's vi

guilt, and a hint of sadness swirled inside me. I'd thought I'd long since p

mirror. My eyes looked tired, my skin pale. I realized I'd been running on autopi

us on myself, to heal and move forward. I'd done my part in helping

felt a sense of calm wash over me. I'd get through this

colleague, Rachel, looked up and smile

sense of camaraderie. "It

hetically. "Good rid

lders. Maybe it was time to start fresh, to

sun on my skin and the fresh air filling my lungs. It

t colors a stark contrast to the chaos that had been brewing inside me. I

yed tag on the grass. Their laughter and shouts filled the a

my life, my choices, and my future. I wondered what lay ahe

cking the screen. A text from my friend, Emily I meet her at the gy

uiet after all. I typed out a response, agreeing to meet her at a nearby caf

er tightly. "It's been too long!" she exclaimed

work gossip to our personal lives. Emily was always the

what's going on?" she asked, her brow furrowed with co

udgmental expression put me at ease. I took a deep breath and told her ab

and finally, to understanding. "Girl, you're stronger than you think," she sa

shoulders, and for the first time in weeks, I felt like I could b

or myself had been a defining moment in my life. I don't know why my dad left me

was was but good in a way beca

verwhelming, and I'

ays I couldn't have imagined. I'd learned to be independent, to rel

face, reminding me of the vulnerability I'd tried to bury. I'd though

st people without fear of being hurt. The thought sent a pang of s

ou're stronger than you think." May

going to be okay, Kelly," she said, her voice filled with conviction. "You've be

reassurance. I felt a lump form in my throat as I look

take a walk around the city. I agreed, enjoying

st for too long. It was time to focus on the present, to

Emily by my side, I felt a sense of hope. Maybe, just maybe

of the city. Then, Emily turned to me and said, "You know, Kelly, you've alwa

gh my chest. "Thanks, Emily," I said, sm

ettled onto the couch, I saw Adrian's face on the screen, and my heart skipped a

is words dripping with confidence and calculation. He was t

wn. The one who'd held me, laughed with me, and whispered sweet noth

motions swirling inside me. Ang

l life, specifically when he planned to get married. Adrian's express

ze was focused on the camera like he w