all internal. The beautiful, custom-made controller she had spent weeks designing was gone, likely swept up

rom her long walk in the rain. She felt sick, but it was mor

ionary, a busy entrepreneur, he didn't have time for the small sentimentalities that she cherished. She had believe

nvestors and old friends, leaving her to stand awkwardly in a corner. She had overheard two women talking about her. "Is that Noah's new girl? She seems... plain. He u

she was mildly allergic to. Her hands had broken out in an itchy rash, but she didn't care. She just wanted to see him smile. When he arrived, he barely tasted i

er grew worse. Her head throbbed, and her body ached. She felt a wave of self-pity wa

nd called him. Maybe last night was a mistake, a d

n went to voicemail. She tried

Ava?" His voice w

id, her own voice weak and ra

d hear the faint sound of a woman's laughter

he said, his tone flat

the words catching in her throat. The question was

't be so needy, Ava. It's not a

ball, the tears she had held back finally starting to fall. She cried for the wasted years, for her lost

nd. She ignored it, assuming it was another cruel message from Noah or his frie

om Noah. It

"Congratulations! Indie

d been pouring her heart and soul into for two years, had been selected as a finalist

mall light in a vast darkness, a reminder that there was a part of her that Noah couldn't touch,