Page 15 of When Forever Falls Apart

“So, you were there, at the ceremony. How did… um…”

“What happened when your brother came out and told everyone?” Stella touches my hand to hold it tight. “Myles looked devastated, but your brother did a great job at making sure everyone left Myles alone. He told us the wedding would not go ahead and thanked everyone for their time.”

I bury my head in my hands. “How awful. People must be talking.”

“They are, but who cares about them? It’s your life, not theirs.”

“And Myles? Is he, still, you know…”

“He’s here. Not now, though,” Stella is quick to tell me. “Look, he’s okay. Just give it time.”

It isn’t what I want to hear, but the damage is done. For now, I’ll take Myles to be okay. Better that than him being so devastated that he can’t get out of bed because he cries himself to sleep. Or, that he’s sticking pins into a voodoo doll that looks just like me, which would explain why a random bird almost shat on me earlier.

“What about you? What’s happening?” I ask, desperate to talk about something else. “Have you finally started planning your wedding?”

“Yes! It’s next month. Tell me you’ll be there?” Stella grabs both my hands, pleading with her deep green eyes. “Nothing fancy since we’re starving artists trying to live in the most expensive city in the world.”

“Of course I’ll be there. Just let me know when and where.”

“Excellent! It’s at Bluebell Ranch. It’s cowboy themed,” she mentions with a laugh.

My own laughter mixes with Stella’s. Bluebell Ranch is much more small-town and country than Cinnamon Springs. Her fiancé, Brooks, plays in a country band, so none of this comes as a surprise.

“I know the place; it’s not too far from Cinnamon Springs. I’ll be there.”

We discuss work further until Esmeralda, the owner, enters the auditorium. I hear the sound of her heels tapping against the stage floor as Stella kisses me goodbye before leaving us to talk.

Esmeralda is dressed in one of her signature fuchsia capes. The delicate beading and fabric shimmer as she approaches the stage. She’s known for her eccentric fashion sense, and as a costume designer, I genuinely admire her fearless originality.

I have visions for others and always know what will work for someone else, yet for some reason, I lack that same vision for myself. Clearly, since I’m wearing a plain tank top and a denim skirt—nothing about my outfit screams originality. It just screams that I’ve been living out of a suitcase for far too long.

Esmerelda’s sleek black bob falls perfectly into place, the strands reflecting a glossy sheen, while her matching bangs frame her face in a way that highlights her striking features.

“You’re back,” she states with a stiff tone. “So, what does this mean?”

“I don’t know…”

She fixes her cape, but keeps her distance and a neutral expression. If there’s anything Esmerelda values, it’s honesty and loyalty. You do her wrong, and she will make your life a living hell.

“You know I never married, nor have I had kids. This theater is my family. It’s my life.”

“I know… it’s just working with Myles.”

“The show must go on,ma chérie.”

“Please, Esmerelda, just give me a little more time. I need to go back home to sort some things out.”

“I think you’re talented, Madelina—the best I’ve seen in a long time. But this door can’t stay open forever. I neverwanted you to quit on a whim, but you need to think carefully about your future. Wherever one goes, the past will always find its way back. The only way to move forward is to confront your past head-on. You understand me?”

Esmerelda is as tough as nails, but she has the biggest heart I’ve ever seen.

“I’m sorry I let you down.”

She takes a step toward me, then places her hand beneath my chin, lifting my face to meet her gaze. “We all have our cross to bear.”

I loved my job and thrived on the hustle of Broadway. I just don’t know if my heart belongs here anymore. As I glance around the room, I realize I can’t make a decision today, not when my head and heart aren’t in sync.

And maybe that’s the key to finding happiness. The two most essential things, working together harmoniously.