Song for this chapter: Taylor Swift - The Lakes on the multimedia.

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Sign

The second week of April brought a familiar rhythm back to my life. After everything that had happened with the media storm surrounding me and Juls, things were finally settling down. The attention had shifted, and the world had found something else to obsess over. I could breathe again, focus on my routine, and most importantly, be there for Ivy.

This morning felt peaceful. The sun was just starting to warm up the day as I stood in the kitchen, flipping pancakes. Ivy sat at the table, swinging her legs and humming a little tune as she colored in her notebook. I smiled to myself, watching her, grateful for the quiet moments like this.

"Mommy, can I have blueberries in my pancakes today?" Ivy asked, looking up at me with her wide eyes.

"Of course, sweetheart." I grabbed a handful of blueberries and sprinkled them into the batter, stirring it with care. "Anything for my little chef."

She giggled, returning her focus to her drawing while I finished up breakfast. We ate together, and afterward, I helped her get ready for school—brushing her hair, tying her shoes, and making sure she had everything she needed in her backpack.

Once she was all set, I grabbed my bag and walked her to school, holding her hand as we made our way through the streets. I loved these moments with her. It grounded me in ways I couldn't even describe.

"Have a great day, my little explorer," I said as we reached the school gates.

Ivy grinned and hugged me tight. "You too, Mommy!"

After watching her disappear into the schoolyard, I turned and started my walk to work. It felt good to focus again, to pour my energy back into my photography. I was headed to a small project today, nothing too overwhelming. But as I was halfway there, my phone buzzed in my pocket.

I pulled it out and saw Juls' name on the screen. It had been a while since we'd spoken, at least not in the way we used to before everything got so complicated. I hesitated for a second, then answered.

"Hey, Juls," I said, trying to keep my tone light.

"Hey, Sign," his voice came through, familiar yet different somehow. "Are you busy the whole day?"

I glanced at my watch, thinking through my schedule. "I've got to head somewhere for work this morning, but I'll be done after lunch. Why, what's up?"

"Well," he started, sounding almost hesitant, "I've been thinking about promoting the restaurant more. I need some new photos—something that'll really showcase Sapphire Haven. And I was wondering... would you be interested in helping out? You know, doing the photography for it?"

I was caught off guard for a moment, surprised that he'd reached out for something like this. But then again, it made sense. We had worked together in the past, and photography was my thing. I could do this.

A smile crept across my face. "You need my help, huh? I guess I could squeeze you into my busy schedule."

Juls laughed softly. "Yeah, I figured if anyone could make the place look as good as it feels, it's you."

There was something in his voice, a kind of warmth I hadn't heard in a while. It tugged at something in me, but I brushed it off.

"Okay," I said, nodding to myself. "I'll head straight to the restaurant after lunch."

"Great. Thanks, Sign. I really appreciate it."

"Don't mention it," I replied, feeling a strange mix of excitement and nostalgia. "See you this afternoon."

As I hung up, I slipped the phone back into my pocket and continued walking. The day felt brighter, more alive. 

As I walked down the familiar streets, heading to my morning project, I couldn't help but let my thoughts drift back to the whirlwind of the past few months. So much had changed, yet here I was, walking to work like it was just another day. The media frenzy had died down, the photos of me and Juls faking a relationship no longer plastered all over the internet. But something still lingered—memories, questions, and... Linc.

It had been weeks since I last heard from him. The last time we talked was in Vegas, and that conversation had been a catalyst for everything that followed. That one night set off a chain of events I hadn't anticipated. I couldn't help but wonder how he was doing now.

Where was he? How was he feeling about everything that had gone down?

We hadn't exactly left things on the best note, and the silence that followed was deafening. Even after all this time, Linc was still on my mind, hovering in the background like a shadow I couldn't shake.

I found myself wondering if he was okay. Maybe he'd moved on, dealing with the fallout in his own way. Or maybe he was still angry, hurt by what had happened between us. Either way, it stung not knowing. A small part of me wished he would reach out, just to clear the air or at least let me know where we stood.

I sighed, shaking my head as I tried to refocus. This wasn't the time to get lost in thoughts about Linc. I had work to do, a project to complete, and then Juls' restaurant shoot to prepare for in the afternoon.

