Chapter 15

Sarah

Stepping back onto the streets of New York, the familiar hum of the city enveloped me. It was a buzz I had once thought I could never live without, but now, it seemed more like a fading song, a melody I was ready to let go. My heart raced with a mix of nostalgia and anticipation as I headed towards my old office for my final goodbyes.

The office doors swung open and a rush of familiar faces greeted me. Each hug, each exclamation of my return, was tinged with an unspoken question—was I really leaving this all behind? "Sarah, are you sure about this? Trading all this for Ravens Peak?" Marlene, the mother hen of our group, looked genuinely puzzled.

"Yeah, I am," I responded, my voice stronger than I expected. "It's time for something different, something slower. It's not just about the pace, though; it's about where my heart feels at home."

Later, tucked away in the corner of the bustling office with Lucas, my confidant and co-conspirator in all things life and work here in New York, I shared more than just my departure plans. "I've reconnected with someone. In more than just a friendly way. It's Harper," I said, the words feeling strange yet exhilarating to say out loud.

Lucas's eyebrows shot up, a grin spreading across his face. "Well, damn! Harper? That's unexpected. But I'm happy for you. Really, I am," he said, his voice warm with genuine affection." So, tell me, how did this happen?"

"It's a long story, but we started mending our past, have been spending a lot of time together, and things just... clicked. I never imagined we'd end up here, but it feels right, you know?"

Lucas leaned in, his curiosity piqued. "So, you two are giving it a go? That's amazing. How are you feeling about it?"

"Honestly, I'm excited and terrified at the same time," I admitted. "Harper was such an important part of my life for so long, and now, it feels like we're finally figuring out what we mean to each other. It's a huge step, but I feel like it's the right one."

Lucas nodded, his smile widening. "I get it. Sometimes the best things come from the most unexpected places. I'm really happy for you. You deserve this," he said, wrapping me in a reassuring hug. "Hey, once you're all settled back in Ravens Peak, I want to come visit. Meet this Harper and see what all the fuss is about."

I grinned, feeling a wave of warmth at the thought. "I'd love that, Lucas. You're always welcome." I promised to keep him posted, though my heart swelled at the support. "It's going to be weird not having you just an office away," I admitted.

"Likewise, Sarah. But this isn't goodbye, okay? Just a new kind of hello," he said, pulling me into a tight hug that spoke volumes of our years of friendship.

***

The most daunting part of my return loomed later that week: facing Shane. I approached the apartment we used to share, my heart pounded with a mix of dread and determination. As I opened the door, the sight of him stirred a complex whirl of emotions—regret, relief, and a firm resolve. He looked up from the couch, surprised to see me so resolute.

"Shane, I want to be clear," I started without preamble as he looked up, surprised by my directness. "My decision has been made about our future and I'll be moving forward without you in it. My attorney will send over the divorce papers."

He paused, taking in my determined stance, then nodded slowly, his features softening. "I get it, Sarah. And I won't fight it. I just... hope you find what you're looking for."

I couldn't believe the ease of his acceptance. After everything he had done, the betrayal and heartbreak, he had the nerve to act like this was a mutual decision."Thank you," I said, his simplicity disarming me momentarily. "This isn't easy for either of us, but it's the right thing to do."

Shane looked down, swirling a spoon in a cup of coffee he had made for himself. The sight of it felt oddly intimate, a final touch of normalcy in the unwinding of our lives. "You know, I never wanted it to end like this. I thought... maybe we could have figured it out."

The nerve of him, I thought, trying to make it seem like this was a tragedy befalling both of us equally, rather than the consequence of his actions. "I feel like we both know it hasn't been working for a while. I think we were just afraid to admit it. But now, we have a chance to find happiness, separately."

He glanced up, a faint smile tugging at his lips. "Yeah, maybe you're right. I hope you find it, Sarah. Happiness, I mean."

His words, though seemingly sincere, felt hollow. How dare he try to take the moral high ground after what he put me through? "I hope you do too, Shane," I said, forcing a smile, feeling a mixture of relief and anger swirling inside me.

I turned my attention to the task ahead and got to gathering my things. With each box packed, the reality of my decision cemented itself more firmly in my heart. It was bittersweet, the city that had shaped me, tested me, but it was no longer my final destination.

I methodically packed away remnants of a life that once felt so permanent. Photos, books, little mementos of shared moments—they all went into boxes, each item a piece of the story that had been Shane and me. The silence of the space around me was punctuated by the sounds of packing: the rustle of cardboard, the rip of packing tape, the soft thud of items being placed into their temporary homes.

I paused at a picture of Shane and me at Central Park, both of us laughing, carefree. It felt like a different lifetime. With a deep breath, I placed it gently in the box, knowing that while the memories would remain, it was time to move forward.

My phone buzzed on the counter, a message from Lucas.

Lucas: Hey, just checking in. How's the packing going?

Me: Almost done.

Lucas: Good. You need anything, let me know. And remember, you always have a place here.

I smiled at his words, grateful for his friendship.

As I sealed the last box, I took one final look around the apartment, a final sweep for anything forgotten, the rooms echoed back my mixed feelings—a tapestry of my life here that I was slowly rolling up. The walls, once witnesses to my dreams and breakdowns, were now just silent spectators to my departure.

"Movers will be here tomorrow morning to get everything. Thanks for making this process smooth," I told Shane.

"Yeah, no problem," he replied, his tone neutral.

We exchanged our final goodbyes, a formality that seemed almost absurd given the depth of our shared history. As I walked out of the apartment for the last time, I felt a wave of relief wash over me. The city receded behind me as I headed towards the airport, each step away from my past and a more definitive step towards my future with Harper, towards a life crafted by choice and chance and love.

The flight back from one coast to the next was a quiet affair, the edges of my future less jagged. Landing in the city about an hour from home, I felt an unexpected peace as I stepped off the plane. The drive ahead would take me through familiar landscapes, each mile bringing me closer to a new beginning.

Arriving back home, I felt an unexpected peace. The part of me that I had rediscovered there, with Harper, was ready to grow, to thrive. I knew challenges awaited—integrating my life fully into this new landscape, supporting my mom, and building a relationship on untested grounds. But as I drove through the quiet streets, the crisp air welcoming me, I knew I had made the right choice. Here, in this town, with Harper, I could be my truest self, and that was worth every uncertainty, every risk.