de a ritual of getting up, making coffee, and sitting in front of her laptop to write. It was the only thing she could control.

y'd sat for hours talking about their dreams, and the countless moments they'd shared in the quiet comfort of each other's presence. But with ti

ng her evenings with laughter and lighthearted conversation. She took up yoga, started reading books she had been meaning

had spent so many mornings together. She hesitated at the door, her heart skipping a beat as she peered inside. A part of her expected to see

ly on nights like this, when she was alone with her thoughts. She wondered if he thought about her, if he missed her

something was missing. She had worked so hard to rebuild herself, to focus on her writing, her friendsh

licity of their connection, the way he had made her feel seen in a way that few others had. She w

ne, mindlessly checking social media. It was a habit she had fallen into, a way to distract herse

to of

ung casually over his shoulder. He looked happy, his smile genuine, and Claire c

mes Darnell's photography exhibit opens

dreams were coming true, just as he had always wanted. But seeing him like this, so far removed from

in the way she needed to. She had told herself that she was moving on, that she was healing. And in many ways, she w

in the shadow of a love that had ended, waiting for something t

-

their first kiss. The air was crisp, the trees bare, and the winter sun hung low in the sky. Sh

Her heart pounded in her chest as the line rang, and for a moment, she thought

el

onths, and it sent a rush of emotions through her.

it's C

r end, and then he replied, h

aw your gallery opening online. Congratulations. It

in his voice. "It's been kind of crazy, but in

aid honestly. "I've been w

"You always had so much talent. I'm sure

story hanging in the air. Claire knew she had to say w

faltering slightly. "I've been thinking a lot about us, about

a moment, clearly tak

idn't work out between us, I learned so much. About love, about myself. And I

s admitted, his tone sincere. "I

m glad we had what we had. But I need to let go no

right. I've been holding on to a lot of guilt, thinking abo

her eyes. "I hope you find everything y

his voice filled with war

d softly before ha

ected. The weight she had been carrying for months seemed to lif

ed to the past. And now, as she sat in the park, the sun setting on the horizon