Leaving Nathan alone in the park really hurt, but no matter how I felt, I had to keep my head straight and make the smart choice.

I didn’t go back to the office. My mind was a mess, and I just wanted to be by myself for a while.

I didn’t go home either. I was worried Nathan would come looking for me, and honestly, I didn’t want to see him right now.

When people lose control, logic goes out the window. I didn’t want to get even more caught up with Nathan.

I checked into a hotel and snagged a room on the top floor. I dropped my bag without a second thought, collapsed onto the bed, and shut my eyes, determined to shut out all the mess swirling in my head.

They say your heart should be like an umbrella—able to open up when you need shelter, but also knowing when to close and let things go.

For me, it’s not just about knowing when to step into the spotlight; it’s about knowing when it’s time to make your exit.

Mom always said a lot of things would make sense once I grew up.

The price of growing up is learning how to let go, and being a grown-up is so damn hard. If only I could go back to being a kid again—clueless about everything, just wild, reckless, running around, crying, laughing out loud. Back then, happiness was all that mattered.

I put my phone on silent, and Nathan didn’t try to call or text me again.

Work calls, on the other hand, just kept coming in one after another.

Around seven in the evening, my assistant called, checking where I was because there was some paperwork that needed signing.

I knew it was urgent and had to be signed ASAP; otherwise, the materials couldn’t get delivered on time.

I asked her to swing by and sent her the hotel’s address.

She hung up in a rush.

Half an hour later, there was a knock at my door. I figured it was my assistant.

But when I opened it, there stood Jared.

My whole body went numb—I stared at him in shock. “Why is it you?”

Jared held up the papers. “Ms. Murphy, could you sign these for me?”

I let out a wry laugh. “Mr. Holcomb, these little tricks are a bit beneath you, don’t you think?”

“I just wanted to see you, nothing more,” Jared said, his eyes softening. “Back then, all I had to do was come home. Now, I have to get a little creative.”

I was honestly speechless—Jared could say stuff like that and not even worry about getting struck by lightning for it.

I took the papers and turned to grab a pen.

But Jared pulled one out of his pocket and handed it to me. “Use mine.”

I signed my name in a hurry, then it hit me after the fact: “You’re the boss. Your signature works just as well.”

Jared sprawled out lazily on my bed. “I don’t sign for someone else’s job.”

I nearly rolled my eyes—Jared was obviously here on purpose.

“What are you doing here?” I asked, setting the signed papers aside.

“Did you and Nathan have a fight?” Jared cut straight to the point, looking up at me with a grin. “See? He’s not right for you.”

My expression darkened right away. “If you’re here to laugh at me, go ahead.”

“Victoria, I’m not that kind of guy,” Jared said, standing up with a fake smile and a mischievous glint in his eyes. “I’m not here to laugh at you. I just wanted to see how you were doing.”

“Spare me the fake comfort,” I said coolly, not buying his act. “Mr. Holcomb, the papers are right there. Just take them and go.”

“Victoria, you don’t have to put on a brave face with me. If you’re feeling down, I’m here for you—whatever you want to do, I’ll keep you company,” Jared said gently, stepping up behind me.

I gazed out at the city, every window glowing with light against the night. But right now, it felt like I didn’t have a real home anymore—wherever my job was, that’s where I called home.