Chapter Eight: The Sidewalk Again

The next morning, Khloe woke with a clear mind.

She returned to the sidewalk where their story began.

No one was there.

But as she got closer, she noticed something taped to the wall.

A printed photo.

Her and Jacob. Sitting side by side. Laughing.

On the back, a handwritten note.

“I still dream about that almost kiss.”

She smiled through her tears.

Two more weeks passed.

Khloe tried to stay busy. Doubled her shifts. Cleaned the apartment until every corner shined.

But the emptiness came back.

Then one afternoon, her manager walked in with a strange look.

“Khloe. There’s someone waiting for you outside.”

She wiped her hands. Confused.

“A customer?”

“Doesn’t look like it. She said her name is Laura Smith.”

Khloe froze.

Smith.

She walked out the back door.

A well-dressed woman stood there. Calm. Confident. Brown hair in a neat bun.

Her eyes looked just like Jacob’s.

“Are you Khloe Evans?”

“Yes.”

“I’m Jacob’s sister.”

Khloe stayed composed. “He never mentioned a sister.”

“He doesn’t mention much. But I exist.” Laura smiled slightly. “I’m here because my brother can’t be. And because I thought you deserved to know.”

“Know what?”

“That he still thinks about you every day. That he doesn’t regret meeting you. And that he’s trying to respect your space. Even though it’s tearing him apart.”

Khloe crossed her arms. “He had time to tell me the truth. He didn’t.”

“He didn’t disappear, Khloe. He’s trying to rebuild everything he lost. Not just the company. Trust. His sense of self.” Laura stepped closer. “He thought coming back now would be selfish. He said, ‘She deserves to decide on her own.'”

“Why are you telling me this?”

“Because I saw who he became when you came into his life. And I saw who he turned back into when you left.” Laura’s voice softened. “I’ve never seen Jacob so human and so broken at the same time.”

She handed Khloe a small envelope.

“A foundation event for our family. Tomorrow night. He doesn’t know I’m inviting you. But he’ll be there.”

Laura turned to leave.

“Maybe you need to see each other again. Even if nothing is said.”

That night, Khloe stared at the envelope for hours.

Picked it up. Put it back down.

She didn’t know if she was ready.

But not seeing him might hurt even more.

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