I took a deep breath, forced myself to hold back the tears and ran out of the ballroom without looking back.
Behind me, Ethan's voice echoed, desperate and heart-wrenching. "Evelyn! Don't go! Please, give me a chance!"
The cold wind whipped through my hair. Tears froze on my cheeks, only to be swept away mercilessly by the gusts.
I had no idea how far I had run or where I had ended up. I just plunged into the endless darkness of the night.
"Miss, are you alright?" A concerned voice called from behind.
I looked up to see a well-dressed middle-aged man, his face full of worry.
"I'm fine…" I forced a weak smile. "I'm just a little tired."
"It's late, and it's not safe to be out here alone," the man said gently. "How about I give you a ride home?"
I hesitated for a moment, then nodded. Maybe it was the sincerity in his eyes, or maybe I was simply too exhausted to run any longer.
"Thank you…?"
"Dalton, Richard Dalton," he said with a smile. I teach at the Melando Academy of Art, and I'm a friend of Mr. Fernandez."
Was it Stefano Fernandez he was talking about?
"You know Mr. Fernandez?" I asked, surprised.
"Of course." Richard nodded. "He's a close friend of mine. Every time he comes to Melando, he stops by to catch up."
Wasn't fate strange?
At my lowest point, I was somehow finding a path to my dreams.
"Mr. Dalton, do I get the opportunity to meet Mr. Fernandez?" I asked cautiously.
Just the thought of his name made my heart ache. If it weren't for his letting go, I wouldn't be where I am today.
But how do I deal with his reappearance in my life?
At dawn, Richard showed up as promised. "Are you ready?" he asked with a smile.
I nodded. "I'm ready."
Richard led me to the car, and we drove out to the outskirts of Melando. The whole time, I was a bundle of nerves, my palms slick with sweat.
Richard seemed to sense my anxiety. "Don't worry. Stefano is very down-to-earth. He loves meeting talented, passionate young people. You're exactly the kind of person he's drawn to."
I gave him a grateful look.
The car turned into a lush, green forest area and finally came to a stop in front of an elegant villa.
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