Unfinished Affairs: The Dark Secrets

Chapter 2: Three Years Later

The day Noah received the job offer from one of New York City's top real estate firms was a day of triumph and excitement. He had been working tirelessly to reach this point in his career, pushing himself at every opportunity, and finally, his efforts had paid off. The email with the official offer had come in the late afternoon, and Noah had practically burst through the door of their small apartment, his face alight with joy.

"Sophia!" he called out, the words almost a shout. "Soph, where are you?"

Sophia came rushing out of the kitchen, a dish towel still in her hands, her brows drawn in curiosity. "Noah, what's going on?" she asked, a smile already starting to form at the corners of her lips.

Noah grinned, holding up his phone like a trophy. "We're moving to New York! I got the job, Sophia. They want me to start as soon as possible." He crossed the room in just a few strides, gathering her into his arms and spinning her around. "We're really doing it. New York City!"

Sophia laughed, her hands resting on his shoulders as she looked into his eyes. "Noah, that's incredible. I knew you could do it!" she said, sharing in his excitement, feeling the contagious energy that radiated from him. She hugged him tightly, knowing how much this opportunity meant to him, to them both.

For Noah, this was a dream come true. For Sophia, it was a new chapter—a chance to start over, to find something more meaningful for herself, and to support the man she loved in his ambitions.

The move happened quickly, a whirlwind of packing, goodbyes, and the rush of adjusting to a new city. Their apartment on the Upper West Side was small, but it was cozy and had a charm that Sophia loved. It had large windows that let in plenty of light, a view of the bustling street below, and just enough room for the two of them to make it their own.

Noah threw himself into his new job immediately. He would leave early in the mornings, impeccably dressed, with a determined look in his eyes, and return late in the evenings, exhausted but exhilarated. He was thriving in his new environment, surrounded by successful, ambitious people, and each day brought new opportunities that pushed him to prove himself.

Sophia watched as he spoke about his work with an enthusiasm that was infectious. He would sit across from her at their small dining table, recounting every detail of his day—how he had impressed the senior partners, the properties he had visited, the clients he had met. She smiled and listened, genuinely proud of him, admiring the passion he had for what he was doing.

But as time went on, Sophia couldn't ignore the loneliness that had started to grow inside her. While Noah was out building his career, she found herself spending her days alone, trying to find her place in the sprawling city. She had decided not to look for work immediately, wanting to take some time to explore and get a feel for New York. But it wasn't as easy as she had hoped. The city felt overwhelming at times—its pace, its noise, the sheer number of people. She would wander through Central Park, visit the museums, and sit in coffee shops, watching the world move around her, but always feeling as though she was on the outside looking in.

Noah tried to be there for her as much as he could. He encouraged her to find something she loved, to explore her interests, to take advantage of all the opportunities that the city had to offer. He was attentive, always asking how her day had been, always making sure she knew how much she meant to him. Sophia appreciated it, and she tried to show him that she was happy, that she was adjusting, that she was just as excited about their future as he was. But there were moments—quiet moments, when she was alone in the apartment—when the doubt crept in, and she wondered if she was truly where she was meant to be.

A few months after moving to New York, Noah came home with news that changed everything. He walked through the door, a broad grin on his face, a bottle of champagne in his hand. His suit jacket was slung over his shoulder, and he looked more alive than Sophia had seen him in weeks.