The Goodbye That Never Was

its expansive view of the city, felt like a cage. Despite her calm facade, every second was

ith silences, decisions delayed, and her team exchanged worried glances. The rumor

's Re

tment meetings, project deadlines, and the occasional office gossip. But eve

back to the simpler days when she and Layla would talk for hours under the star

Le

of paperwork, a small envelope slid out. The ha

dered tossing it into the

om

to start. I'm sorry. Not just for leaving, but for e

to the hurt I caused you. You have every right to hate me, but

our constant. Let me be

ys y

a

g Down

whirlwind of anger and longing. She storme

i demanded, her voic

confused. "Who are

Naomi said,

y doesn't come to this floor often, but she's

aomi turned on her heel and

Re

ive floor, Naomi's heart pounded. She pushed

desk, surprise flashing a

tation. She marched to the de

Layla," she said, her voice shaking. "Yo

ng. "I don't expect it to. I just..

?" Naomi demanded. "Regret? Gui

pite the storm brewing in Naomi's eyes. "I'

gained control. "You don't get to do this to me again. Yo

a said softly. "I'm here, Naomi.

away. "You don't deserve another chance, Layla. But m

ice again. The tension between them had been unbearable, but

es herself over everyone else. I don't

ey weren't entirely untrue, and that real

i's

y longer would only deepen her vulnerability. She submitted her resignation letter without

s office to discuss her dec

ove on," she

omi moved back to her hometown, hoping the familiar surro

th of L

even showed up at Naomi's old apartment, only to find it empty. H

rless. Her wealth, influence, and determination mean

house, she stared at her reflection in the glass wind

cker

rew. She poured over every lead, hired private investigators,

An investigator handed her a file conta

inator for a small NGO in the count

he packed her bags and boarded

nion in

storm began to roll in. The rain came down in sheets, s

a small awning and talking to a group of volunteer

ut, her voice barely

he turned around, her

ng here?" she ask

, stepping closer. "I couldn't jus

owing. "You had your chance, Layla.

voice breaking. "I know I've made mi

ost me the moment you chose your career over us. Do you even re

o respond, but Naomi hel

h emotion. "You don't get to show up and expect everything to be oka

blow. She felt the weight of Naomi

right," Layla said softly. "J

with words? With promises you'll probably break? No, L

, leaving Layla standing alone in the rain,

Determ

mi was right. Words weren't enough. If she wanted any chance of winning N

Naomi-not with grand gestures or declarations, but by

willing to do whatever it took. F