A New Path

The morning air was crisp, carrying the faint scent of rain as I zipped up my last suitcase. The apartment was eerily quiet, the kind of silence that settled deep into your bones and reminded you of everything you were leaving behind.

I had made my decision.

I was leaving.

I had spent the entire night thinking, replaying every moment, every word, every promise that had been shattered in front of me. And in the end, I had realized something I couldn't stay here, trapped in a cycle of pain and betrayal.

I needed a fresh start.

A knock on the door made me flinch.

Sophie.

Of course, she would come. She had sensed something was wrong the moment I texted her to say I was leaving.

I hesitated before opening the door.

Her expression was a mix of concern and frustration, her arms crossed over her chest. "So, you were just going to leave without telling me?"

I sighed, stepping aside to let her in. "I was going to tell you. I just… I don't know."

Sophie glanced around at the packed bags, her brows furrowing. "Ari, running away isn't going to erase what happened."

"I'm not running away," I said quietly. "I just… I need space. I need to figure out what I want, and I can't do that here."

She studied me for a long moment, then let out a slow breath. "Where are you going?"

I shrugged. "I don't know yet. I just need to go somewhere new. Somewhere where I'm not constantly reminded of Kairo."

Sophie's expression softened. "I get it, I do. But are you sure this is what you want?"

I looked down, pressing a hand to my stomach. "I don't know what I want, Lisa. But I know what I don't want. And I don't want to keep waiting for answers that will only hurt me more."

Sophie sighed and pulled me into a tight hug. "I hate this. I hate that he hurt you like this."

"I know," I whispered. "But I can't change what happened. I can only decide what happens next."

Sophie pulled back, wiping her eyes quickly before clearing her throat. "Okay. Fine. If you're doing this, then I'm helping you. No arguments."

I managed a small smile. "I wasn't going to argue."

The Final Goodbye

By afternoon, I was standing outside my apartment complex, my suitcases loaded into the trunk of my car.

Sophie stood beside me, her hands on her hips. "I still think you should tell Kristoff."

I stiffened. "No."

"Ari—"

"He has a girlfriend, Sophie." My voice was firm, but I could hear the slight tremble beneath it. "He made his choice. Now I'm making mine."

Sophie bit her lip but didn't push further.

I exhaled slowly, gripping the car door handle. "Thank you, for everything."

Sophie's eyes shimmered with emotion, but she smiled. "You better call me the second you get wherever you're going."

"I will."

And with that, I got into the car and drove away.

A Journey to the Unknown

The road stretched endlessly ahead, the city skyline fading in my rearview mirror. I didn't know where I was going I had no plan, no set destination.

Just a need to escape.

Every few miles, doubt crept in.

Was I doing the right thing?

Would I regret this?

Would Kristoff even care that I was gone?

I shook my head, gripping the wheel tighter. It didn't matter. I was done waiting for answers.

Hours passed, the weight in my chest slowly easing as the scenery changed.

Eventually, I pulled into a small town I had never heard of, exhaustion settling deep into my bones.

A new place. A new beginning.

And for the first time in a long while, I let myself hope that maybe, just maybe, I could start over.