The Memory Keeper: Twisted Roots

Rain's POV

Seeing Ella and Khai last night was the final blow to the whistle. Maybe she didn't want me anymore. Maybe she preferred Ella—Ella, who seemed so poised, so perfect—to stand beside her in the chaos of her life. Maybe Aunt Joanne was right. Maybe I needed a new life.

I dragged myself out of bed and walked to the dining area, where Therese and Kroft were already having breakfast.

"Morning!" Therese greeted me, her usual energy at full blast. "A mailman dropped this for you." She handed me an envelope, her curiosity clearly piqued.

"What is this?" I asked as I took the envelope, inspecting it.

Kroft grinned mischievously, leaning back in his chair. "Maybe that's a letter from Khai."

I rolled my eyes, biting back a retort, and focused on the sender. My breath hitched. It was from "F&V Engineering Firm."

I opened the envelope, my hands trembling slightly. Inside was a formal job offer. I vaguely remembered stumbling across their job post online while I was in Chicago, advertising a position for Head Marketing Designer. I’d applied absentmindedly, not expecting anything to come of it. The position was located in Chicago, Illinois. The pay was great, and the workload was manageable—nothing I couldn’t handle, given my background as a Marketing Graphic Designer at Stanton Corporation before my promotion to Head of Finance.

My thoughts spiraled as I read through the offer, and I was pulled back to reality by Therese’s voice.

"What is it?" she asked, her fork mid-air, a piece of bacon dangling precariously.

I blinked, shaking off my thoughts. "A job offer."

"A job offer?!" Therese nearly choked on her food. "To where?"

"Chicago," I replied, my voice steady but my heart pounding.

Therese leaned forward, her eyes wide with excitement. "Are you going?"

I hesitated, the weight of the decision pressing down on me. "I... I don’t know yet."

Kroft, ever the voice of reason, chimed in. "You’ve been through a lot, Rain. Maybe this is your chance to start fresh, you know? A clean slate."

Therese nodded enthusiastically. "Exactly! A new city, a new job, and who knows? Maybe even new love. You deserve this, Rain. And Chicago is a vibe. Plus, Aunt Joanne’s there. You won’t be alone."

I placed the letter down on the table, staring at it as if it held all the answers. Could this really be the fresh start I needed? A chance to leave behind the memories, the pain, and... Khai?

"I’ll think about it," I said finally, though deep down, I knew my heart was already leaning toward the possibility of leaving.

Therese smirked, nudging me playfully. "Think fast, Rain. Opportunities like this don’t come knocking every day. Don’t overthink it like you always do."

I laughed softly, though the ache in my chest remained. As much as I wanted to move forward, part of me was still stuck in the past. But maybe, just maybe, this was my chance to finally let go.

"Whatever you decide," Kroft added, his tone serious, "just make sure it’s for you this time, Rain. Not for anyone else."

I nodded, gripping the letter tightly. "I will."

And for the first time in a long time, I felt a glimmer of hope—a tiny spark in the darkness that maybe, just maybe, I could build a new life for myself.

Therese’s question snapped me out of my thoughts. “When are you coming back to the office, by the way?” she asked, popping another piece of bacon into her mouth.