But no matter how hard I tried to push Linc out of my mind, he lingered there. Always on the edge of my thoughts, always making me wonder what could have been if things hadn't spiraled out of control that night in Vegas.

And yet... here I was, trying to move forward, trying to figure out what my life looked like now.

***

When I arrived at Sapphire Haven, the familiar elegance of Juls' restaurant greeted me. The rich blue tones, the crystal chandeliers, and the velvet seating all reflected the hard work he had poured into this place. I never imagined he would build something like this. Not because he wasn't capable, but because back when we were together, Juls didn't seem to know where his life was going. He didn't have any clear goals, and that's part of why we drifted apart. But now, standing here, I couldn't help but feel proud.

"Sign! You're here!" Juls greeted me with a warm smile as soon as I walked through the door.

I smiled back. "Of course. I wasn't going to miss out on this. You've done such an incredible job with this place."

"Thanks," he replied, looking a little shy, which made me chuckle. Even after all these years, he still got bashful when people complimented him.

"Where do you want me to start?" I asked, looking around at the restaurant. The staff was already buzzing around, preparing for the photoshoot. Bea, the pastry chef, was carefully arranging a tray of desserts, while Tony, the head chef, gave instructions in the kitchen.

"I was thinking we could start with some shots of the dining area," Juls suggested. "Maybe get some of the dishes in the frame, and then we can move on to the kitchen and the bar."

"Got it," I nodded, taking out my camera and adjusting the lens. "Let's get started."

I began snapping shots of the elegantly set tables, the soft lighting casting a warm glow over the place. The way the chandeliers caught the light was perfect for the kind of atmosphere Juls wanted to showcase—luxurious yet inviting.

"You always had a good eye," Juls said, watching me as I worked.

I shrugged, smiling as I glanced at him. "Thanks, but you know, it's easy when the place looks like this. I still can't believe you pulled this off, Juls. Back in the day, you weren't exactly known for your grand plans."

Juls laughed, running a hand through his hair. "Yeah, I guess I surprised everyone, huh? Even myself sometimes."

I paused, looking at him for a moment. "I'm really proud of you, Juls. This place... it's something special. You've really made a name for yourself."

He smiled, but there was a flicker of something in his eyes. "You know, I couldn't have done it without you."

I raised an eyebrow, surprised. "Me? How so?"

"Well, you always pushed me. Back in high school, when I didn't have a clue what I wanted to do with my life, you were the one who made me think about my future," he explained. "Even if we didn't end up together, a lot of what I've achieved is because of you."

I felt a warmth spread through me, but I quickly brushed it aside, focusing on the task at hand. "I'm just glad to see you happy and doing well."

We continued with the shoot, Juls showing me around the restaurant, while the staff moved in and out, adjusting things and helping wherever needed. Bea brought out a stunning plate of blueberry tarts that were almost too beautiful to eat.

"These look amazing," I said, crouching down to get the perfect shot of the desserts.

"Bea's a magician in the kitchen," Juls grinned. "She's been with me since the beginning."

"I can see why," I said, admiring the work she put into her creations. "This place has such a great team. It's like a family."

"Yeah, we've got something special here," Juls agreed, leaning against the counter as I took more photos. "I'm lucky to have them."

As I moved around the restaurant, capturing the essence of Sapphire Haven, I found myself feeling nostalgic. It was like catching up with an old friend, and in many ways, that's exactly what it was. Juls and I had a history, one that was complicated but full of good memories, too.

After a while, we moved into the kitchen, where Tony was busy plating some of the signature dishes. The smell of fresh herbs and sizzling meat filled the air.

"Tony, you're going to be famous after these photos go live," I teased, snapping a shot of him as he expertly placed a garnish on a plate.

Tony laughed. "As long as I get to keep cooking, I don't mind the spotlight."

Juls chuckled beside me. "He's the real star of the place."

I glanced at Juls and smiled. "You both are. This restaurant is a reflection of your hard work."

