"Did you talk to Daniel? Did he agree?" Reagan’s voice came through the phone, surprised and concerned, as if she was struggling to grasp the weight of my words.
"I can cover the termination fee, Reagan. I want to leave." I took a deep breath.
Reagan had always been my rock, a beacon of light in the dark, guiding me through the labyrinth of the entertainment world, offering chances when I thought none were left.
There was a heavy silence on the other end, time seemingly frozen as the tension hung in the air.
Finally, Reagan’s voice broke the stillness, soft yet unwavering. "Alright, I’ll take care of it for you. I hope you find happiness from now on."
"Find happiness," those simple words struck me like a quiet thunderclap, their meaning deep and profound.
It was something I had secretly jotted down on a scrap of paper during one of the company’s annual parties, a small wish amid the festive chaos, something I never thought anyone would notice. But Reagan had.
The sky was still wrapped in the dim embrace of dawn when I stepped into the taxi, the engine’s hum a distant echo to my troubled mind.
Since learning about Daniel’s proposal the night before, sleep had eluded me. Restlessness had taken root deep in my chest, an ache that wouldn’t fade.
That kind of proposal had once been my greatest dream, a fantasy I held close to my heart. But now, it was given to someone else, and of course, someone like me was never meant to be a part of that dream.
When the taxi pulled up to the hotel, I turned my phone to silent, hoping for a brief escape, even if just for a moment.
I sank into a deep, dreamless sleep as though my mind was running away from the pain.
When I finally stirred, sunlight had already slipped in through the curtains, filling the room with a soft, golden glow. I glanced at the clock: two in the afternoon.
Still groggy, I reached for my phone. My fingers froze when I saw the screen flashing with over 50 missed calls.
Before I could even catch my breath, the phone rang again, its sharp chime cutting through the heavy silence of the room.
Daniel’s voice came through, tinged with anxiety. "Eliana, where did you go? Why is everything gone?"
I stayed quiet, my heart tightening at his words.
When the line fell silent, I exhaled slowly, forcing myself to remain composed.
"Mr. Evans," I said, my voice calm, "I’m deeply grateful for everything you’ve done for me, for my career and life. I will spend the rest of my days repaying what I owe you. But I know you’re getting married now. It’s time for us to let go."
"Eliana, please, can you come back? I, she and I, " His voice cracked with panic, a rare vulnerability that I hadn’t expected.
I didn’t want to hear another word. His voice, no matter how urgent, couldn’t shake the resolve that had solidified in my chest.
Without a second thought, I ended the call and immediately blocked him from every possible way of reaching me.
And in that single, quiet moment, I felt something I hadn’t in ages: freedom.
As night fell, the city lights blinked to life, each one casting a soft glow on the world below.
To mark this turning point, I decided on a gathering. I invited Lyla and Reagan to dinner. We had weathered storms together, colleagues through thick and thin. Saying goodbye was never easy, but it felt like the right time to leave on good terms.
I chose the most talked-about restaurant in town, the one that had recently gone viral.
But as my hand touched the door of the private dining room, my steps suddenly faltered.
Before me stood two figures so familiar that they seemed carved into the very essence of my being.
Delilah, with her affectionate hold on Daniel’s arm, walked in slowly, the two of them moving with a grace that seemed almost unreal. Together, they looked like they had stepped right out of a fairytale, so perfect, it was blinding.
Delilah’s eyes locked onto me almost instantly.
As I took a step forward, her voice cut through the air, sharp and sweet.
"So, you're Miss Lewis! I’ve heard so much about you. Thank you for staying by Daniel’s side all these years. I hear you’re an artist under Summit Entertainment. Daniel will make sure you have plenty of good opportunities. It’s the least we can do for you."
My eyes drifted instinctively to Daniel.
His gaze, colder than the deepest winter, sent an unexpected chill through me.
And when his eyes met mine, it was as if I were a stranger, someone who had no part in his life anymore.
At that moment, a cold emptiness spread through my chest, leaving nothing but a hollow ache. Disappointment crashed over me, a tidal wave that pulled me under, drowning me in its depths.
