Chapter 355 1/1
I was stunned. For a moment, everything around me seemed to freeze.
The lights remained bright, and the streets were bustling as always. But my world was narrowed down to the sight of them holding each other close. My heart ached terribly.
Gabrielle didn’t seem to notice my change. She kept discussing our future design plans excitedly, but my thoughts had drifted away.
I forced myself to focus and tried to squeeze a smile. I didn’t want my emotions to affect this rare moment of celebration, but it was almost impossible to calm the turmoil in my chest. I’d never imagined seeing them so intimate. “What’s wrong? You don’t look okay,” Gabrielle asked in concern as she finally noticed my unease.
I took a deep breath and struggled to keep my voice steady. “I’m fine. I’m just a little tired. Let’s head back. We have to prepare for the next round tomorrow.” Gabrielle didn’t press further. She gently patted my shoulder and offered silent comfort.
The city’s neon lights flickered in the night, but they couldn’t clear the gloom in my heart. I looked out the windows and felt a swirl of emotions within me. Perhaps not all emotions could find their way to a happy ending, and I knew that I’d lost. What could I have expected from investing all my emotions in someone who’d never responded?
Perhaps this was what love was meant to be. Even if I’d poured my heart out, there was no guarantee of the same in return.
It was a bet of the heart. I tried to desperately silence my thoughts and push those feelings aside, but my mind remained restless.
This was destined to be an unforgettable night. Laying in bed, I tossed and turned as I reflected on how I’d spent all my time on Ethan. Maybe that was how I ended up with nothing.
My mind returned to that rainy night. I fell to the ground alone and was drenched by the heavy downpour as Ethan held Leah, who was crying her heart out. “Don’t blame Ethan. I wasn’t feeling well, so he took me to the hospital.”
The rain faded to sound in the background as my inner turmoil was amplified. As I closed my eyes, my tears mixed with raindrops, I couldn’t tell how I was feeling. My mind replayed scenes of them being together, and each repetition was like a thousand tiny needles piercing into my heart. It wasn’t enough to cause brutal pain but was more than enough to sting.
“Was I too stubborn?” I asked myself. Maybe love had no right or wrong, and it was only a matter of whether it would fit.
Perhaps Ethan and I were destined to be in parallel paths from the beginning. Even if we occasionally met, we’d only drift apart.
The rain had stopped, and the night grew darker. I struggled to my feet, and the chill from my wet clothes was a stark reminder of the harsh reality.
I reminded myself that I shouldn’t drown in my feelings. I had dreams, and my future was waiting.
The birth of our brand would be proof of my hard work and the start of my rise again.
When the first rays of the morning sun seeped into my room, I felt my mind clear up.
I quickly gathered my thoughts and buried last night’s deep pain within. Then, I put on a refreshed and energetic face.
Kevin and I rented a studio for work, and Gabrielle joined us.