Emily's betrayal not only snatched away his trust in love but also left a deep void within him, an invisible wound that throbbed with every memory of her.
He shut himself in his room, his gaze lost at the window. Outside, the rain beat persistently against the glass, as if to remind him of his own pain. Melancholy enveloped him like a heavy cloak. He didn't want to talk to anyone.
However, his mother didn't need words to understand what was happening. She knew her son too well. She saw him come home with his shoulders slumped, his gaze dim and completely shattered. She didn't know exactly what was happening to him, but her instinct told her that Scott's pain was not superficial. She didn't ask, she didn't insist, she just was there, watching him in silence, looking for a way to help him without invading his space.
That same night, as they ate dinner in silence, she casually dropped the news.
"Scott, I think a change of scenery would do us good," she said naturally. "I've been thinking about taking a trip. A few days away from the city, surrounded by nature."
Scott looked up from his plate, surprised. The idea of moving, of feigning a normalcy he didn't feel, churned his stomach. He wanted to reject it immediately; he wasn't in the mood for anything, neither for landscapes nor for pretending to be well. But in his mother's eyes there was something different: a warm sweetness, an unwavering affection, as if she already knew he needed that escape before he could admit it.
"I don't know, Mom…" he murmured, his voice barely a thread. "Do you really think that would help? It's just… I don't feel like doing anything."
His mother gave him a patient smile, not forcing him.
"A break will do us both good, son. Sometimes, a change of scenery helps to change perspective. How about we look for a quiet place, where you can breathe and be with yourself?"
Scott looked at her intently. She wasn't scolding him, she wasn't forcing him, she was simply offering him a way out, an opportunity to process his pain in a different environment. The idea of "being with himself" in a new place, without the walls of his room that seemed to shrink around him, began to sound less terrible.
"And where would we go?" he asked, a spark of curiosity, minimal but present, lighting up in his eyes.
"I've seen a beautiful place between mountains and crystal-clear rivers. Ideal for disconnecting. A few days, just us. Are you up for it?"
There was a long silence. Scott weighed the idea, the tiredness in his shoulders seemed to lighten a little with each word from his mother. Finally, with a sigh that released some of the weight in his chest, he nodded.
Thus, mother and son embarked on the journey. The destination: a hidden paradise between mountains and crystal-clear rivers. From the moment he got out of the car and the fresh air filled his lungs, Scott knew his mother was right. There was something healing about that place.
Days passed by exploring wild-flower covered paths, listening to the murmur of the water, and feeling the sun caress their faces. Little by little, the weight in his chest began to lighten. It wasn't overnight, but with each sunset shared by the lake, with each sincere laugh and each light conversation, he felt his heart hurt less.
Then he truly felt it: something inside him was being released, as if the fresh breeze and the murmur of the water were cleansing his invisible wounds.
That night, they lay on the grass, contemplating a starry sky that seemed to extend to infinity. The silence between them was not uncomfortable, but comforting. And then, his mother's voice rose in the darkness, soft but firm, like a lighthouse in the midst of the storm.
"Son," she said in a low voice, with that tenderness only a mother can convey, "life will throw obstacles at us, break our hearts, and make us feel lost. But even in the deepest darkness, there is always a light. Every fall is a lesson, every challenge, an opportunity. What matters is not how many times you fall, but the strength with which you choose to get up."
Scott remained silent; his eyes fixed on the twinkling stars. His mother's words resonated in his chest, warm and true, but the idea of "getting up" seemed so immense at that moment. He felt as if he were being asked to climb a mountain with his feet tied. A knot formed in his throat, and for an instant, the weight of Emily returned.
"But, Mom… what if it hurts too much?" his voice was barely a whisper, laden with a vulnerability he hadn't allowed himself to show in days. "What if that light… doesn't appear? I feel like… I lost so much, that it's hard for me to believe in anything other than this emptiness. How do you find that strength?"
His mother moved slightly, her hand seeking Scott's in the darkness. She squeezed it gently, a gesture that conveyed more comfort than a thousand words.
"That strength isn't something you find suddenly, son. It's not a key you expect someone to give you. It's born from within you, little by little. It's born when you decide that your pain isn't going to define you. It's born from every step you take, however small. That light is always there, Scott. Sometimes it's very faint, like a distant star you barely see, but if you keep looking, if you keep searching, it gets brighter."
