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29- It's fine to trust

29-

Each sip seemed to take her back to the moments they shared, to the laughter and

complicity they built together. The decision to break free clashed with the longing

for the connection they once shared. Jade found herself at a crossroads between

moving forward and holding on to the vestiges of what once was.

— Is it selfish to want my freedom? Am I being unfair by wanting to write my own story

without feeling tied to the past? — she questioned herself, looking for answers in the smoke

rising from her cup.

The internal struggle led her to reflect on the need to be true to herself. She

reminded herself that she deserved the opportunity to discover new experiences, to grow

and transform without the chains of the past.

— Maybe I'm on the right path. Maybe freedom is a gift I must give

to myself. But how do I do it without feeling guilty for leaving behind what I shared

with Everth? — she wondered, searching for answers in the lines of her own hand holding the cup.

Amidst turbulent thoughts, Jade felt she was in the midst of a metamorphosis, a

transition towards a more authentic version of herself. Although the past left its mark,

the possibility of a new beginning called to her strongly.

— Freedom sometimes hurts, but it is also liberating. I must find my way and

allow myself to embrace what destiny has in store for me. — Jade concluded, determined to

move on, but aware that the process would not be easy. With that determination, she

got up from the table, leaving behind the memories that bound her and embracing the

uncertainty of the future with courage.

Despite the joy Jade felt for the new direction her life was taking, she also

harbored a latent fear deep within her. The shadow of uncertainty loomed over her, and part of that fear was meant for Cris to discover more details about her past, especially her connection to Everth. Jade knew that Cris was involved in different aspects of life, and the idea that she might discover the complexity of her past history made her uneasy. She feared that by knowing the truth about Everth, Cris might judge her or even reject her. Vulnerability took over her thoughts every time the idea of revealing her past to Cris crossed her mind. “How will Cris react when she finds out who Everth was to me?” Jade wondered in a moment of introspection. Worry was reflected in her eyes, and a knot formed in her stomach at the possibility that the past could cloud the present. Fear lay not only in Cris’s reaction, but also in the shadow of her own history. Everth, though distant in time, represented a complex chapter that Jade longed to leave behind. The idea that this past could resurface and intertwine with her new connection with Cris filled her with anxiety.

— Can the past really be buried? Or is there always a way to resurface and affect the present? — Jade mused as she tried to find answers to her doubts.

Amidst the uncertainty, Jade struggled between sincerity and protecting her own heart. The idea of losing what she was building with Cris because of the ghosts of the past terrified her. However, she also understood the importance of transparency in a genuine connection.

— I want to be honest with Cris, but the fear of losing him paralyzes me. How can I explain to him who Everth was in my life without changing his perception of me? — Jade questioned herself, feeling the weight of a truth that, until now, she had kept jealously.

As the beach stretched out before her, Jade grappled with the duality of her desire for freedom and the burden of her past. The tangle of emotions became a labyrinth she had to confront, and resolving those conflicts would become a crucial step in her quest for an authentic and fulfilling life.

Meanwhile at Cris's apartment

Upon returning to her apartment, Cris found a chaotic scene that contrasted with the tranquility she sought in her home. The place was disorganized, as if a storm had passed through every corner. The chaos was evident, and the disturbing reality took hold of Cris as she realized she did not remember leaving her home in that state.

Cris walked through the rooms, observing out-of-place furniture, thrown objects, and a mess that contradicted her organized nature. The feeling of intrusion invaded her mind, and a question resonated strongly: How could this happen? The revelation that Samantha had copies of his keys took hold of his thoughts,

adding a layer of worry to the disconcerting situation. The possibility that

she had entered his personal space without his knowledge unsettled him, generating

a feeling of vulnerability that Cris had never experienced before.

“How did I get to this point?” Cris muttered to himself,

as he tried to piece together the puzzle of past events. Uncertainty

mixed with frustration, and the feeling of having lost control of his own space

bewildered him.

