Whispers of Maplebrook

brook. The small town was just as she remembered, with its quaint, tree-lined streets and the scent of fresh-baked

realized it until now, but the city, with all its noise and excitement, had never felt like this. The peace she

to see her? She had left him standing in that doorway, waiting for her to make up her mind, and then s

passed by her in a blur as she tried to calm the anxious thrum of her heartbeat. She had rehearsed

ndle. She could see through the large window, and there he was-Ethan, sitting behind th

ning his hands through it while he read. But there was something different about him, too. He seemed more distant, mo

l this way, but now the fear that she had made a mistake began to creep

n looked up. His eyes met hers, and for a moment, everything else faded away-the bookstore, the town, th

guarded and unreadable. He stood slowly, setting the book down on the counter. "

mile, or a glimmer of warmth in his eyes. But she couldn't blame him for being reserv

arely above a whisper. She took a tentative step forward, her h

r words. He didn't say anything for a long moment, and the silence betwe

embling slightly. "About the city, my career... and about you. Nothing feels right anymore without you, Ethan. I thought th

he counter, crossing his arms over his chest as if to protect himself from whatever she was about to say next."And what are you say

ain."I know I hurt you," she said, her voice breaking. "I didn't mean to, but I did. And I can't promise that I won't ever make mistakes again. But what I can promise is that I'm not leaving

and stepped closer, his voice quiet and serious. "You left once, Amelia. How do I know you won't l

t the same person I was when I first came here. I've changed. I've realized that chasing after success doesn't mean anything if I don't have someone to share it with