She Promised Her Boyfriend She’d Wait Two Years — Then a New Man Made Her Question Everything
Chapter 3
Working with Julian became addictive.
Not romantic.
At least Sophie refused to call it that.
They argued constantly.
They challenged each other.
They stayed up too late working on presentation models.
One night, Julian asked:
“What do you actually want?”
She looked up.
“From the project?”
“No.”
He pointed at her.
“From life.”
Sophie laughed.
“That’s a dangerous question.”
“Why?”
“Because I don’t know.”
Julian smiled.
“That’s the first honest answer you’ve given me.”
She looked at him.
“I have a boyfriend.”
“I know.”
“Then don’t ask questions like that.”
“I’m not asking you to leave him.”
He returned to his drawing.
“I’m asking you to stop pretending you already know who you’re going to become.”
The words stayed with her.
That night Adrian called.
He sounded tired.
“You’ve been busy.”
“I have.”
“With Julian?”
Sophie hesitated.
“He’s my project partner.”
“I know.”
The silence between them felt unfamiliar.
Then Adrian said:
“I might get the extension.”
“Another year?”
“Maybe.”
Sophie looked at the city outside her window.
“That’s good for you.”
She said the words.
But didn’t feel them.
