Rewriting My Heart's Fate

Hailee's eyes turned red, but she stubbornly held back her tears.

Staying longer would only make things more awkward, so I grabbed my bag and left.

As I walked along the empty street, everything seemed to have changed dramatically. The young man who used to be so young and carefree was now fighting over a relationship. Though he'd inherited his family business, he'd lost the freedom to choose love. I didn't know how long I'd walked, but I'd somehow ended up by the river. It was already evening by then.

The right breeze blew gently and carried a hint of chill, but it seemed to soothe the unease in my heart. I strolled alone on the street illuminated by streetlights as the scene from the cafe replayed in my mind, Love, responsibility, family interests. These words formed a web in my mind so complex that it felt inescapable.

There were some things I'd experienced that caused me pain. Even if I had the chance to start over, I wasn't sure if I'd get the answers I was looking for.

I stopped and looked up at the few stars in the night sky. There was a ripple of emotion inside me.

exception. Perhaps it was time for me to learn to

was lost in my thoughts, my phone rang and jolted me back to

more

a soft hum and tried to keep my voice calm and firm. "Alden, I believe you'll make the right choice. No matter what the outcome is, remember that we're all individuals with the right to pursue our

I felt a wave of exhaustion. Itumed around and decided to go home to

if stars had fallen to the ground. They offered a sliver

I replayed scenes from the night and reflected on my

I made myself a cup of hot chocolate and at by the

at the night

slowly faded to leave

I'd grown over the years. From a naive young girl to a woman who could stand on her own, I'd