t a sea of caps and gowns, her heart racing with a mixture of pride and nervous anticipation. This day marked the end of an era and the beginning of a new cha

ing was mi

their future was still something worth fighting for. After all, he'd promised they'd build a

red under her breath, a

herself. "This is your day, Sophia," she had said that morning over the p

er, she felt an ache growing in her chest. She needed Ethan to be t

Discove

cking against the pavement. Her heart leaped when she spotted Ethan's familiar fi

between them was undeniable. Sophia froze, her stomach twisting as she watched the woma

at it looked like. But then Ethan leaned down, his lips brushing agains

r eyes as she approached them, her legs

than? What

e pale. "Sophia! It's... i

rked, folding her a

han. Stop pretending.

it her like a freight train. This wasn't a one-time mistake. It w

. I forgave you over and over again.

avoiding hers. "You're overr

ty of his words lit a fire within her, burning t

row me away, and I let you. I let you treat me l

d on her heel and walked away, ignoring Ethan's half-hearted prote

betrayal crashing down on her. She thought of all the times she had forgiven him

ETHA

ng for a way to dispose her. Come to think of it, I

Phone C

raling thoughts. She wiped her tears and answered without l

d, her voice thi

her aunt's voice, t

y settled in Sophia's s

. She... she pass

Sophia gripped the edge of a nearby be

e true. I just talked to her. S

ry you, but the cancer spread faster than anyone expected. She wanted you

ock, her anchor through every storm. Losing her now, on the same d

down her face as she clutched her phone

r life, Sophia felt comp

mise to He

sat through the speeches and applause, her mind numb. Her best friend noticed her moody face and tried consoling

ing shifted within her. Her mother's words echoe

newfound determination. She couldn't change what had

s still here. And she owed it to herself-and to her mot

ever let anyone make her feel small or insignificant again. She would rebuild the walls

urage? Courage was something she could find.