( Scarlett's POV ) More Rewards > The plane touches down with a gentle bump , and I feel Lily's small hand slip into mine . " Are we really home , Mama ? " she asks , her dark eyes wide as she peers out the tiny window . Home . The word feels strange on my tongue . This city stopped being home the night Jasper left me on that highway . But maybe it can be again . Maybe I can make it mine this time . " We're here , habibti , " I tell her , using the Arabic endearment that feels natural now . Lily nods , pressing her face against the window . At four years old , she's already learned not to ask too many questions about the past . She knows we lived far away before this , in a small town where I learned to bake bread that could make people cry with happiness . She knows her father isn't in our life , but she's never asked why . Smart girl . She gets that from me . The baggage claim is crowded with families reuniting , business travelers checking their phones , tourists consulting their maps . I scan the crowd until I spot her - Chloe , holding a sign that says " Welcome Home , Warrior " in Arabic and English . My throat tightens . She's the only person who never gave up on me . " Scarlett ! " She drops the sign and runs toward us , her hijab flying behind her . " Oh my God , look at you ! " She pulls me into a hug that smells like her signature vanilla perfume and warmth . For a moment , I'm twenty - three again , crying on her shoulder about another canceled date , another broken promise . But I'm not that girl anymore . " And this must be Lily , " Chloe says , crouching down to my daughter's level . " I'm your Aunt Chloe . I've heard so much about you ." Lily hides behind my legs , suddenly shy . She's not used to strangers , but she's curious . " She's beautiful , Scarlett . She looks just like you . " " She has his eyes , " I say quietly , and Chloe's face softens with understanding . The drive to Chloe's apartment takes us through parts of the city I used to know by heart . The coffee shop where Jasper and I had our first date . The bookstore where I used to buy 1/4 : < Chapter 12 More Rewards romance novels , dreaming of a love that would consume me . The park where he proposed , going down on one knee because it was expected , not because he wanted to . Everything looks smaller than I remember . Less important . " You're different , " Chloe says , glancing at me in the rearview mirror . " Stronger . " I just smile . " What happened after you left ? You stopped calling , stopped answering my texts for two years . " I watch the city blur past the window , my smile growing brighter . " I had to cut all ties . I needed space and time to heal . It was the only way to start over . And now ... now I'm ready now to face him , and my adopted family . " I touch Lily's hair as she sleeps against my shoulder . Chloe's apartment is exactly the same - organized chaos and comfort mixed together . Books everywhere , plants taking over the windowsills , the smell of cardamom and coffee always in the air . It feels like stepping back in time , but I'm not the same person who used to cry here . " I cleared out the spare room for you and Lily , " she says , hauling our suitcases inside . " You can stay as long as you need . " " Thank you , but we won't be here long . " She raises an eyebrow . " Planning to find your own place already ? " I settle Lily on the couch with her favorite stuffed elephant and turn to face my best friend . The woman who never once told me I was being dramatic or asking for too much . " I already found one . " " Found one ? Scarlett , you just got here an hour ago . " " I've been planning this for months . " I pull out my phone and show her the photos I've saved . " There's a shop space for rent in Riverside District . Perfect location , good foot traffic , reasonable rent . " Chloe scrolls through the pictures , her eyes widening . " This is nice . What kind of business ? " " A bakery . " She looks up at me with hope and uncertainty in her eyes . " You've finally decided ? Not going to run anymore ? " " No , not anymore . Since I can bake , why can't I use my skill to survive ? " I swipe to my 2/4 < Chapter 12 More Rewards portfolio photos . " I spent two years in culinary school in Denver . Another year working at the best bakery in Colorado . I can do this , Chloe . I am confident I can do a good job . " She stares at the screen , scrolling through pictures of my signature honey wheat loaves , the cinnamon rolls that made customers wait in line for hours , the wedding cakes that looked like art pieces . " I know you can . I always did , but you never believed me when I said so , " she breathes . " You made all of these ? " " Every single one . " Pride fills my chest , warm and solid . " As they say , confidence grows with accomplishments . I'm not the same woman who left here four years ago . The awards I won and the critics of renowned chefs over the years boasted my confidence . I don't need anyone to take care of me anymore . I don't need anyone's money or permission or approval. " " But opening a business ... that's huge . The permits , the equipment , the- " Already handled . I've been working with a realtor remotely for three months . The lease is signed , equipment ordered , permits filed . I start renovations next week .' Chloe sets down my phone and stares at me . " Who are you ? " I laugh , and it feels good . Light . " Someone who no longer waits around for other people to dictate her life . " Lily stirs on the couch , rubbing her eyes as she wakes up from her nap . She sits up slowly , looking around the unfamiliar apartment with the careful attention she always gives new places . " Mama ? Are we at Aunt Chloe's house ? " " Yes , habibti . Come meet her properly . " My daughter slides off the couch and walks over to us with the serious expression she wears when meeting new people . She's cautious but not scared . I made sure she'd never be scared of the world the way I was . Chloe kneels down , offering her hand like she would to an adult . " It's very nice to meet you , Lily . Your mama has told me wonderful things about you . " " She tells me about you too ," Lily says softly , taking Chloe's hand . " She says you're the sister of her heart . " Chloe's eyes fill with tears . " That's right , little one . And that makes you my niece . " " Mama's going to open a bakery , " Lily announces , her shyness disappearing as she warms up 3/4 : < Chapter 12 More Rewards > to Chloe . " She makes the best bread in the whole world . People used to wait in long lines just to buy it . " " Isn't that right ? " Chloe smiles at me , pride shinning in her eyes . " Mmhmm . The cinnamon rolls too . And the cookies shaped like flowers . " Lily looks up at me with those dark eyes that remind me so much of him , but without any of his coldness . " I'm going to help her . I can reach the low shelves and say hello to customers ." My heart squeezes . This tiny person , who's never known her father , who's moved across the country with nothing but what fits in two suitcases , wants to help me chase my dreams . " You're hired ," I tell her seriously . " But only if you promise to be the best helper in the city ." " I promise ! " She bounces on her toes . " When do we start ? " " Soon , habibti . Very soon . " Chloe watches us with something like awe . " Scarlett , I can't believe this . Three years ago you called me crying , saying you were scared to come back . Now you want to open a business ? Don't get me wrong . I've always wanted you to go solo . But weren't you against the idea ? " " I wasn't against it . I just wasn't ready to take that step at the time . " I pick up Lily and settle her on my hip . " For four years , I've been building myself towards this . Learning , growing , saving every penny . I'm not here today because I'm pushed to a dead end . I'm here today because I'm finally ready to face my demons . " " What if ... " Chloe hesitates . " What if you run into him ? This city isn't that big . " " Then he'll meet a new Scarlett ," I say , and I mean every word of it . Jasper Blake will see who I've become , what he lost when he chose another woman . Violet Moon # Vote # ! Comments