Nine Years Of Auditions, Then I Walked Away Chapter 08

Nine Years Of Auditions, Then I Walked Away Chapter 08

Mom and I went to the place Dad always wanted to visit. A quiet town miles away from everything. 

Life was simple. It smoothed over all the hurt from 

the last nine years. 

But nobody saw the storm raging underneath. 

I couldn’t seem to find a point to anything. I spent my days curled up on the window seat, watching the 

sun rise and set. 

Sometimes I’d rush into the kitchen and cook a full spread of Sebastian’s favorite foods. 

Or I’d wake up in the middle of the night and start ironing dress shirts. 

Mom never stopped me. But I knew she was crying 

behind her bedroom door. 

I think I was broken. 

A week later, Mom came home with a small 

cardboard box. She looked hopeful. 

She stroked my hair gently. 

“Elara, open it.” 

I heard tiny claws scratching against cardboard. 

Something shifted. I don’t know how to explain it. Like my chest wasn’t so tight anymore. 

at me. 

I opened the lid. A fluffy white puppy stared up 

It blinked its wet eyes and nuzzled against my 

palm. 

In that moment, that little heartbeat filled the hollow space inside me. 

Mom used the rest of our savings to lease a small shop. Flowers and coffee. 

I took the puppy to work every day. Mom tended the plants, and I pulled espresso shots. 

One customer loved the vibe. She asked if she could 

post a photo online. 

After that, Bloom & Brew exploded. 

Influencers and even a few celebrities started 

showing up. 

The puppy, we named him Ghost, loved everyone. He’d roll right over for belly rubs. 

In just a few months, business was booming. 

Mom bought a little house with a yard nearby. We had a home again. 

80.00% 

I thought maybe life would stay that calm. 

Then the bell above the door chimed. I looked up with a practiced smile. 

And I saw the face I’d hoped to never see again. 

Sebastian Whitmore was gaunt. Dark circles bruised his eyes. His jaw was covered in uneven 

stubble. 

When he saw me, his eyes went red. 

My fists clenched at my sides. I forced myself to 

breathe. 

He walked up to the counter and opened his hand. 

A ring clinked against the wood. 

It was our ring. The diamond he’d flown overseas to get. The band was engraved with baby’s breath, my favorite. 

“Elara. Please. Just come home.” 

“Let me fix this. I can fix this. Just… let me try.” 

delirious. 

Once, those words would have made me 

Now my stomach turned. I gagged. 

The customers in line glared at Sebastian. 

A few of my regulars stood up, forming a wall 

between us. 

Mom ran out from the back and threw her arms out 

in front of me. 

She looked at Sebastian like he was dirt. “Get out. 

You’re not welcome here.” 

Sebastian’s eyes grew wetter. His voice cracked. 

“Ma’am. I know. Okay? I know I screwed up.” 

“Jus… don’t make me leave. Please. One more 

chance. That’s it.” 

chances. 

Nine years. I’d given him a million 

Year three. He swore he’d marry me. Just wait a 

little longer. 

Year four. Seraphina came back. He kept taking her side. I told myself it was just friendship. 

Year five. I was in a bad wreck. I didn’t call 911. I 

called him. 

He was at the movies with Seraphina. Told me to figure it out. 

I gave him every chance. 

He just never picked me.