Scott assimilated her words. The image of the distant star. He felt identified. "And how do you keep looking? When everything seems… so meaningless," Scott insisted, the echo of his own voice in the immensity of the night. His mind, accustomed to solving logical problems, struggled to find an equation for pain.
"You look for it in the small things, darling. In the beauty of this sky, in the murmur of the river, in the affection of those who love you. You look for it in your dreams, Scott. Those that no one can take away from you. Life is a blank canvas after every storm, and you have the colors to paint whatever you want. And don't worry if it takes you a while to see the light, or if you fall several times. The important thing is that you don't stop painting. That you don't stop trying."
Scott breathed deeply, a long sigh that released some of the weight he felt. He looked at his mother, his eyes shining with a mixture of gratitude and an incipient hope. He understood what she was telling him; it wasn't a magic solution, but a path, a process. And for the first time in a long time, the idea of taking those small steps didn't seem so terrifying.
"You're right, Mom," he said with conviction, a genuine smile appearing on his lips. "I'm not going to let anything stop me. I'll keep going, no matter what happens. I'll focus on my dreams and make them come true."
His mother gently took his hand and squeezed it tenderly, conveying all her love in that simple gesture. They needed no more words. Under that immense sky, Scott understood that life continued and that the future still held wonderful moments for him.
──•─•──•✦•──•─•──•
Returning to university was not easy for Scott. Every corner of the campus was an echo of his past with Emily: the shared laughs in the library, the sunset strolls through the gardens, the endless talks in the cafeteria. But he would not allow memories to chain him. No more distractions. No more emotional detours. He had learned the hard way that, at that point in his life, love was nothing more than a mirage that pulled him away from his true dreams.
For days, he tried to convince himself that his decision was the right one. He repeated over and over: "Love can wait. My goals cannot." He walked through the hallways with the determination of someone who had decided not to look back, dodging any possibility of crossing paths with her. It was not time to get lost in fleeting feelings, but to build a solid future. Success did not come by chance, but with discipline and effort. And Scott was willing to give his all.
With that mindset, he immersed himself in his studies. He pushed himself harder than ever, spending sleepless nights, devouring books and solving complex problems until dawn. The reward was not long in coming: his grades soared and the university granted him a scholarship in recognition of his effort. But his life could not be reduced solely to numbers and theory.
In his free time, he found refuge in his technology workshop, surrounded by circuits, breadboards, and flashing screens. There, along with his best friend Charlie, he designed prototypes and dreamed of innovations that could change the world.
"If we manage to perfect this prototype, we could present it at the next technology fair," Charlie said one night, his eyes shining with excitement.
"Not only that," Scott replied, adjusting some wires on the motherboard. "If we take it further, we could patent the idea and attract investors. Can you imagine?"
Both laughed, aware that the path would not be easy, but also that it was worth treading. In those moments, Scott understood that his true purpose went beyond the pain of the past: the excitement of creating, of innovating, of building something of his own.
As time passed, he not only became an outstanding student but a benchmark within the university. His projects earned him awards and recognition among classmates and professors. Each achievement brought him one step closer to his dream, and his passion for innovation became the engine that drove his days.
Finally, the big day arrived: graduation. In cap and gown, Scott received his degree in electronic engineering with honors. From the other end of the stage, he saw Charlie smile, both aware that that moment was not the end, but the beginning of a new adventure.
Job offers were not long in coming, and although each took different paths in the workplace, they never stopped working together on personal projects.
"No matter how many projects we develop for other companies," Scott said one night, looking at the blueprint of his most recent invention. "Our true destiny is to build something of our own, something great."
"No doubt, brother," Charlie affirmed, raising his glass in an impromptu toast. "This is just the beginning."
That moment marked the beginning of a new stage. Over time, Scott and Charlie would continue to pursue their dream of founding their own company, facing challenges and opportunities that would shape their future. The world did not yet know what was to come, and neither did they. But if anything was certain, it was that their passion and determination would take them far.
──•─•──•✦•──•─•──•
During the January holidays, the sun shone intensely over the golden sand beach, where the waves whispered softly as they broke on the shore. The sea breeze caressed Scott's skin, bringing with it the salty aroma of the ocean and the distant echo of laughter and conversations. Beside his mother, he enjoyed the tranquility under the shade of an umbrella, letting the sound of seagulls and the murmur of tourists mingle with the serenity of the moment.
