Chapter 4 Learning to live again

Nathan sat on the worn-out couch in his apartment, the silence pressing against him. He had spent years drowning in the constant noise of work-emails, meetings, deals. Now, there was nothing but the quiet, and he wasn't sure what to do with it.

The meeting with Emma had gone better than expected, but one conversation wasn't enough to undo years of absence. He knew that. Still, it was a start.

His phone buzzed on the coffee table. He picked it up and saw a message from Alex.

Alex: Meet me at the shop tomorrow morning. 9 AM.

Nathan stared at the message. He hadn't agreed to anything yet. What exactly did Alex expect from him?

For a long moment, he debated ignoring it. But then he thought of Emma-the way she had hesitated before agreeing to that walk, the way she had tested him with her cautious trust.

If she could give him a second chance, maybe he could give himself one too.

He sighed and typed back a simple response.

Nathan: I'll be there.

---

The Next Morning

Nathan arrived at a small, unassuming storefront tucked between a bakery and a bookstore. The sign above the door read: Second Chances Woodworks.

He pushed the door open, and the scent of sawdust and varnish filled the air. Wooden furniture lined the space-tables, chairs, and shelves, all handmade.

Alex stood near a workbench, sanding down a chair leg. He looked up as Nathan entered.

"Didn't think you'd show," Alex said with a smirk.

Nathan shrugged. "Figured I had nothing better to do."

Alex chuckled. "Good. Then grab an apron."

Nathan hesitated. "You want me to work?"

Alex raised an eyebrow. "What, you thought we were just gonna sit around and talk about life? Sometimes, the best way to rebuild yourself is to build something with your hands."

Nathan sighed but stepped forward, taking the apron Alex handed him.

"Ever worked with wood before?" Alex asked.

"No. I've worked with numbers," Nathan muttered. "Balance sheets. Investments. Risk management."

Alex handed him a piece of sandpaper. "Well, today, you're working with this. Start sanding."

Nathan stared at the rough wooden plank in front of him. He had no idea what he was doing, but for some reason, he started anyway.

---

An Hour Later

Nathan's hands were covered in dust, his arms sore from the repetitive motion. He had spent the last hour sanding the same piece of wood, and yet it still didn't look like much.

"This is pointless," he muttered.

Alex chuckled. "No, it's patience. Something you're not used to."

Nathan exhaled, setting the sandpaper down. "What is this supposed to teach me, exactly?"

Alex leaned against the workbench. "You've spent your life chasing quick wins. Fast deals. High rewards. But some things take time. You can't rush this. You have to trust the process."

Nathan scoffed. "And what, this is supposed to be some metaphor for my life?"

Alex grinned. "Something like that."

Nathan shook his head but picked up the sandpaper again. He didn't fully understand why he was here, but for some reason, he wasn't ready to leave yet either.

---

Later That Evening

Nathan sat in his apartment again, but this time, he didn't feel as restless. His hands ached, his muscles sore in a way he hadn't felt in years.

He glanced at his phone. No emails. No calls.

Then, a notification popped up. A text from Emma.

Emma: Hey... I had fun yesterday. Maybe we can do it again sometime?

Nathan stared at the message, a small smile forming.

Maybe Alex was right. Maybe rebuilding wasn't about rushing to the finish line. Maybe it was about showing up. Every day. Even when it felt impossible.

He typed back a response.

Nathan: I'd love that.

As he set the phone down, he felt something he hadn't felt in a long time.

Hope.

---

End of Chapter Four