A DREAM COME TRUE

Chapter One Excerpt: "The Spark"

The gallery buzzed with the quiet hum of self-important chatter, the sound of clinking glasses mingling with the occasional burst of laughter. Mia stood apart, gazing out the tall glass window as the city lights blinked below like a thousand fireflies trapped in a glass jar. Everything seemed perfect from up here—glittering skyscrapers, luxurious cars lining the streets, people laughing in tailored suits—but it felt so far away from her.

She fidgeted with the strap of her dress, the emerald fabric clinging to her like a promise of something she was afraid to understand. Ethan had insisted she wear it, saying it made her look stunning. But she didn't feel stunning. She felt invisible, as though her soul had evaporated into the glass and concrete below.

"Beautiful, isn't it?"

Mia turned, startled by the voice behind her. The man standing there had a rugged charm about him—tousled dark hair, a faint stubble, and eyes that seemed to catch the light in a way that made everything else seem dim in comparison. He was dressed casually in a leather jacket, a stark contrast to the rest of the people around them.

"It is," she answered, though she wasn't sure if she was referring to the city or the stranger in front of her. His grin was confident, unbothered, and it was contagious.

"I'm Lucas," he said, extending a hand.

"Mia," she replied, shaking his hand briefly, a bit taken aback by the intensity in his gaze. "I don't usually come to these things."

Lucas nodded, as if it made perfect sense. "Neither do I. But when I get the invite to see what the corporate world considers art, I figure I should at least see what all the fuss is about."

Mia chuckled. "I take it you're not impressed?"

"Not exactly," Lucas said, his voice low and sincere. "But I'm not here for the art, I'm here for the people. For the stories. Everyone in this room is telling the same story. That's the problem."

Mia blinked. "The same story?"

"Yeah. The story of success, of doing what's expected. Of fitting in. But that's not living, that's surviving. And you look like you're just surviving."

His words hit her like a wave. Her stomach clenched, but not with discomfort—more like awakening. No one had ever spoken so plainly to her about how she felt but never dared to say out loud. She wanted to ask more, but before she could, Ethan's voice cut through their moment.

"Mia," he said, his hand gently pulling her away. "We need to mingle. There's a lot of important people here."

Mia gave Lucas one last look before following Ethan, though her mind lingered on their conversation. Who was this man who had so easily seen through her carefully constructed life?

Chapter Two: "Cracks in the Foundation"

Mia's relationship with Ethan, once filled with love and excitement, began to feel like a set of expectations she had to live up to. His cold demeanor and unwavering insistence on a life she didn't feel connected to anymore pushed her further away from herself. The cracks in their relationship, long unnoticed, began to widen, and Mia found herself yearning for more—something real, something genuine.

She began working on a project outside of her office job, a personal dream she had carried since she was a child—designing sustainable, eco-friendly homes. She found herself sketching late at night, doing research on green building materials, and pouring her soul into a proposal for a competition for architects and designers. It was her chance to finally do something that mattered, that was hers.

But every time she mentioned her new project to Ethan, he grew increasingly hostile. "You can't seriously be wasting your time on that," he would say. "Focus on the wedding. Focus on our life together. Stop acting like you're some kind of idealist."

Mia knew that if she kept fighting for her dreams, she would lose Ethan. But was that so terrible?

Lucas's presence had begun to haunt her thoughts. Their interactions had grown more frequent, and Mia found herself drawn to him in ways she couldn't explain. Lucas didn't want anything from her—he only wanted to see her free. Their late-night talks, filled with laughter and deep discussions about life, architecture, and passion, made her feel alive in a way she hadn't experienced in years.

But the reality of her life kept intruding. She couldn't leave Ethan just yet. And what was she supposed to do about the growing attraction to Lucas? Her feelings for him stirred up emotions she hadn't allowed herself to feel in a long time—freedom, desire, and hope.

Chapter Three: "Breaking Free"

The final break came unexpectedly during a dinner party Ethan hosted with some of his business associates. Mia was used to the polished, cold conversations that revolved around stock prices and corporate mergers, but this time, the tension in the air felt suffocating. Ethan, after one too many drinks, made a snide remark about Mia's career aspirations.

"I think you've forgotten who you are, Mia," he said sharply. "You're not a designer. You're a woman meant to support me."

His words stung, not just because of how cruel they were, but because they exposed everything she had been ignoring for so long. Ethan didn't see her as an equal, as a person with her own dreams. He saw her as an accessory to his life.

Later that night, Mia confronted him. The argument was explosive, accusations and resentment pouring out, followed by the heavy silence of two people who no longer recognized the love they once shared.

Mia packed a bag, walked out of the apartment, and left Ethan behind. It was terrifying, but it was also liberating.

Chapter Four: "A Leap of Faith"

Lucas was there for her. She wasn't sure why, but she didn't question it. He offered her a place to stay in his small artist loft, a place filled with canvases, sculptures, and the kind of raw energy that made Mia feel like she was finally waking up from a long, stagnant sleep.

Her eco-village proposal was ready for the competition. With Lucas's encouragement, Mia submitted it, feeling a sense of accomplishment she hadn't felt in years. But then Ethan tried to sabotage her. He called the competition organizers, spreading rumors that her proposal wasn't up to professional standards.

Lucas stood by her, but the damage had been done. Mia had to find a way to prove herself, to show that her dreams were worth fighting for.

In the end, Mia's determination paid off. She won the competition and was offered a contract to start her own design firm. It wasn't just a professional victory—it was the first time in her life that she had stood up for herself, against the world and against the man she thought she loved.

Chapter Five: "A New Beginning"

Mia's new life began with one project—a small but significant sustainable home she designed for a family that believed in her vision. The joy of seeing her dream come to life was beyond anything she had imagined.

And then there was Lucas. They had become inseparable, not just as lovers but as partners, each inspiring the other to reach new heights. Mia had found someone who understood her completely—someone who had fought for his dreams just as fiercely as she had.

Together, they built something real, something that would last.

And as Mia stood in the midst of her completed eco-village, now a thriving community, she realized that her dream had come true—not because of any competition or prize, but because she had finally allowed herself to believe in it.

Epilogue:

Mia stood with Lucas on the porch of her new home, overlooking the valley below. The wind whispered through the trees, and for the first time in a long time, Mia felt at peace. She had found her dream, her purpose—and she had created it herself.

"To new beginnings," Lucas said, his arm wrapped around her waist.

"To dreams that come true," Mia whispered back, smiling.