a Hard

ehead against the cool window, watching the patchwork quilt of towns and fields shrink into oblivion. A profound sense of release wash

Not the soul-crushing kind that had plagued me for weeks, but the peaceful aftermath of a battle fought and won. For the first

ell of stale air and recycled coffee. Sunlight streamed through the windows, bathin

anticipation, a fragile h

anguages, a kaleidoscope of faces, a world away from the suffocating familiarity of my old life

I saw

was neatly combed, his dark suit impeccably tailored. He looked older, perhaps, with a few mor

is face. He strode towards me, his arms already open

. The scent of his expensive cologne, familiar and comforting, filled my nostri

o him for a moment, letting the dam break just a little, the pent-up emoti

" he murmured. "You're

wiping my eyes with the back of my hand. I

! Platinum blonde! I almost didn't recognize my little Chelsea. But I think I like it.

or a change." I looked at him, really looked at him

doing well. Very well, in fact. And I'm glad you're finally here to share

making my old hometown feel like a distant dream. The city

y looked at me, his gaze serious. "So, Chelsea

firm. "Permanent. I'm not g

it." He paused, a soft smile on his face. "I've already arranged a little something for you. A scholarship at Parsons is just the beginning. I also pulled some strings. Th

architect? It was more than I could have ever dr

more when you were growing up. Your mother... well, let's just say she had her own priorities." He sighed, a hint of regret

"It's alright, Uncl

ing out the window. "And... Holden? Any w

ldn't know, Uncle. I cut all ties. Changed my number, deleted my social medi

l around my emotions. He didn't press. "I see. Well, as long as you're alright, that's all that matters to me." He smiled, a

Holden Wolf stared blankly at his computer screen. The emails piled up, unread. The reports

ng void where her usual, almost suffocating, presence used to be. Every year, without fail, she would send him a hear

asking about his birthday. He'd dismissed her, irritated, preoccupie

question about dinner, was days old. He'd replied with a grunt. He remembered her face when Kamryn had belittled her, his own

than any argument, any fight.

arents, all smiles, champagne glasses in hand. "Early bi

t smile, at his own empty heart. The celebr

g! Don't forget our dinner tonight! My parents are so exc

k at his empty screen. No message

re profound than he had ever known. He had lost something