Chapter 9
The sky was still dark as I stood in front of the airport, zipping my jacket around my body. The cold morning breeze hit my face, but my heart felt lighter than ever.
Lucas stood beside me, shoving his hands into his pants pockets, his eyes staring at the entrance of the airport with an expression that I couldn’t tell what he was thinking.
“Are you sure about this?” he asked, finally breaking the silence between us.
I took a deep breath and nodded without hesitation. “Yes. Very sure,” I replied with a smile.
Lucas turned his head, looking at me intently as if he wanted to find the doubt in my eyes. “No second chance for Damien? No second thoughts?” he asked, raising one eyebrow.
I knew Lucas was teasing me. I smiled a little. “Second chances are only for people who deserve them,” I replied, lifting my head.
Lucas laughed and shook his head. He had a happy look on his face.
“I still can’t believe you’d go this far, even away from that damn guy,” he said, taking both hands out of his pockets and folding them in front of his chest.
I looked up at him and smiled slightly as I said to reassure him, “I’m pretty sure it’s for the best, Lucas.”
He didn’t answer right away. His hand came up, wanting to ruffle my hair like he usually did, but he refrained. “I know. It’s just… it feels weird.”
I understood what he meant. All this time, I was always by his side. We were very close. He was the first person who disliked my relationship with Damien. And now, I’m going to a faraway place, leaving his and everything I’ve ever known behind.
Lucas glanced at his watch. “Your plane leaves in an hour. You have to get in. Go!” he said.
I nodded, picking up my suitcase. “Thank you, Lucas. For everything,” I said sadly.
Lucas snorted, trying to smile even though his eyes said otherwise. “Don’t miss me there too much!”
I chuckled and joked back. “No guarantees.”
Lucas came closer and hugged me tightly. I let myself savor the warmth of our brotherhood one last time, before leaving.
“I’ll be fine,” I whispered.
Lucas released me reluctantly and then, nodded. “I know,” he said.
I waved goodbye to Lucas and stepped back inside the airport.
I’m not going back with sadness. I’m going back with renewed happiness. I’ve been stuck in a worthless relationship for too long. I’ve sacrificed enough.
Now, I will restart my life.
The trip to Switzerland was long but different from what I expected.
Chapter 9
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I thought I would feel awkward traveling alone this far, but as it turned out, I enjoyed the silence.
I didn’t need to make small talk with anyone, didn’t need to hear voices I didn’t want to hear. I just sat in my seat, letting the sound of the airplane engine be the background to my quiet thoughts.
I glanced out the window, watching the sky slowly change color. I didn’t leave anything behind that mattered. I didn’t lose anything.
The five years I wasted on someone who never even considered me as a part of his life, was enough to make me learn.
Damien?
The name had even begun to feel foreign in my mind.
I was no longer that stupid woman waiting for someone who never really chose me.
I let out a relaxing sigh, leaning my head back against the airplane seat.
This was a new beginning.
When the plane finally landed in Switzerland, I got out with steady steps. The colder–than–usual air immediately greeted me, pricking my skin even though I was already wearing a thick jacket.
Hooked around, searching for the person who picked me up.
It didn’t take long before a brown–haired man in an elegant suit waved at me. “Althea!”
I recognized him. He was Elliot, a distant cousin on my mother’s side who had settled in Switzerland long ago. It was Lucas who contacted him and asked Elliot to accompany me to learn about Switzerland.
I stepped closer, and he immediately smiled broadly. “Welcome to Switzerland. How was your trip?” he asked enthusiastically.
“It was fun,” I replied with a big smile.
Elliot laughed. “Of course it was. But, you don’t have to worry, you’ll love this place,” he said as he reached for my suitcase.
I nodded, letting myself believe in his words.
We walked out of the airport, the cold wind gently hitting my face. The atmosphere of Switzerland is so different from the city I left behind.
Here, there are no memories of Damien. No trace of my painful past.
“I’ve prepared an apartment for you. You can stay there as long as you want.” Elliot said while carrying my suitcase.
“Thank you, Elliot. I appreciate it.” I replied, smiling at him.
He smiled and then said, “Don’t thank me. From now on, just pretend you’re at home.”
I nodded. For the first time in a long time, I felt I had a chance to live, without the shadow
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