Mia spent the evening replaying Lukas's words in her mind. His quiet but unwavering support was a comfort she hadn't realized she needed. Yet beneath her gratitude, a storm brewed—a mix of longing and fear, especially as David's sudden reappearance dragged her into a whirlpool of emotions.
---
The next morning, Mia was walking to her favorite café when her phone buzzed. She hesitated before checking it, half expecting another message from David.
It wasn't David—it was Lukas.
Lukas: Free for lunch? I think we need to talk.
Mia stared at the message. Did he sense her unease?
Mia: Sure. Where?
Lukas: That Italian place near the park. 1 PM?
She pocketed her phone and quickened her pace to the café. She needed the solitude to reflect, to untangle the emotions that felt like vines creeping into her every thought.
--
Mia couldn't stop herself from slipping into the memories of her relationship with David.
It had started like a fairytale. She'd met him at a friend's wedding, where he'd been the charismatic guy who made everyone laugh. David had swept her off her feet with his charm and the way he seemed genuinely interested in her violin playing.
"I've never heard anything so beautiful," he'd said the first time he heard her perform. "You make music feel alive."
Their dates had been filled with spontaneous adventures—late-night drives to watch city lights, surprise picnics with her favorite desserts, and quiet evenings where they'd lie under the stars, sharing their dreams.
David had dreams of his own, big ones. "One day, I'll be running my own tech startup," he'd told her with that signature grin. "And you'll be playing your violin at our launch party."
Mia had believed in his dreams as much as he'd believed in hers.
But as the months turned into years, cracks began to form.
David became consumed by his ambitions, pouring every waking moment into his work. At first, Mia understood. She admired his drive and determination. But soon, she felt like an afterthought.
One night, as they were having dinner, she'd asked, "Do you even remember the last time we did something together?"
David had sighed, setting his fork down. "Mia, I'm doing this for us. For our future."
"But what about now?" she'd pressed. "I'm not asking you to stop chasing your dreams, David. I'm asking you not to forget me in the process."
His response had been silence, the kind that spoke volumes.
The breaking point came on a rainy evening. She'd overheard him on a phone call, saying, "Yeah, the move to Singapore is happening soon. It's the next big step."
When he hung up, Mia confronted him. "You're moving to Singapore? Without telling me?"
David had looked at her, caught off guard. "Mia, it's just business. I thought you'd understand."
"You thought I'd understand being left behind?" she'd asked, her voice breaking.
"Mia, this is my career. You know how important it is to me."
"And what am I, David? Just someone to fill the gaps between your meetings?"
He'd tried to justify it, but his words only deepened the wound. That night, Mia packed her things and walked away, leaving behind the man who'd once been her world.
---
Mia arrived at the Italian restaurant a few minutes early. Lukas was already there, waiting with a small smile.
"You're early," she said, sitting down.
"I knew you'd be," he replied, passing her a menu.
Mia appreciated how Lukas didn't push her to talk right away. Over pasta and iced tea, she finally opened up about David's call.
"Why does he think he can just walk back into my life?" she asked.
"Because he's not used to losing," Lukas said simply. "But that's not your problem anymore."
His words carried a weight of truth. "Why do you always seem to know exactly what to say?"
"Because I've seen how strong you are, Mia. You've already rebuilt yourself once. Don't let him undo that."
---
When Mia returned home, she decided to distract herself with something cheerful. She invited a few close friends over for a movie night. They piled onto her couch with popcorn and laughter, watching a rom-com that was equal parts heartwarming and hilarious.
At one point, her best friend nudged her. "You're smiling again. I've missed that."
Mia realized she hadn't laughed like this in months. For the first time, the memories of David felt less like chains and more like lessons.
Later, after her friends left, she baked cookies while humming a tune she'd composed years ago. The warmth of the kitchen and the scent of chocolate chip cookies filled her heart with a quiet joy.
---
Before bed, Mia sat by her window with her journal. She wrote about her happy moments with David—the good times that had made her believe in love.
Then, she wrote about the heartbreak, how it had shaped her and taught her to value herself.
As she closed the journal, she felt a sense of closure. David had been a chapter in her life, but it wasn't her entire story.
Mia lay down, her heart lighter than it had been in weeks. And as she drifted off to sleep, she realized something important: she was ready to move forward—on her own terms.