Eight Years Lost, Now Truly Free

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h a personal note: "Alena, you will be there. We need to show a united front, for the firm's sake. And for ours. We need to talk, prop

e firm. But for myself. I would make

s, reflecting the flashing cameras. The air was thick with the scent of expensive perfume and eve

ssively through his, her head thrown back in a peal of laughter. She wore a dress the color of raw emeralds, shimmering and form-fitting, de

irm's newest power couple. I watched from the sidelines, a ghost in my own

oom, and her triumphant smile widened. She disentangled herself from Blake, sau

face. I honestly thought you'd be hiding in a dark corner, licking your wounds." She took a sip of her champagne,

room, was watching, a faint smile on his lips, an expec

ied, my voice calm, steady,

music played on, the laughter continued in th

icker of confusion. He started to move,

er, washed-up ex-associate with no prospects?" She took another theatrical sip of champagne. "Or perhap

.. well, others choose to run away. From their problems. From their mistakes. From their own bodies." Her eyes glinted with malice. "Tell me, Alen

ering wound of that memory. The sterile room. The cold instruments. The empty ache that had followed, physical and emotional. All for Blake.

wide, a dawning horror on his f

t stood there, watching, as

. Eight years I spent believing your lies. Believing we were a team. That every sacrifice I made was for us." I took a step forward, closing the distance between us, forcing him to meet my eyes. "I gave you m

rough the onlookers. Whisper

Alena, stop it. You're making a scene!" He t

issist who uses people until they're no longer convenient." My voice grew louder, stronger, fueled by eight years of supp

the clients, the associates. "I'm done being your 'free paral

my words. He slammed his champagne glass onto a nearby table, the crystal shattering w

all pretense. He lunged at me, his hand raised, but a few of t

the right to touch me the day you called me 'damaged goods.' And you lost the right to my life the day you gave m

ding across my face, a genuine smile for the first time in years. "I've already found so

urned and walked away. My heels clicked against the marble floor, each step a resounding declaration o

kept walking, into the night, into a future