Chapter 5
My phone blew up with notifications like a damn avalanche.
Damien was staring at the screenshots I’d sent him, completely wrecked.
By the end of it, he slapped himself across the face.]
He never imagined I’d figure out he switched the meds.
And he sure as hell didn’t expect Bianca to forward me every flirty message they ever sent.[]
He’d promised her she could have anything she wanted-
except letting me know she existed.
But her smug little stunt lit the fuse for me to walk away.
All those sweet nothings they whispered during their affair?
Now he just found them disgusting.[
Now he
Hands shaking, he tried calling me.]]
Of course it didn’t go through.[]
I was already thirty thousand feet in the air, flying out of the country.
After a long, exhausting flight, I finally exhaled as the plane touched down.
Sunshine in your heart, no room for grief.[]
That’s what I told myself.
I was done with the past.
I came here for a fresh start, a brighter future.]
I found a temporary place to crash and threw myself into building my own design studio.
I’ve always been in fashion–won a few international awards back in college.
Right after graduation, top global brands were already reaching out with job offers.
But because Damien was part of a classified project with some government R&D lab…]
He signed a non–compete and couldn’t legally leave the country.[]
So I gave up everything–my career, my dreams–to stay and build a life with him.]
Now that I’ve walked away from Damien?
It’s my turn to shine
My turn to launch the brand I always dreamed of.
The new
Six months passed itke smoke
And then, at a major design competition, I ran into someone I hadn’t seen in years.]
Zane Cross
Back in college, we were always fighting for the number one spot in class []
This time around?]
ile placed second again–right behind me
Chapter 5
“Same old story,” he said, laughing.
“Back in school, you beat me. Now you’re still beating me.”
“I swear, you’re my eternal runner–up curse.“]
It was nice catching up after all this time.]]
After the event, we grabbed dinner to reminisce.[]
Naturally, the conversation turned to Damien.[]
“I heard what happened,” Zane said.
“Word is, Damien’s been looking for you nonstop for the last six months.”
Even Zane, someone I hadn’t spoken to in years, had heard about us.
Guess Damien pulled every string he had.[]
Back in college, we were the golden couple everyone talked about.[]
Different majors, but he showed up at my department so often, he basically became an honorary member.
I never imagined he’d be able to find Zane.
e.]
What shocked me more?]]
He was still looking for me.]]
Didn’t he end up with Bianca?]
I thought my disappearance made room for her.[]
“Look,” Zane said, “you can tell he still loves you.“[]
“Otherwise, why would he keep searching this long?”
“It’s just a shame you two didn’t make it.“]
But I didn’t feel regret.]
If anything. I felt free.
Sometimes cutting your losses is the best kind of closure.
Love can be obsessive.]
But Danden?
He was weak when it mattered]
The second he crossed that line with Bianca, our marriage was done.
Just thinking about it left a bitter taste in my mouth]
Not because of Damien himself
But because I gave up everything–for someone who didn’t deserve it
I swirled the wine in my glass and asked Zane,
“Now that the competition’s over, are you heading back to the States?“]
He nodded
“My firm’s HQ is based here, actually
1 By out a lot for work.”
“Probably gonna be back and forth for the next couple of years.
Chapter 5
I hesitated for a beat before asking.
“Do me a favor–don’t tell Damien you saw me.‘
