Chapter 19: The Door I No Longer Needed

The morning before my flight to New York, I received an unexpected email.

It was from Graham.

There was no greeting.

No apology.

Just one sentence.

“We need to talk about Lily.”

I stared at the screen for several seconds before closing it.

An hour later, another message arrived.

“Please don't make me ask you twice.”

I almost laughed.

Even now, he still thought he could give me instructions.

I forwarded both messages to Daniel.

“Do I need to respond?”

His reply came quickly.

“No. Unless the matter concerns a legal obligation, you are not required to engage with him.”

I deleted the conversation.

That afternoon, I went to the office to finish packing for my trip.

My manager handed me the final itinerary.

“The New York team wants you there for six weeks. If everything goes well, they may offer you a permanent position.”

I looked at the document.

Six weeks.

Maybe longer.

A year ago, I would have immediately thought about how that would affect Graham.

Now I only thought about whether I wanted the opportunity.

“I'd like to take it.”

She smiled.

“I thought you would.”

That evening, I stopped by Lily's school to return a book she had left in my car.

I didn't tell Graham I was coming.

I didn't need permission.

Lily ran toward me the moment she saw me.

“Nora!”

She wrapped her arms around my waist.

I hugged her back.

“I brought something for you.”

I handed her the book.

Her face brightened.

“Are you staying for dinner?”

I hesitated.

“Not tonight.”

“Why?”

“I'm going to New York for work.”

Her expression fell.

“For how long?”

“At least six weeks.”

She thought about that.

Then she nodded seriously.

“That's okay.”

I smiled.

“Is it?”

“Yes. Mom says people can love each other even when they don't live together.”

I looked at Sloane.

She stood a few feet away, watching us quietly.

There was no hostility in her expression anymore.

Only understanding.

“She's right,” I said.

Lily squeezed my hand.

“Will you come back?”

“Yes.”

“Promise?”

I smiled.

“Promise.”

A car horn sounded outside.

Graham had arrived.

The moment he stepped through the doors, his eyes found me.

His expression hardened.

“What are you doing here?”

I looked at him calmly.

“Returning Lily's book.”

He glanced at Lily, then at Sloane.

“We need to talk.”

“No, we don't.”

His jaw tightened.

“Nora.”

“Graham, I have a flight tomorrow.”

“Then cancel it.”

The old command came so naturally that he seemed surprised when I laughed.

“You really haven't changed.”

He stepped closer.

“This is about Lily.”

“Then talk to Lily's guardian.”

His face changed.

For once, he had no immediate answer.

I picked up my bag.

“Take care of her.”

Lily hugged me one more time.

Then I walked past Graham and out of the building.

I didn't look back.

The next morning, as my plane lifted above the clouds, my phone buzzed one final time.

A message from Graham.

“You can't just erase four years like they meant nothing.”

I looked out the airplane window.

Four years hadn't meant nothing.

They had taught me exactly what I would never accept again.

I turned off my phone.

Then I watched the city disappear beneath the clouds.

For the first time, I wasn't leaving someone behind.

I was finally moving forward.