We continued working for the next couple of hours, and as I moved around, taking photos of the bar and kitchen staff, I couldn't help but notice how at ease I felt. There was no tension, no awkwardness between Juls and me. It was just two old friends, reconnecting, and for that, I was grateful.

As we wrapped up the shoot, Juls walked over to me, a soft smile on his face. "Thanks for doing this, Sign. It means a lot to me."

I shrugged, feeling a little shy myself. "You don't have to thank me, Juls. You're helping me out, too. Besides, it's nice spending time with you again."

He nodded, his eyes lingering on me for a moment longer than usual. "Yeah, it is."

For a brief second, I wondered what he was thinking. But before I could dwell on it, Tony called him over to the kitchen, and I was left standing there, camera in hand, feeling... content.

As I packed up my gear, I couldn't help but smile. Today had been a good day. Simple, straightforward, and exactly what I needed. Life had been so chaotic lately, but being here at Sapphire Haven, helping Juls with something he cared about—it felt right.

***

When the doorbell rang just as I was getting dinner ready, I was surprised to see Juls standing there, holding a pizza box. I hadn't expected him to drop by, especially not with pizza. My confusion must have shown, but before I could voice it, Ivy ran to the door with a shout of joy.

"Uncle Juls!" she cried, throwing herself into his arms.

Juls smiled, bending down to hug her. His presence brought a strange mix of comfort and uncertainty. I let him in, pushing my thoughts aside for now. As we settled down to eat, the atmosphere was surprisingly warm. Ivy chatted about her day at school, and we fell into an easy conversation that made it feel like time had not passed since we last saw each other.

When Ivy went upstairs to bed, Juls and I were left alone in the kitchen. I was at the sink, washing the last of the dishes, when I felt a sudden embrace from behind. Juls' arms around me were unexpected, and for a moment, I was stunned. My heart raced, and I turned around quickly.

"What's going on?" I asked, my voice trembling despite my attempt to keep it steady.

Juls looked at me with an earnest expression, his eyes searching mine. "Sign, there's something I need to say." There was a pause. "Those eight years we were together, and the years since... I've thought about you all the time. I never stopped loving you."

His confession hit me harder than I anticipated. The feelings I thought I had buried resurfaced, but not in the way I expected. I took a deep breath, trying to keep my voice steady.

"Juls, I need you to understand something," I began carefully. "I appreciate everything we had, and I'm glad for the time we spent together. But those years, as much as they were filled with moments of joy, were also draining for me. It was exhausting to be in a relationship that never truly was good for me. I can't go back to that. I don't have those feelings for you anymore. I've moved on."

Juls' face fell, but he nodded, trying to mask his hurt. "I get it. But I need you to know that you mean a lot to me."

I shook my head gently, trying to convey the depth of my feelings without causing more pain. "It's not just about what you mean to me. It's about what I need and what I've found with someone else. My life has moved in a different direction. Linc... Linc is a part of my life that means everything to me. Even after everything that happened, he's still the one I think about."

Juls looked taken aback but nodded in understanding. "I just thought... maybe we could try again. I never stopped wanting that."

"I understand," I said softly, my heart aching for the both of us. "But I can't go back to something that was so draining for me. I need to be true to myself and to what I've found now. I hope you can respect that."

There was a long pause, filled with the weight of our shared history and the realization of where we stood now. Juls seemed to accept my words with a quiet resignation.

"Alright," he said finally, his voice subdued. "I'll respect that. I just wanted you to know how I feel."

As Juls left, I stood there in the kitchen, feeling a mix of sadness and relief. I had been honest with Juls, but it didn't make the situation any less painful. I looked around at the familiar surroundings, thinking about how much had changed.

As I finished the dishes, my thoughts drifted to Nat. She had always been kind to me, and the thought of how my actions and Juls' confessions might impact her made my heart ache. Nat had no idea of the full story behind Juls and me, and the last thing I wanted was to cause her any pain. She deserved better than to be caught in the crossfire of this messy, emotional turmoil.

I wondered how she was coping with everything, and I felt a pang of guilt for the confusion Juls' feelings might have caused her. The weight of it all was heavy, and I hoped that somehow, despite everything, Nat would be able to find happiness and peace amidst the chaos.