Chapter 191

Olivia – Present Day, Age 32

10 YEARS LATER ….

Sometimes, time doesn’t heal. It just softens the pain over time.

The email sat in my inbox like a ghost.

>Subject: Invitation – Annual Hope Foundation Gala<

~From: Lucian Grant.~

His name alone knocked the wind out of me. I hadn’t seen him in ten years. Not even a message. He didn’t appear on the headline either. But here it was, bold and unread, glowing on my laptop screen like it had every right to still exist in my life.

I didn’t open it right away.

Instead, I closed the laptop, poured myself a glass of red wine, and stared out the window of my loft. From this height, the city looked softer, calmer, like maybe it had learned a few lessons, too. Just like me.

A knock at the door saved me from spiraling too deep. I walked towards the door to see Kelly, a smile lit my face.

“Come in,” I said.

Kelly strolled in, arms full of groceries like she owned the place. “You