Chapter 10

Kylie Baxter POV:

Napa Valley welcomed me with open arms and a gentle, rolling embrace. The air was crisp, scented with ancient oaks and the promise of rain. It was a world away from the frantic energy of San Francisco, a soothing balm to my frayed nerves. I quickly settled into my tiny dorm room, grateful for the anonymity it offered. No one here knew Jax. No one knew Cinda. No one knew the girl who had almost drowned in a lily pond, or whose dreams had gone up in smoke. Here, I was just Kylie. A culinary student with a fresh start.

My days fell into a comfortable rhythm. Classes were invigorating, the practical hands-on experience a welcome distraction from the lingering ghosts of my past. I spent hours in the kitchen, the warmth of the ovens, the comforting scent of spices, a therapeutic escape. I had deliberately cut all ties with my old life – a new phone number, new social media profiles under a different name, a firewall between my past and my tentative future.

My roommate, Sarah, was a whirlwind of infectious energy and bright laughter. She was a theater major, dramatic and kind, and her easy friendship was a unexpected blessing. We spent hours talking, sharing dreams, making plans. For the first time in what felt like forever, I experienced genuine, unburdened happiness. It was a quiet joy, a slow blooming, but it was real.

One blustery afternoon, the university held its annual club fair. Booths lined the quad, students hawking everything from debate clubs to quidditch teams. I was heading to the culinary club booth when my eyes landed on another. The Dance Ensemble. A group of students moved fluidly on a makeshift stage, their bodies telling stories through graceful, powerful movements. Something stirred within me, a long-dormant ache. Dance had been my first passion, a childhood dream I had abandoned for the structured world of culinary arts.

A young man, tall and lean with kind eyes and a gentle smile, stood near the stage, handing out flyers. Our eyes met, and he offered a warm, inviting smile.

"Hey," he said, his voice soft and friendly. "You look like you're mesmerized. Ever danced before?"

I nodded, a faint blush rising on my cheeks. "A long time ago. Ballet. But I haven't in years."

"You should join us," he said, his smile widening. "It's never too late to start again. We welcome all levels. My name's Deryl, by the way. Deryl Sexton."

"Kylie," I replied, a small smile touching my lips. "Kylie Baxter."

Deryl's presence was calming, a stark contrast to the chaotic energy I had grown accustomed to in Jax. He was supportive, encouraging, without any hint of the possessiveness that had suffocated me. I found myself signing up for the Dance Ensemble, a bold, impulsive decision that felt utterly liberating.

I watched Deryl during the practices. He moved with an effortless grace, his patience with the beginners boundless. His confidence wasn't loud or arrogant; it was a quiet strength, a steady pulse that radiated calm. It was refreshing, intoxicating.

The day of the Ensemble tryouts arrived, my stomach a flutter of nerves. Deryl, ever observant, noticed my anxiety. He walked over, a warm smile on his face.

"Hey, you got this," he whispered, giving my shoulder a gentle squeeze. "Just feel the music. Let it all out. Don't think, just dance."

His words were simple, but they grounded me. I stepped onto the floor, the music swelling around me, and I danced. I danced away the pain, the betrayal, the humiliation. I danced for the girl I used to be, for the woman I was becoming. My body remembered the movements, the fluidity, the joy. It was a release, a catharsis, a profound act of self-expression. It was like breathing for the first time in years.

Later that evening, my phone buzzed. A notification. Deryl Sexton had sent me a friend request on social media. I hesitated for a moment, then accepted. Almost immediately, another message popped up.

"You were incredible today, Kylie. Seriously. You have a gift. I can' t wait to see what you bring to the stage."

A warmth spread through my chest, a gentle, unfamiliar sensation. It wasn't the frantic, intense heat of Jax's possessive gaze. It was a soft, steady glow. A feeling of being seen, truly seen, for my talent, for my passion, for me.

I walked to the park, the setting sun painting the sky in hues of orange and purple. I sat on a bench, a profound sense of peace washing over me. For the first time in a very long time, I felt whole. I was Kylie Baxter, a dancer, a chef, a woman building her own life, on her own terms. The past was a distant echo, finally silenced.