Chapter 53:

Max

I was sitting having my third cup of coffee in the coffee shop. When my phone vibrated on the table. Ithought it was nothing out of the ordinary—I had grown accustomed to notifications lately, mainly pointless emails or alerts from apps I rarely used.

However, this one was not typical. It was her. Lila.

"Is it possible for us to meet?" "Is it tomorrow?"

I gazed at the text, going over it repeatedly until the letters began to smudge. My initial reaction was skepticism.

It had been months since she had contacted me—not after what I did to ruin it all. I had convinced myself to release her, to provide her with the freedom she needed.

But now, as her name illuminated my screen, my heart seemed poised to deceive me.

I sensed a strong pull of hope tugging at my heart, yet it was hope intertwined with caution. I couldn't allow it to overpower me.