Chapter 5

In the days that followed, the house became quiet. Ethan and Amelia were often out, sometimes not returning until late at night. I stayed in my room, sketching, reading, preparing for my new life.

My high school graduation party was a week before my flight. I saw it as a final ritual, a farewell to my youth in Boston.

I saw Ethan there. He was with a group of his business partners, a glass of champagne in his hand, looking every bit the powerful CEO he was. Our eyes met for a second, and I quickly looked away.

I overheard some of my classmates whispering.

"Did you hear? Ethan Hayes and Amelia Vance are getting married."

"What about Ava? He's her guardian. Won't he be sad to see her go?"

"I heard him say it himself. She's an adult now. He won't be concerned with her life anymore."

The words didn't hurt. They were just... facts. His world no longer had a place for me, and my world would no longer revolve around him. It was a clean break.

Later, I was getting a drink when a slightly tipsy Ethan appeared in front of me. Before he could speak, Amelia glided to his side, wrapping her arm around his.

"Darling, I was looking for you," she cooed, resting her head on his shoulder.

Ethan's expression softened. He leaned down and kissed her forehead, a gesture of affection he had never shown me. Then, he scooped her up in a princess carry and walked away, leaving me standing there alone.

"Ava, are you okay? You have something in your eye," my friend Chloe asked, noticing my frozen state.

I blinked rapidly, forcing a smile. "It's just an eyelash."

"He used to dote on you so much," Chloe sighed, looking at their retreating figures. "Everyone thought you two would end up together."

"We have our own lives to live," I said, my voice surprisingly steady. "We can't be tied to each other forever."

When the party ended, I walked out into the cool night air. Ethan's car was parked by the curb. He and Amelia were waiting.

He got out of the car, his face grim. "It's late, Ava. You shouldn't have stayed out so long."

"Ethan, don't be so harsh," Amelia said, trying to mediate.

It started to drizzle. Ethan immediately opened an umbrella, holding it over Amelia's head, shielding her completely.

I remembered all the times he had held an umbrella for me, his arm protectively around my shoulders.

Now, I stood alone in the rain.

I didn't wait for them. I started walking, my steps steady and sure.

He used to call me his little rose, too fragile to face the world.

But from now on, I would be my own sunflower, always facing the light, even if it meant turning my back on the sun I once worshipped.