A New Beginning [POV: Hannah]
The soft glow of morning sunlight streamed through the sheer curtains, casting warm patterns across the room. Hannah stirred awake, stretching lazily, her body sinking deeper into the plush mattress. It had been months since she’d felt this kind of peace, waking up without the weight of her past crushing her chest.
Then, something caught her eye.
A bouquet of fresh lilies and roses sat on the bedside table, their petals vibrant, delicate, untouched. Next to them was a small box wrapped in elegant paper, and a folded note tucked neatly beside it.
Her brows furrowed as she reached for the note, unfolding it with careful fingers.
“Happy One Month Anniversary. Take the day off. Meet me at Le Château at 7 PM. Wear the dress—I saw it and knew it would look divine on you.”
There was no signature, but she didn’t need one.
A slow smile crept onto her lips as she traced the words with her fingertips, her heart swelling with something she hadn’t allowed herself to feel in a long time.
Love.
Nate had been patient with her, never pushing, never demanding more than she was willing to give. He had taken her at her worst and still looked at her like she was something worth holding onto. He never made her feel ashamed of where she came from, never made her feel like she needed to change for him.
But now?
Now, she wanted to.
Not because he asked. Not because he expected it.
But because, for the first time, she wanted to be better. For herself. For him. For their future.
Hannah swallowed the lump in her throat and reached for the gift box, untying the ribbon with slightly trembling hands.
Inside, nestled in tissue paper, was the most stunning dress she had ever owned. Deep emerald green, silky, elegant yet subtly daring. She held it up against her body, stepping in front of the mirror, her reflection staring back at her.
She barely recognized herself.
The woman in the mirror wasn’t the girl who used to dance on a stage for money. She wasn’t the girl who barely made ends meet, living off cheap vodka and empty promises.
She was someone new.
And tonight, she was going to embrace that.
A soft breath left her lips as she smoothed the fabric between her fingers.
But first—she had one last thing to do.
She needed to close this chapter of her life.
Her perfect pair of heels, the ones that would go flawlessly with the dress, were still at the club.
And it made perfect sense.
She would go there, file her resignation, collect her things, and walk out for good.
A clean break.
One final goodbye.
Hannah grabbed her purse, slipped on a coat, and ran her fingers through her hair.
For the first time in years, she felt hopeful.
She was ready to leave her old life behind.
And tonight, she would walk into a new one.
