had accidentally added extra
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