Page 121

Not nervous, Lexy. You’re excited. Reframe that shit just like what you did with those painful memories.

In the past few weeks, whenever I had a splitting headache followed by brief flashes of memories, instead of focusing on the pain, I’d tell myself this was good because this was progress. The medical trial must be working.

Blowing out a breath, I eye Ethan’s spacious apartment inside the sprawling metropolis that’s The Orchid. A few of us are gathered here today for the interview segment of Project Dreamer after Ethan approved the budget three weeks ago. The team thought an informal interview at his place would make the CFO more approachable.

I come from money, but even I can’t help but be impressed with the dark marble floors, the high ceilings, the modern crystal chandeliers and sleek leather furnishings.

Ethan has good taste.

Needing to keep myself busy, I pull out my phone and read Polaris’s latest message.

To:[email protected]

From:[email protected]

Subject: RE: Missing Pieces

What does your heart tell you?

I’m sure people in your life have tried to give you advice—forget your past, focus on your future.Maybe you have a voice inside, urging you to fill that hole in your heart because you’ve lost too much already.

I wish I could give you an answer. But in the end, whatIwant doesn’t matter.

Onlyyoumatter.

My breath catches and my heart skips a beat. He means it—onlyImatter. Somewhere along the way, Polaris has become more than a friend. Sometimes, I feel like we share a soul and he pulls my thoughts right out of me.

I’m sure there are beautiful memories in your past—moments you probably want to remember. Maybe you’re right, and somewhere in those missing years, there’s someone who loves you.

But if that person truly loves you, he’d want you to follow your heart. To do what makes you happy. To chase whatever brings you peace, whether that’s the past, the future, or something entirely new.

If he loves you, wherever he is, he’llwait.

You shared a secret with me once. I think it’s only fair I share a few of my own.

Someone once told me she believed in serendipity, fate, and magic. That no matter where life led her, fate would take her to the right path, the right person, the right treasure. I laughed at her. I was pragmatic. Logical.

But it was beautiful—watching her live as if something wonderful could happen at any moment.

Because of her, I started believing in fate. Making wishes. Dreaming. And against all logic, some of those unrealistic dreams came true.

Whoever this woman was, Polaris must have loved her so much. A knot twists inside me, offset by an inexplicable yearning. Am I jealous of her? Am I also grieving for him?

So here’s what I want to tell you.

That empty space in your heart? The right person will fill it.

Because fate.

Whatever you choose, I support you. Because more than anything,Iwant you to be happy.

Always,

Polaris

P.S. One last secret—Our pen pal correspondence was supposed to end long ago. You’ve reintegrated in to society. You’re thriving.

But I didn’t.