Chapter 8
Days passed, and my encounters with Daniel became more frequent. He was easy to talk to, with a kindness that didn’t feel forced. Unlike Lucien, who seemed to carry the weight of the world on his shoulders, Daniel laughed freely and lived in the moment.
One evening, after a gallery opening, he invited me for a late dinner at a small, cozy café tucked away from the city’s noise. The warm light, the soft music, and his genuine attention made me feel safe, almost like a fragile bird learning to spread its wings again.
As we talked about our pasts, I realized I wasn’t ready to share everything—especially not about Lucien or the pain I’d been through. So I kept the story of my broken marriage to myself, focusing instead on lighter things: my love for art, dreams I’d shelved away, and the little joys I found in everyday life.
Daniel didn’t push. He just listened and smiled, making me feel like I mattered again.
That night, walking home alone, I looked up at the stars. For so long, the sky had seemed cold and distant, like my future. But now, under that quiet blanket of light, I felt a soft hope blooming inside me.
Maybe I could find happiness again, on my own terms.
Maybe I was stronger than I’d believed.
And maybe, the past was finally behind me.