The room was warm, wrapped in the soft hum of the heater. Pale morning sunlight spilled across the hardwood floor, catching the edges of the white curtains that swayed with the faint winter breeze.
Allie woke with tears in her eyes.
For a moment, she just lay there, staring blankly at the ceiling. She didn't want to remember the dream — the one where her family was whole again, laughter echoing through their old house, her father's voice promising everything would be alright.
Then, just like always, the dream ended the same way — with him leaving.
She stayed there, frozen, her chest heavy and her throat tight.
A soft knock at the door finally broke the silence.
"Allie?" Her mother's voice was gentle.
Allie quickly wiped her face and sat up. "Come in."
Her mother peeked her head inside, smiling. "Good morning, honey! Do you have work today? I made coffee. I still have some bacon from yesterday or maybe chicken sausage with egg whites. Oh — and Aunt Leila and I are going grocery shopping later. If you need anything, text me, okay?"
Allie forced a smile. "Good morning, Momma. I'm… off today. I think I'll just stay home if that's alright."
Her mother's expression shifted instantly — concern replacing cheer. It was rare for Allie to stay home, even on her days off. She hurried to the bed, pressing the back of her hand to Allie's forehead.
"Oh, sweetheart, you don't have to ask. You can rest whenever you need to. Are you okay? Are you sick?"
Allie shook her head. "No, just tired. I need a day to recharge."
Her mother's worry softened into tenderness. She brushed a thumb across Allie's cheek. "Then rest, my love. Do whatever makes you feel better." She kissed her forehead before standing. "I'll make you some zuppa later — something warm and soothing. Come down after you wash up, alright?"
Allie nodded, watching her mother leave before sinking back into silence. She didn't know why the dream came back now, after so long. Maybe because she'd been happy lately — and happiness always scared her.
After washing up, she went downstairs, the faint scent of coffee and simmering garlic filling the kitchen. The house was quiet; her mom and aunt had already left.
Allie sat at the table, tracing the rim of her mug.
Her thoughts drifted back — to the years before everything fell apart.
They'd been the kind of family that neighbors envied: her dad with his easy smile, her mom's laughter echoing through their home, Sunday breakfasts together. It had felt perfect. Safe. Eternal.
Until the layoffs came.
Her father lost his job first, then the debts piled up, and soon after, her mom's diagnosis — cancer. Allie had been in college then, so sure she could help once she graduated. But everything unraveled faster than she could grasp.
Her father changed.
At first, it was little things — fewer smiles, more nights out, a short temper. Then came the silence. The absence. The empty chair at dinner.
She remembered begging him not to give up, telling him they'd figure it out together. But he never looked at her the same way again.
When her mom's health declined and Raffi fell sick too, Allie searched for her father — called, texted, pleaded. His phone went dead.
Months later, they learned he'd left the country.
No goodbye. No explanation. Just gone.
That was the day something inside Allie hardened.
She decided men's promises meant nothing. That love was unreliable. That safety only existed in what she could control — her work, her choices, her own strength. She would never depend on anyone again.
Her mother survived, miraculously. Raffi recovered. Family and friends rallied to help. But Allie… never fully healed.
Her mother forgave him — said that forgiveness was the only way to move forward.
But Allie couldn't.
She loved her mom deeply for her grace, for that unshakable kindness that seemed impossible to maintain after everything. But she knew she didn't have that kind of heart. Hers was scarred — stitched together by self-reliance and fear. Dating never worked.
She tried, more than once. But she could never let anyone in completely. There was always a wall — invisible but solid — keeping her from believing in permanence.
Every time a man said "I'll be there," she felt the same chill run down her spine. Because she'd heard that before. And he hadn't stayed.
So she ended things before they could end her.
And then came Curtis.
Quiet, awkward, controlled Curtis — who somehow, without even trying, slipped past her defenses.
She didn't mean to rely on him. It just… happened.The way he listened. The way he made her laugh when she wasn't trying. The way he looked at her like she wasn't a burden to carry but someone worth seeing.
And that terrified her.
Because the more she cared, the more she risked breaking again.She sat there for a long time, lost in thought, until she heard the door open.
Her mother was back, grocery bags rustling in her arms.
"Allie? Are you okay?" she asked gently, walking over to her.
Allie nodded, though her eyes shimmered.
Her mom sat beside her, smoothing a stray hair from her face. "Honey… I can tell something's weighing on you. I might not have the answers, but sometimes you just need to listen to your heart. It will never fail you."
Allie shook her head slowly. "Mom, I don't think I can trust my heart. It's failed me before."
Her mother wrapped her in a hug — warm, steady, unshakable. "Then let fate do the work for you," she whispered. "When you let go of control, the right things have a way of finding you. No matter what happens, it's what's meant to be."
Tears slipped down Allie's cheeks, but she smiled through them. "You're so strong, Mom."
Her mother smiled softly. "It's not strength, sweetheart. It's faith — faith to let go of what we can't control."
Later that afternoon, the kitchen was filled with the smell of simmering soup and soft music. Allie helped her mom stir the pot, the small act grounding her. For the first time in days, she felt her chest lighten.
That night, alone in her room, she sat on the edge of her bed and opened her laptop. The email was still there —
"Congratulations! You've been accepted as the Assistant Hospitality Manager at Rouge, Tokyo."
Her cursor hovered over the message.
"Let's give it time," she whispered to herself. "Let's see what happens."
Just then, her phone buzzed.
Kit: Just checking in. Everything okay? Can't wait to see you back at the café.
She smiled, her heart tugging gently.
Allie: All good. See you soon.
She set the phone down and leaned against her pillow, eyes drifting shut.
Maybe, just maybe… fate really was at work.