At last, the past began to release her, its grip loosening like shadows fading at dawn. She felt the weight lift, a gentle freedom unfolding. Now, she could step forward, no longer bound by echoes. Healing was hers to claim, as it was always meant to be.
Hunter returned to the city at night, the glow of its lights reflecting off the rearview mirror as he drove through familiar streets. It was his first time back since the k********g, since the revelation about Mara—since everything had shattered. But this wasn’t a grand return. He was here only to collect his things from his office and leave behind the remnants of his former life. And if he could summon the courage, to face Estelle one last time. He needed to apologize for all the wrongs he had done to her. He had been reflecting on how t
