"𝘚𝘰𝘮𝘦𝘵𝘪𝘮𝘦𝘴, 𝘩𝘰𝘮𝘦 𝘪𝘴 𝘸𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦 𝘸𝘦 𝘧𝘪𝘯𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘱𝘪𝘦𝘤𝘦𝘴 𝘰𝘧 𝘰𝘶𝘳𝘴𝘦𝘭𝘷𝘦𝘴 𝘸𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘰𝘶𝘨𝘩𝘵 𝘸𝘦𝘳𝘦 𝘭𝘰𝘴𝘵."
When heartbreak sends her back to the city where she was born and raised, Eleanor Marlowe returns to the...
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●'I'●'I'●'I'●'I'●'I'●'I'●
I linger in my childhood bedroom for a few more moments, taking in the memories that seem to linger in the air. Finally, I let out a breath and slowly rise from the bed, leaving the house. The drive to my parents' house feels familiar, yet different. When I pull into the driveway, I barely have time to turn off the car before the front door bursts open and little Riley comes running out, her pigtails bouncing with each hurried step. I climb out and squat down, bracing myself with a smile just as she crashes into my arms.
" Ele, you're here! " Riley squeals, her voice brimming with excitement. Her small arms wrap around my neck and I hold her close, cherishing her warmth, until she is the first to pull back, her face lighting up with pure joy.
Am I using the Disney hug rule with my sister whenever I can? Yes, I am.
" Mommy said you're staying! Are you really? " Riley's wide brown eyes sparkle with curiosity and I brush a stray hair strand from her face, my heart softening at the innocence she radiates.
" Yeah, my little sunflower, " I nod, the nickname slipping effortlessly from my lips. Riley has always been the bright, sunny force in our family and calling her my sunflower just... stuck. Her joy lifts everyone around her, even when the person had the worst day. " I'm staying, " I confirm.
Riley lets out another delighted squeal, bouncing up and down. Her joy elicits a chuckle from me, the sound a gentle reminder that happiness still exists, even if it's been hard to feel lately. But just as quickly as her excitement came, Riley's movements come to a halt. Her gaze shifts to my car, now filled with boxes, bags, and suitcases.
" Wait... " she says, peering at my packed belongings. " Where's Jake? " Riley asks innocently.
I stiffen, the question slicing through me. My hand instinctively reaches to fidget with the engagement ring that's no longer there. A pang of grief twists in my chest.
Shit, it's going to take some time to get used to a bare finger.
"Jake isn't here, Riley, " I start to speak softly. I glance at her big, questioning eyes and the tightness in my chest grows.
How do I explain heartbreak to a five-year-old?
" Why not? " she asks, her innocent curiosity twisting the knife a little deeper. I take a steadying breath, trying to keep the tears at bay. I know I can't tell her the full truth. She's too little to understand the betrayal, the pain, the reason why everything fell apart.
