Chapter 2: Desperate attempt

“Cole Harrington.”

Emma whispered the name like it hurt to say. Her breath clouded in the night air as she stood frozen on the sidewalk, blinking at the billboard like it might disappear if she just stared long enough.

But it didn’t and this was really happening.

She turned away, with her head down, and began to quicken her steps. The plastic bag with her mom’s medicine crinkled against her chest. Her fingers clenched the paper tighter with every step.

Her pulse hadn’t slowed since she’d seen the sign with his name on it and there was no point wishing it away.

It was clearly him.

Not someone else with the same name or a random coincidence. The name and description fit perfectly to only one Cole.

“Her” Cole.

The boy who once kissed her under the Sinclair Bridge in town. The one who held her hand through her mother’s first diagnosis. The same guy who whispered plans for the future against her skin. She remembered how he begged her not to push him away and she coldly told him no. Worse—she told him she didn’t love him.

With his heart in pieces, he left town and didn't look back. And now, five years later, he’d returned wearing a new title: billionaire.

The air began to feel thin as the world around her seemed to spin. Her stomach twisted. She picked up her pace, passing through the few pedestrians still out, barely seeing them. The cold bit at her cheeks, but she didn’t stop until she reached her block.

By the time she reached her apartment, her hands had gotten numb and her legs ached badly. The hallway lights flickered as she unlocked the door.

Inside, everything was dim and quiet except for the soft hum of the heater. She flicked the light on and headed straight to the kitchen, placing the brown paper bag carefully on the counter.

“Mom?” she called softly.

“In here,” came a faint voice from the living room.

Emma followed the sound to the living room. Her mother sat curled in her favorite recliner, a worn blanket tucked around her knees. The glow of the television flickered across her tired face, her skin looking very pale.

Emma leaned in and kissed her cheek. “Got your meds.”

Her mother nodded, a faint smile on her lips. “Thank you, sweetheart.”

Emma hesitated in the doorway, then sat on the arm of the couch, chewing her bottom lip.

Her mother looked up, eyes narrowing. “Something wrong?”

“No,” Emma said too quickly. Then sighed. “Well… maybe.”

Her mother straightened herself. “What happened?”

Emma hesitated. “I… I quit the diner.” That got her mother's attention. She blinked. “What?”

“I know. I didn’t plan to but I couldn’t take it anymore. The hours. The way they treat people. I’d had enough and it wasn’t worth it anymore.”

A long silence stretched between them before her mother finally spoke up.

“I’m proud of you.”

Emma looked up, surprised. “You’re not mad at me?”

“I trust you made the right choice. Besides, some things aren't worth it.” Her mother’s voice was soft. “Even if they pay.”

Emma nodded slowly. “I wasn’t making enough anyway.”

Her mother let out a sigh. “So what now?”

Emma looked down at her hands. “There was a sign near the hospital. A job opening.”

Her mother’s face lit up. “Really? Where?”

“It’s a secretary position at a company.”

“That sounds promising.”

Emma hesitated. “It’s at Harrington Industries.”

The words hung between them. Her mother stiffened. “Harrington… as in Cole?”

Emma gave a slow nod.

Her mother leaned forward slightly, eyes narrowing. “Are you sure he’s back?”

Emma swallowed. “Apparently.”

A long pause followed.

“Are you thinking of applying?” Her mother’s voice grew hesitant. “Emma…”

“I know,” Emma said quickly. “But what else am I supposed to do? I quit my job. The car’s dead. Rent is late. The pharmacy cut your dosage because insurance couldn't cover it.”

“I’m not blaming you,” her mom whispered. “I just… worry.”

Emma nodded.

“I’m going to come up with something,” she said after a moment. “How about applying with a different name? That should cut it .”

“Think that’s enough?”

“I don’t know,” Emma admitted. “I’m hoping he won’t even be the one checking applications,” she said, trying to believe it.

Her mother reached for her hand, squeezing it gently. “Emma… if he recognizes you.”

“I’ll deal with it. I just… I need this. We need this.”

“I know.”

Another pause. Then Emma stood and gave her mom a faint smile. “I’ll just apply. Doesn’t mean I’ll get it.”

Her mom looked unconvinced, but nodded. “Just promise me something.” she said.

“Anything.”

“Don’t lose yourself trying to fix the past.”

Emma swallowed. “I won’t. I promise.”

---

Later that night, after her mom fell asleep, Emma sat at the kitchen table with her phone in hand, staring at the screen. The Harrington Industries portal blinked softly, waiting.

The webpage didn't have much. Just a space for her name, phone, email. Emma stared at the screen for a long time. Then she began typing.

Name: Emma Grace Holloway

“Bad idea,” she thought to herself. Quickly, she cleared the name and stared at the blank space for a moment. It finally hit her.

Her heart thudded hard and her fingers trembled slightly. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath.

Determined, she began to type again. “Emily Grace.” She filled out her number and email address, thoughts flooding her mind.

What if he sees this and she gets rejected?

What if he spots her and calls her out in front of a whole office?

What if he he had totally forgotten about her and moved on with his life?

Somehow, that last option scared her the most.

Emma looked down at the screen one more time. Then, slowly, she pressed her thumb to the button and hit send. The screen pulsed once before it turned green.

She stared at it, motionless.

The screen dimmed. Her reflection staring back at her. She slid the phone away and leaned back in the chair, heart still racing, but her decision made.

Whatever happened next wasn’t up to her anymore.