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Chapter 6: A New Beginning

The days turned into weeks, and Milli found herself in unfamiliar territory. No longer was she waking up to the cold, unkind streets of the slums. Instead, she opened her eyes to warm sunlight spilling through the expansive windows of Landon’s penthouse. The world she had entered felt like a dream—soft beds, endless food, and the safety she had long since forgotten.

But comfort didn’t erase the scars of her past.

“This is where you’ll start,” Landon said one morning, gesturing to the desk in the study. A thick journal sat on its polished surface. “Write about your life—everything. It’s not for anyone else, just you. It might help you process things.”

Milli hesitated, staring at the leather-bound book. “What’s the point? Writing it down won’t change anything.”

Landon leaned against the desk, his gaze steady. “You’d be surprised. Sometimes, seeing your pain on paper makes it easier to leave it behind.”

Reluctantly, she picked up the journal and opened the first page. The blank space felt intimidating as if it were silently challenging her to face her own demons. With a shaky hand, she wrote, "I am more than my past."

The days that followed were a mix of challenges and small victories. Landon was patient but firm, guiding Milli through a routine to rebuild her strength. He insisted on healthy meals, regular exercise, and a complete break from the toxic people who had once surrounded her.

“You’re not just surviving anymore, Milli,” he said during one of their morning walks in the park. “You’re living.”

Still, the transformation wasn’t easy. There were moments when the weight of her old life felt unbearable. One night, Milli sat on the bathroom floor, tears streaming down her face. She was overwhelmed by memories of the choices she’d made, the people she’d hurt, and the years she’d wasted.

Landon found her there, silent and trembling. Without a word, he sat beside her, offering his presence as a lifeline. “You’re allowed to feel this way,” he said softly. “Healing isn’t a straight path. But you’re not alone in it anymore.”

Her tears slowed, and for the first time, she believed him.

As the weeks passed, Milli began rediscovering parts of herself she thought were lost forever. She had a natural talent for art, and Landon encouraged her to pursue it. She filled sketchbooks with vivid drawings—some of her old life, others of the dreams she now dared to imagine.

One afternoon, Landon found her working on a piece that captured his attention. It was a drawing of two figures standing back-to-back, their hands almost touching but not quite.

“It’s beautiful,” he said, sitting down beside her. “What does it mean?”

Milli hesitated before answering. “It’s… us. We feel connected, but there’s still this… space between us. I don’t know if I’ll ever be able to close it.”

Landon’s expression softened. “The space doesn’t scare me, Milli. As long as we’re moving forward, even little by little, we’ll get there.”

She looked at him, her heart aching with gratitude and fear. “I don’t want to let you down.”

“You couldn’t,” he said firmly. “Not even if you tried.”

That evening, as Milli sat on the balcony overlooking the city, she thought about how much her life had changed quickly. She didn’t know if she could ever truly escape her past, but for the first time, she felt like she had a future.

And maybe, just maybe, she wouldn’t have to face it alone.

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