"Scott, go buy some drinks, please," his mother asked him with a kind smile.
He nodded and stood up, shaking the sand from his legs. The warmth of the sand filtered between his toes as he walked towards a small drinks stand. Halfway there, he felt his sunglasses slide down the bridge of his nose. He tried to catch them quickly, but in his haste, he didn't notice a girl coming in the opposite direction. The collision was inevitable.
"Oh, no!" he exclaimed, feeling the impact. A light body fell onto the sand, and without thinking, he extended a hand to help her up. "I'm so sorry. Are you okay?"
Her fingers delicately brushed Scott's, and when their gazes met, a shiver ran down his spine. Her fair skin contrasted with the golden warmth of the sun, and her crystalline blue eyes reflected the sky itself with an almost hypnotic serenity. A lock of her dark brown hair fell across her face as she adjusted, moving it away with a natural gesture.
"Yes, I'm fine. Don't worry," she replied with a soft, crystalline laugh, shaking some sand from her hands. Her voice, Scott thought, reminded him of his mother's, that comforting tone that felt like home, something that calmed. She, for her part, noticed the genuine apology in his eyes, an unexpected contrast to the clumsiness of the collision.
Scott remained silent, feeling a strange tingling in his stomach. It was as if the warmth of her laughter awakened an old sensation, an echo of happy times.
"Seriously, it was my fault, I wasn't looking where I was going…" she added with a shy smile, noticing the fixedness in his gaze.
"Me neither," Scott replied with a brief laugh, heat rising to his cheeks. The air between them vibrated with a pleasant tension.
It felt strange looking at her. It wasn't just the voice. There was something in her expression, in the way she tilted her head with curiosity, that reminded him even more of his mother.
"Are you going to the drinks stand?" he asked, seeing that she had taken a step in that direction.
"Yes… actually, I was going back for my wallet. I forgot it when I came with my friends," she explained, laughing softly. How scatterbrained I am, she thought, feeling a pang of shame.
Scott couldn't help but smile. There was something pure in her, something genuine.
"Certainly… what's your name?" she asked, feeling a sudden need to know his name.
Scott froze for a second, surprised he hadn't introduced himself earlier. He scratched the back of his neck in embarrassment.
"Scott… Scott is my name," he said with a slight smile.
He paused briefly before looking at her kindly.
"And now that I've had the honor of introducing myself… may I know your name?"
She observed him for an instant, noticing the sincerity in his tone. She felt a quick beat in her chest. That boy, with his intense gaze and charming clumsiness, seemed strangely familiar to her. A soft smile appeared on her lips before she responded sweetly:
"My name is Rose."
Scott observed her for an instant, still marveling at the luminous energy she radiated. There was a natural sweetness in her, a pure innocence that illuminated her expression.
Then, without thinking too much, he said with a smile:
"Rose… a beautiful name for someone so radiant."
She smiled, while her cheeks acquired a subtle blush. She looked down for an instant, the compliment had taken her by surprise and made her feel a shiver of pleasure.
They walked together to the drinks stand, and although the journey was short, to Scott it seemed eternal. The sun shone more brightly on them, or at least he felt it did. The conversation flowed with surprising naturalness, as if they had known each other forever. Rose, for her part, felt an unusual lightness. Scott's presence, the way he looked at her, made her feel comfortable and curious at the same time.
At the drinks stand, Scott bought three drinks and gave the most expensive one to Rose.
"Oh, this is too much…" she commented with a shy giggle, holding the cold bottle between her fingers.
"Consider it my way of making up for knocking you to the ground," Scott joked with a crooked smile.
Rose looked at him intently and, suddenly, let out a genuine, joyful laugh. Scott felt a warmth rise in his chest. He couldn't help but laugh with her. For the first time in a long time, he felt like a child again, carefree and full of emotion.
Scott, distracted by Rose's presence, almost stumbled, causing another contagious laugh. He felt his heart pounding.
"You're clumsier than you look," she teased between laughs.
"Only when a beautiful girl distracts me," he replied without thinking.
She closed her eyes and let out another sweet laugh, covering her mouth with her hand. Near the drinks stand, they found a couple of empty seats in the sand and sat down, with the waves gently breaking nearby.