The apartment, once a refuge and sanctuary, had become a reflection of the

confusion unfolding in Cris’s life. As he picked up the scattered items and

tried to bring order back to the chaos, Cris’s mind was torn between the need to understand what had

happened and the urgency to address the growing tensions in his relationship with

Samantha.

“This goes beyond just a mess.” Something is changing, and I need to understand it before it is too late, Cris mused, feeling that the answers to her questions were hidden in the recesses of her own home. The search for the truth became a priority for Cris, who, between the disorder and uncertainty, faced a crossroads in which she had to reconcile past events with the present reality. Meanwhile, Jade's shadow, with her intriguing presence, remained in the background, adding an additional element of complexity to Cris's already tumultuous situation. While Cris waited for the locksmith to change the locks on her apartment, her eyes fell on the threatening note Samantha left behind. The words echoed in her mind, tinged with a hostility that Cris had not experienced before in their relationship. “This is just beginning,” the phrase clung to her consciousness like an ominous warning.

Intrigue and unease mixed within her, generating a storm of emotions

that further darkened the already murky outlook of her life.

The locksmith arrived, interrupting Cris’s thoughts. As the professional

worked on changing the locks, Cris couldn’t help but wonder what else the future held.

The decision to change the keys was a necessary step to regain some sense of

security, but uncertainty persisted.

“I can’t continue living with this shadow of threat. I need to understand what’s

going on and resolve it once and for all,” Cris murmured, determined to face the situation

head-on.

Once the locksmith completed his task, Cris found himself at the door of his home with

a bittersweet feeling. The move to change the locks symbolized an attempt to

take back control, but Samantha’s note remained a tangible reminder that

something was seriously wrong.

As Cris reflected on Samantha’s threatening note, deep questions

arose about the source of his anger. He remembered the times when,

even when they were together, Samantha showed signs of distance and disdain. The

unknown of why their relationship had reached this point tormented him, and the lack of

answers only added to the confusion.

“What changed between us? Before, every encounter with Samantha was a refuge, but

something broke along the way. Why did she always avoid my calls or ignore me when

we were together?” Cris wondered, trying to decipher the mysteries of their relationship. Each memory became a puzzle, and Cris tried to put the pieces together to understand the change in the dynamic between him and Samantha. Frustration grew as he realized that their once fluid communication had become a minefield of misunderstandings and awkward silences. Meanwhile, in a distant corner of the city, Samantha, wrapped in a mix of anger and spite, was plotting her own version of events. With her phone in her hand, she looked at social media and immersed herself in the digital world in search of clues that would confirm her suspicions. “He can’t move on so easily. Not after everything we’ve shared. There’s something else, and I’m going to find out,” Samantha murmured to herself, fueling her determination to uncover any secret Cris might be hiding from her. Social media became their battlefield, where every post and photo was scrutinized for clues. Every “like” from Cris generated a whirlwind of conflicting emotions in Samantha, from anger to sadness. “If he thinks he can just go on with his life like nothing happened, he’s sorely mistaken. I’m going to make him pay for this,” Samantha thought, feeding her resentment. While they both grappled with their own emotional dilemmas, fate wove an invisible thread that kept them connected, even if they were drifting in opposite directions. Unanswered questions and unresolved emotions hung in the air, waiting to be confronted at some inevitable moment.

As long as they struggled, Samantha was left with a to Jade…

Jade, with a mix of determination and curiosity, was reflecting on how she could begin

her path to financial independence. Despite the savings her grandmother left her,

she felt the need to build her own path and be a strong, self-sufficient woman.

— My grandmother left me these savings as a backup, but I know there is something else I

can do. I want to be independent, not just financially, but in every aspect. —

thought Jade as she immersed herself in her thoughts.

The idea of starting her own project settled in her mind. She remembered her passion for

photography, capturing moments and expressions with her camera. Could she turn that passion

into something more than just a hobby? The idea began to take shape.

— Maybe I could start offering photography services. There are so many people looking

to immortalize special moments, and I could be part of that. — Jade reflected,

visualizing the possibility of turning her passion into a source of income.

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