Chapter 12 - THE PRICE OF BEING SOMEONE'S FIRST CHOICE
Kira's divorce was finalized months later.
The legal process was painful.
But she remained firm.
Blake didn't contest her decision.
He apologized.
Accepted responsibility.
And respected the boundaries she established.
Riley eventually moved away from New York.
Her friendship with Blake never returned to what it had been.
Not because he hated her.
But because he finally understood that a friendship built on emotional dependence could become destructive.
Meanwhile, Kira's career flourished.
The Hudson Valley project received funding.
Construction began.
And Ethan became a steady presence in her life.
He never rushed her.
Never demanded explanations.
Never treated her divorce as something she needed to apologize for.
One evening, they walked along the river.
Ethan stopped beside a railing.
“Kira.”
She looked up.
“Yes?”
“Can I ask you something?”
She smiled.
“Of course.”
He hesitated.
“Would you like to go on a real date?”
Kira laughed softly.
“A real date?”
He nodded.
“Dinner. No project plans. No funding discussions.”
She looked at him.
Then smiled.
“Yes.”
Ethan grinned.
“Good.”
And for the first time in years, Kira felt excited about being chosen.
May you like
Not because someone needed her.
Because someone wanted to know her.