"So…" Scott began, taking a sip of his drink. "What brings you here?"
Rose smiled, the reflection of the sun on the water dancing in her eyes.
"Vacation. I'm from a city that's a bit… gray, to be honest. I needed a change of scenery, a bit of sun and salt. I wanted to take new photos, capture that feeling of freedom. And you?"
"Something similar," Scott admitted, his gaze getting lost on the horizon for an instant. "My mother insisted that a trip would do me good. And she was right. The air here… it's different. Photos? So you're a photographer?"
"It's my passion. I love telling stories with images. Capturing the essence of a moment, a person, a landscape. What about you? What do you do when you're not knocking people over on the beach?" Rose asked, a spark of mischief in her voice.
Scott let out a genuine laugh. Her laugh… it's like music, he thought.
"Ah, that. Well, my life is a bit more… logical. I'm an electronic engineer. I spend my time designing prototypes, creating things. My dream is to innovate, to build something that truly makes a difference."
Rose's eyes lit up.
"How interesting! I love people with passion. What kind of things do you design? Crazy inventions?"
Scott leaned a little towards her, enthusiasm coloring his words.
"Well, not that crazy. For now, we focus on more efficient energy systems, AI technology applied to everyday life… You know, things that could gradually change the world. In fact, my friend Charlie and I have a prototype that we're sure is going to be a hit."
Rose listened with fascination, her chin resting in the palm of her hand. She felt completely absorbed by Scott's energy.
"That sounds amazing, Scott. It's admirable to see someone so dedicated to their dreams. I, with my photos, feel the same way. It's like the world takes on another color when I'm behind the lens."
"Exactly," Scott nodded, feeling a deep connection with her words. He had rarely found someone who understood that intensity of passion. "It's more than a job, isn't it? It's… a part of you."
"Totally. It's your purpose. Tell me, what are your biggest challenges right now with those projects? Is there anything that keeps you awake at night?" Rose joked, her smile dazzling.
Scott laughed; the sound of his laughter so carefree he almost didn't recognize it.
"Well… there are a few technical problems to solve, and funding is always a challenge. But I guess the biggest obstacle is sometimes doubt. Is it good enough? Will it really work? But then I think about why I started, about the impact it could have, and that gives me the push."
Rose looked at him tenderly.
"Doubt is part of the path, Scott. It's what makes us strive harder. But from what you tell me, your passion is so great that no doubt can overcome you."
They stayed a while longer in silence, the sun began to paint the sky orange. The sound of seagulls and the murmur of tourists mingled with the rhythm of their breaths. The conversation had flowed with astonishing naturalness, as if they had skipped years of introductions and superficial talks. Scott felt a lightness in his chest he hadn't remembered experiencing in a long time. With Rose, there was no need for filters, no fears. It was simply him.
They were so absorbed in their bubble that Scott didn't notice the time. He checked his watch and was alarmed.
"Dang it! My mother…" he murmured, standing up clumsily.
Before leaving, he took a breath and gathered his courage.
"Would you like me to tell you more about my inventions? Maybe we could talk later," he said, the question more an invitation, his gaze full of a hope he barely dared to show.
Rose smiled, excited, and nodded quickly. Of course, she thought, of course I want to.
"Of course! I'd love to," she replied, writing down her number on his phone, feeling an enthusiasm she hadn't remembered feeling in a long time.
Scott hurried away, running back to his mother. As he walked away, Rose remained watching him with a sweet expression, as if she wanted to keep that moment in her memory. Her lips formed a tender smile, exuding a special warmth that reflected the genuine joy he had caused her.
His mother waited for him with her arms crossed and an expression of feigned severity.
"Where were you?" she asked with a raised eyebrow, curiously.
"There was a long line at the stand," Scott lied, trying to maintain his composure while his heart still beat strongly.
His mother observed him carefully and then smiled tenderly.
"Son, you look radiant… like a child winning his first prize. Did you meet someone special?" she asked mischievously.
He looked away and shrugged.
"It's nothing… She's just a nice girl. Nothing more."
But his mother already knew the truth. She saw it in his bright eyes, in his disguised smile. She didn't insist, she just laughed to herself.
