Chapter 7: Sunlight Through a New Window

I threw myself into my work and became more and more confident. At the end of the year, Director Chambers approached me.

She called me into her office, her eyes bright with excitement.

She said there was an opportunity to study abroad—two years in Paris. Would I be interested?

I didn’t hesitate. "Absolutely."

My heart soared. Paris—the fashion capital. My dream was finally within reach.

The fashion capital—who in design doesn’t dream of going there?

I started brushing up on my French, buying guidebooks, planning my new life.

I told my parents, and they fully supported me.

They hugged me tight, promising to visit as soon as they could.

After New Year’s, I packed my bags, ready to leave. As I was heading out, I saw Evan downstairs.

He looked thinner, pale, totally dispirited—like he’d lost his spark. For a second, I almost didn’t recognize him.

He stood on the curb, hands in his pockets, eyes downcast. I almost felt sorry for him. Almost.

"You’re going to Paris?" he asked, hoarsely, eyeing my suitcase.

His voice was rough, like he hadn’t slept in days.

"Yes."

I kept my tone neutral, refusing to give him an inch.

"Can we talk somewhere?" He looked at me pleadingly.

I glanced at my watch. I had time, but not much.

I checked the time—still early—so I nodded.

We ducked into a nearby café, the smell of coffee and pastries filling the air.

"I heard you’re getting married on May 1st—congratulations," I said as we sat in the café.

I stirred my coffee, pretending not to care.

I’d heard it from a former coworker. She said Dana was acting like the lady of the company, inviting everyone to the wedding.

The gossip had reached me, but I’d ignored it. It didn’t matter anymore.

"I’m not marrying Dana," Evan said urgently. "We’ve broken up."

His voice shook. I raised an eyebrow, unimpressed.

"Oh," I replied blandly.

I took a sip of coffee, waiting for him to continue.

"I even made her hand in her resignation. She won’t be at the company anymore."

He sounded desperate, like he wanted me to care.

"Oh."

I kept my face blank, refusing to give him the reaction he wanted.

His eyes were red—I’d never seen him look so defeated.

He looked like a man who’d lost everything. I felt nothing.

"Harper, I was wrong," he choked out, covering his face. "At first, I admired Dana—she was talented, cheerful, easy to talk to. Our conversations flowed so naturally, it felt new. I mistook that feeling for love."

He wiped his eyes, his voice barely above a whisper.

"So? I wasn’t on your wavelength, so I bored you? Sorry to have wasted your precious twenty years." I snorted. "First you say you mistook our family bond for love, now you say you mistook admiration for love. What’s next? Can you even tell what real love is?"

My words were sharp, but I didn’t care. He deserved them.

His weakness didn’t move me at all. I just felt annoyed, wanting to end things quickly.

I glanced at the clock, eager to leave.

"Since you left, I’ve missed you more and more. I don’t know what to do without you. Every day is torture. I just want to lock myself at home, because it still smells like you. After so many years, you’re part of my blood—I can’t live without you. But I was stupid, slow to realize—I lost you. I broke up with Dana, but she wouldn’t leave. After a long struggle, I finally forced her out. Only then did I come looking for you. But then I heard you were going abroad."

His confession was a mess of regret and longing. I felt nothing but relief. Not my problem anymore.

"You really didn’t know how you felt about me?" I cut him off sharply. "No, you did. I could feel it—you really did love me once, or you wouldn’t have treated me so well. But you made the classic mistake—got distracted by someone else. And you dared to cheat because you were so sure of me. You’d made me so dependent, you thought I couldn’t live without you. You were so sure I’d always be there, so you felt free to hurt me."

The truth was ugly, but I needed him to hear it.

"I’m sorry, I’m sorry…" he sobbed, apologizing over and over.

His tears meant nothing to me now.

I smiled. "At first, you were right—I thought I’d die without you. That’s why I threw away my dignity, clinging to you, letting you trample all over me. But after the car accident, I realized I didn’t want to die. I still have my parents, my future. I wasn’t willing to just give up. I’m glad I got through it—I’m doing great now. See? No one’s life depends on anyone else."

I stood up, ready to leave the past behind.

"No, I can’t live without you. Harper, please—don’t leave me."

His voice cracked, but I didn’t look back.

"Weren’t you the one who told me to go see the world? I did, and it really is beautiful out there. Turns out, you’re not that important after all. You’re still as selfish as ever. In Paris, I’ll learn what I’ve always dreamed of, enrich myself, and gain new experiences. What would I get by staying? Just going back to being your pampered pet?"

I met his eyes, daring him to argue.

"No, that’s not what I meant—" he tried to explain.

I cut him off, grabbing my suitcase.

I stood up, grabbed my suitcase. "I have a plane to catch. I won’t waste time with your drama."

I tossed a few bills on the table for coffee and walked out.

"I’ll see you off."

He followed me to the curb, but I shook my head.

"No need." I refused flatly.

I hailed a cab, tossing my bag in the backseat.

A few steps away, I heard his voice behind me.

His words floated on the wind, but I didn’t turn around.

"Harper, I’ll wait for you. No matter if it’s a year, two years, or a lifetime, I’ll wait until you come back to me."

I kept walking, the city alive around me. I didn’t look back.

I didn’t even pause.

The future was mine now. I was done living in the past.

Whether he waits or not has nothing to do with me. To me, he’s already a stranger.

He was just another chapter in my story—one I was finally ready to close.

On the way to the airport, sunlight streamed through the window, and I felt happy.

The world felt wide open, full of possibility. For the first time, I was excited for what came next.

I’ve found my passion. From now on, I’ll give it my all and become the best version of myself!

I smiled out the window, ready for whatever the world had in store.