Even though I’d lived in this house for decades, that morning, it felt unfamiliar—like a place I no longer belonged. I sat on the edge of the bed, staring at the half-packed suitcase, my hands curled around a chipped coffee mug that read, Forever & Always. The irony wasn’t lost on me.

The empty side of the bed seemed to mock me. I ran my fingers over the sheets and whispered, “Well, I guess we didn’t make it.”

Packing felt more like picking through wreckage than preparing for a fresh start. I had clung to the past long enough, but moving forward felt just as terrifying. My laptop sat on the desk, a silent companion to two years of work—my unfinished novel, the only thing that still felt like mine.

Then, Lana’s email arrived.

“Creative retreat. Warm island. Fresh start. Wine.”

Of course, there was wine. Lana could make anything sound like a good idea. At first, I hesitated. Running away wasn’t my style. But what if this was more than running away? What if it was running toward something?

I closed the suitcase with a sharp click.

Here’s to reckless decisions.

The island smelled like salt and sun-warmed sand. I inhaled deeply, letting the breeze wash over me. For a moment, it felt like I had made the right choice.

That moment didn’t last.

As I walked toward the retreat, the sound of crashing waves was replaced by pounding music and bursts of laughter. Young writers sprawled across colorful beanbags, drinks in hand, their energy buzzing like a festival.

Not exactly the quiet haven I imagined.

Before I could retreat, Lana appeared, sun-kissed and grinning, a margarita already in hand.

“Thea!” she squealed, as if we hadn’t spoken just yesterday.

“Lana, what is this?” I gestured toward the lively chaos.

“Magic! You need this. Speaking of which…” She grabbed my arm. “You have to meet someone.”

I barely had time to protest before she dragged me toward a man who looked like he had stepped straight out of a movie. Golden tan, sun-bleached hair, an easy smile that could disarm anyone.

“Thea, meet Eric. He’s a writer too. He’s been dying to meet you.”

“Dying?” I raised a brow.

“Lana has a way of exaggerating,” Eric admitted, flashing a sheepish grin. “But I was hoping to meet you. Your novel sounds incredible.”

My cheeks warmed. “It’s not finished.”

“That just means you have more story to tell.”

Lana smirked and backed away. “You two talk. I’ll find more margaritas.”

Somewhere between the sunset walk and our shared love for literature, I forgot to be guarded. Eric was easy to talk to, and for the first time in months, I laughed—really laughed.

Maybe this wasn’t a mistake.

Maybe I had needed this after all.

The next morning, I woke up brimming with energy. Today was the day. I was finally going to make progress on my novel.

But when I opened my laptop, my heart stopped.

The folder was gone.

Two years of work—my words, my soul—vanished without a trace.

I searched every corner of the hard drive, but deep down, I knew. This wasn’t an accident.

Panic clutched my chest as I rushed to find Lana, but halfway through the corridor, muffled voices stopped me in my tracks.

“We just need to pitch it to the right publisher,” Eric’s voice murmured.

I peeked through the slightly open door. Lana leaned in, her voice dripping with confidence.

“Her manuscript is brilliant. We’ll figure out how to position it as mine. She’ll never know what hit her.”

A cold wave of betrayal slammed into me.

I turned away before they could see me, my hands trembling. My suitcase was packed within minutes. I didn’t need closure. I needed distance.

By the time I left the island, I refused to look back.

Months passed.

The bookstore was packed for my first book signing. My novel—my novel—had finally been published, and I had done it on my terms. No stolen ideas, no shortcuts.

As I signed the last book of the night, I spotted something tucked under my coffee cup—a folded note.

“You owe me an autograph. Café around the corner when you’re free.”

My breath hitched.

Eric.

I should have ignored it. But instead, I found myself walking toward the café, heart pounding with something I refused to name.

I spotted him immediately. He was already watching me, an unreadable expression on his face.

“You’re bold, leaving me a note like that,” I said, sliding into the seat across from him.

“Bold or desperate?” he countered with a wry smile. “I wasn’t sure you’d come.”

“Neither was I.”

“Thea, I need to explain.” His voice was steady, but his hands fidgeted slightly, betraying his nerves. “I didn’t know what Lana was planning at first. She told me she was helping you. But the moment I found out the truth, I stole the flash drive and sent it to you.”

My heart stumbled. “So, what I overheard wasn’t what it seemed?”

“It wasn’t.” He leaned forward, searching my face. “The moment I knew, I chose you.”

I let his words settle between us. Part of me wanted to hold onto my anger, but I couldn’t deny the truth—he had helped me when it mattered most.

“Lana?” I finally asked.

“Gone.” He exhaled. “She disappeared when I exposed her. She couldn’t face the fallout.”

“So… what now?”

“That depends,” he said, holding my gaze. “Would you consider giving me another chance?”

I tapped my fingers against my coffee cup.

“One date,” I said at last. “Don’t mess it up.”

His grin widened. “Deal.”

And just like that, I realized that maybe—just maybe—not all betrayals ended in heartbreak. Some led to something far more unexpected.

Maybe even love.