han Hayes existed in

se. They had met in college, two bright students with big dreams. He was the charming heir to a t

side. They shared pizza on the floor of her dorm room, mapping out their futures on a whiteb

her's company, and she would launch her own startup with his backing. They would build an empir

erred to their universi

everyone want to protect her. Where Ava was direct and sometimes blunt, Chloe was demure and yielding. The boys in

ns started. They we

. You should try to rel

greeable. She

independence "intimidating." She started to feel a prickle of insecurity, a quiet voice in her head won

began to e

gning and coding a custom smartwatch for him. It wasn't just a gift; it was a piece of her soul, a demonstration of her talent and her

s speech. He was thrilled, kissing her deeply and telling

hem, her eyes wide with admiratio

her voice a soft whisper. "My watch broke t

empty wrist, a pictur

at Chloe. A warm, reassuring smile. He u

it onto Chloe's slender wri

into a dull roar in her ears. She stared at the watch-h

n she found it

at did you