That night, Scott and Rose exchanged messages until the early hours of the morning. There was no nervousness, only trust, as if they were two souls destined to meet. When Scott told her he would be leaving soon, Rose grew sad. She thought he lived there, and the news took her by surprise.
"So… you're leaving already?" she typed, with a small sigh.
Scott felt a pang in his chest. He didn't want to say goodbye. He didn't want this to end.
"We still have time. Let's talk until sleep overtakes us" he replied, smiling at the screen.
And so, they did, losing themselves in a world of words, while the night breeze lulled their newly intertwined hearts. Scott smiled in the darkness, knowing that, this time, the light he had just found was real, unmistakable.
──•─•──•✦•──•─•──•
Six months of tireless work, sleepless nights, and sacrifices had transformed Scott's life. His effort had borne fruit in a way he never imagined. He now enjoyed success, with a privileged position and unexpected recognition: his company had chosen him to be honored at a technological innovation event, alongside other great visionaries in the sector. Monday would be the big day, and he quickly made a decision. He wanted Rose to be with him, to witness how far he had come. Without thinking twice, he bought her a plane ticket.
The night before the event, he arrived at the airport. He felt his hands were slightly damp as he watched the arrivals screen. He took a deep breath, trying to calm the acceleration of his heart, but it was useless. As soon as he saw her emerge from the disembarkation gate, everything around him vanished.
Rose's brown hair moved delicately with each step, and her eyes shone with a mixture of tiredness and emotion. The moment their gazes met; the world seemed to stop. There were no words, only a smile that spoke more than any speech. Scott advanced a few steps and, without hesitation, embraced her tightly.
Rose sank into his chest, and in that instant, he knew it was all worth it. She closed her eyes and her trembling breath brushed against his neck. Her scent, the warmth of her skin, the way her arms wrapped around him… Everything about her felt like coming home.
"I missed you," she whispered against his shoulder.
Scott smiled, feeling the weight of the last few months slide from his shoulders, vanishing like the smoke from an extinguished candle.
"I missed you more…" he murmured with a barely perceptible smile. "I missed the sound of your laughter threading through my thoughts, the echo of your voice in the silence of my nights, the way the world seemed less cold when you were near."
Rose lifted her face, and in her gaze, there was a tenderness that no words could contain. "I was always here," she whispered.
Scott caressed her cheek with his fingertips, as if he wanted to memorize every line of her face.
"I know. But the time without you was like an eternal winter… and now, with you here, I feel that spring has finally arrived."
When they separated, though with some difficulty, their eyes met with that connection only they understood. Scott took her suitcase and, with an elegant gesture, opened the door of a taxi that waited at the exit. Rose gave him a smile before getting in and settling into the back seat. He got in afterward, closing the door behind him.
The car started smoothly, immersing them in the night illuminated by the soft light of the streetlights. The silence between them was not uncomfortable, quite the opposite. It was a stillness laden with meaning, as if words were unnecessary. The city passed by the window, but neither paid attention.
Their bodies, almost by inertia, began to draw closer. Scott's arm brushed Rose's, causing a slight shiver in both. She turned her face, and their cheeks met in a barely perceptible brush, but intense enough to make the air inside the taxi dense, charged with electricity.
Their breaths mingled. Scott could feel the warmth of her skin, the softness of her closeness. Their lips were a few centimeters apart. Their eyes met in a silent pact, and for an instant, it seemed that destiny had something more prepared for them…
But then, a glance in the rearview mirror interrupted them.
The taxi driver observed them with a curious expression, his small eyes shining under the dim light of the dashboard.
Scott cleared his throat and abruptly moved away, clumsily bumping against the taxi door. Rose tried to stifle her laughter, but ended up letting out a choked giggle as she covered her mouth with her hand.
Scott let out a nervous laugh, running a hand through his hair in an unsuccessful attempt to compose himself.
The driver, an elderly man with a wool cap, gave them an amused look in the rearview mirror.
"Looks like you've had a good night" he commented in a husky voice with a hint of mischief.
Scott smiled, while Rose leaned slightly against his shoulder.
"Yes, you could say it's been an interesting night."
The tension gradually vanished, like fog dissipating with the first rays of sun. Scott extended his hand, and Rose naturally took it. As the taxi moved through the wet streets, the city lights reflected on the shining pavement, illuminating with golden flashes what for them was only the beginning of something much bigger.