d by the large window of her studio, staring out but seeing nothing. Her mind replayed the events of the ga

not like this-not with the shadow of

Startled, Clara turned to find her closest friend, M

a knowing smile, setting the cups on a near

ing onto a nearby sto

er expression patient. "I figur

oed in on him instead of my work. Someone even had

unfair, Clara. You'

ice. "But that doesn't change how people see it

on't think the problem is Ethan. It's how you feel about standi

y of Mia's words. "Maybe you're right.

ecide what you want and what you don't. If Et

licker of determination rise wit

r her apartment. The park had always been her sanctuary, its winding paths

his coat. Clara motioned for him to sit beside her on a weathered bench bene

g," she said, bre

voice gentle. "I was starting to

think. Ethan, I care about you more than I can put into words. But your

dded. "I've been trying to help, but m

but I need space to be myself to prove that I can stand on my o

nding. "I don't want that for you, Clara. I never have. Tel

ht my own battles. And I need you to understand that

trust you. And I don't care if you fit into my world, Clara.

elt a sense of relief. It wasn't a p

e Clara found her voice in defending her independence. They began spending more time in spaces where both felt comfortable quiet evenings i

elt natural. Ethan even started sketching in one of Clara's old notebooks,

her newest paintings, Ethan held up a page from his sketchbook. It w

le," Clara s

nning. "And that's what I want us t

her heart full. "I

ry's success should have been a moment of celebration, but instead, it felt like a crossroads. Her work had been praised, yes, bu

's influence. Clara clenched her fists, frustration boiling beneath her calm exterior. For years, she had fought for her in

Mia walked in with her usual energy, carryi

a grin, setting the treats on the workbench. She p

ara asked, tryi

o an overthinking black hole," Mia replied, p

es with Ethan. The gallery opening was supposed to be about my art, but the second he wal

yebrow. "And wh

appreciated, but it only made things wors

"Let me guess-you're wondering if th

, Mia. I really do. But being with him make

guring out how to stand your ground in a new situation. Look, you've always been stubborn and indepe

ing her friend's words. "Y

, smiling. "But noth

went when life felt too big-a quiet oasis where she could think clearly. She arrived early, sitting on a familiar

a jacket. The usual confidence he carried seemed muted, repla

, his voice wa

d, motioning for hi

of the city in the background. Finally, Clara sp

bracing himsel

her words carefully. "But when you step in to defend m

quickly. "I stepped in because I hate seeing p

than. But I need to handle those moments myself. If I do

"You're not in my shadow, Clara. If anything, you're th

n. "I don't want to lose what we have," Clara said

"Then let's figure this out together. Tell me

id, her voice firm. "And I need us to find a balance where

an do that. I don't want to hold you back

s, a small smile breaking throu

ate her own challenges, while Clara made an effort to include him in her victories. They started carvi

small, leather-bound sketchbook. "For when you n

ages, touched by the gesture. "Yo

with a grin. "But

hey weren't good-lines uneven, proportions off-but each page showed glimpses of their life togeth

r heart full. "Th

couragement," Etha

losing the sketchbook and meeting

ok, laughing and talking about their dreams. For the first time, Clara felt like they were bui