Chapter 8 When I came to Manhattan at eighteen , I was full of hope and dreams of making it my home . But after a decade of ups and downs , I found myself missing where I came from . After wrapping up all the loose ends , I headed back to my hometown in California . Back when we got engaged , it wasn't just the Harper family who disapproved - my parents weren't thrilled either . Luke had flown back and forth through all four seasons , landing and taking off countless times , trying to convince them to trust him with their daughter . When I started my company in San Francisco , I had no shame about using the Harper name and Luke's connections to get ahead and solve problems . With plenty of capital and contacts , I nailed down every detail within a month . Besides work , I also worked on myself . I had to admit that even though that marriage was completely toxic , I still dealt with emotional backlash after the divorce . Sometimes I'd wake up in the middle of the night feeling like I was floating , with this hollow emptiness in my chest that left me ungrounded . During those seven years of marriage , especially the last three , I'd been like an empty shell . Now I needed to slowly fill that shell back up - both the psychological void and the blank spaces in my life . I threw myself into reinventing myself through reading , traveling , and socializing , becoming more like my old self again . Once you find the strength to lift yourself up , all those past struggles start looking like decorative touches . One day , my phone rang , and when I answered , the voice had a familiar accent . " Ma'am , it's me - Secretary Stone . " He was talking fast . " Mr. Harper's drunk and insisting I call you to ask what kind of hangover medicine he should take . He says the wrong kind could kill him . " I could hear mumbling in the background . " Tell her to come back ... " I glanced at the number . " Secretary Stone- " Chapter 8 " Yes ma'am , go ahead . Oh right , Mr. Harper wants you to come back to Manhattan . When are you coming back ? " My voice was flat . " I've been so busy I forgot to block you , Secretary Stone . " " What- " Before he could finish , the line went dead . When he tried calling back , he realized he was blocked and deleted . Discover our latest featured short drama reel. Watch now and enjoy the story!