pte

a distant melody that refused to fade. She had spent hours trying to convince herself that it was just an empty proposal-something that wealthy CEOs threw around casually. But deep down, Valenti

tle comfort. She was used to the routine of this place, the gentle ebb and flow of daily life that never seemed to change. But lately, it felt

a corner table, a tired expression on her face as she scribbled something in a notebook. Valentine hesitated for a moment, then

softly, her voice ba

le crossing her lips. "Valentine,

across from her. She could see the exhaustion in her mother's eyes,

m. "Just trying to keep everything together, you kno

. I'm trying to figure something out, but everything feels so h

needing to say anything. "You're doing

, but the sadness lingered. "I don't know how much long

and. "You're strong, Valentine. You've always been str

t it didn't reach he

se, her phone buzzed in her pocket. It wa

tion earlier. Please let me know if you're interested in discussing

down on her. Could she really take him up on this? Was it even real? Or was it a mistake? She'd never expected someone like hi

ther asked, noticing

sper. She felt a knot tighten in her stomach. She hadn't even realize

isbelief crossing her face. "The CEO?

een in her hand. "Yeah. He's offering me a

her arms over her chest. "Why wouldn't you tak

o easy. Like I'm stepping into a world I don't belong in. And I've

art, you've worked so hard for everything you have. You've sacrificed so much. Don't le

ng into a world so different from her own, felt like a betrayal. She'd always been the responsible one-the one who stayed behind to t

d finally, putting the phone down on

eart, you don't have to do everything on your ow

y ready for a change? Could she leave behind the life she knew and step into a world so foreign to her? It was

still buzzing with the offer. She had a few more hours before she needed to make a decision, but she felt an o

the physical toll of the day, but her mind refused to rest. She tossed and turned, imagining what life could be like if she took the

phone buzzed again. Valentine picked it up, her h

on in person. Please let me know when would be a good tim

e excuses. The door was open, and it was up to her t

verything w