Song for this chapter: Alex Porat - HATELOVE on the multimedia.

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Sign

It was Valentine's Day, and my phone buzzed on the nightstand just as I was about to roll out of bed. I reached over groggily, squinting at the screen to see Juls' name flashing. I slid my thumb across the screen to answer, the sleep still thick in my voice.

"Hey," I mumbled, sitting up and rubbing my eyes.

"Morning, Sign," Juls' voice came through, way too awake for this early. "Got any plans for today?"

I looked over at the clock. Ivy was still fast asleep in the next room, and I hadn't even thought about what we were going to do today. "Not really. Just the usual—hanging out with Ivy, running errands, probably some cleaning. Why?"

"I was thinking you could come by the restaurant today. We're doing a Valentine's Day thing. Fun, casual, no pressure. You can bring Ivy if you want," he said, his voice light but hopeful.

I paused, smiling softly at the offer. Part of me wanted to go, but a stronger part of me thought maybe... just maybe, I deserved a break. A real break. No errands, no cooking, no responsibilities for a few hours. Just me, for once.

"Thanks, Juls," I replied slowly, mulling it over. "I think I could use some time to myself today, though. You know, just a break from everything."

He hesitated on the other end, but his voice was understanding when he spoke again. "I get it. You deserve that. But if you change your mind, you know where to find me. Doors are always open."

"Thanks," I said again, softer this time. "I'll let you know."

We hung up, and I stared at the phone in my hand for a moment, feeling a small surge of guilt. It wasn't that I didn't want to see him. I just... needed a break.

I scrolled through my contacts until I found Claire's name. She'd been the one to get me to Manhattan in the first place, offering me the job I now relied on. If anyone could understand the need to catch a break, it'd be her.

I tapped the call button and waited as the phone rang. It didn't take long before her voice came through the line.

"Hey, girl! What's up? Calling early today, aren't you?" Claire sounded chipper, probably already halfway through her morning routine.

"Yeah, about that," I said, a little sheepishly. "I was wondering... do you think Ivy could spend the day with you guys? Just for today. I need some time for myself, maybe catch my breath."

There was a pause, and I could hear the wheels turning in Claire's mind. "It's Valentine's Day, you know? I've got a date with the husband tonight."

I sighed. "I know. It's just... I thought maybe Ivy could hang out with your kids while you two go out. She loves being with them, and I just need a few hours."

Claire was quiet for a moment, and I could picture her weighing the pros and cons. "Alright, alright," she said, finally laughing softly. "I'll pick up Ivy later. She can stay here with the kids while we're out. No biggie."

I let out a breath I didn't realize I was holding. "Thank you, Claire. You have no idea how much I appreciate this."

"Don't worry about it," she said, her tone light. "You deserve a break. Just relax and enjoy yourself for once, okay?"

"I will," I promised, already feeling a bit lighter. As I hung up, I glanced over at Ivy, still sound asleep in her bed. Maybe today would be a little different. Maybe, for once, I could just be me.

After I hung up with Claire, I stared out the window, the morning light slowly filling the room. Manhattan looked alive, vibrant, buzzing with energy even this early. The streets below were already starting to hum with the day's activity, couples probably gearing up for their Valentine's Day plans. For once, the idea of being alone didn't sound so bad.

I got Ivy ready and packed a small bag for her and waited for her to wake up.

When Claire arrived to pick her up, Ivy was thrilled to spend time with her friends, and I felt a bit lighter knowing she was in good hands.

With Ivy taken care of, I finally had the chance to take myself out on a date. 

Heading to my room, I rifled through my wardrobe. Nothing too fancy, but nothing too casual either. Something that made me feel good about myself. It didn't take long before I settled on a simple yet elegant dress—a deep burgundy that felt right for the day.

Once I was ready, I took a deep breath, grabbed my bag, and slipped out the door.

As I stepped out into the crisp February air, I felt a strange sense of freedom wash over me. Today was for me. No Ivy, no work, no expectations—just me and Manhattan.

I walked down the familiar streets, past the towering skyscrapers and corner cafés that had become part of my everyday life. It was strange, but for the first time since moving here, I felt like I could breathe. Like I wasn't just a mother or a photographer or Juls' ex. I was just Sign today.

I wandered aimlessly for a while, letting the city pull me in whatever direction it wanted. Eventually, I found myself in Central Park, where couples strolled hand in hand, some sitting on benches, sharing quiet moments together. I smiled at the sight. It didn't make me feel lonely. If anything, it made me appreciate the solitude more.

After grabbing a coffee from a nearby vendor, I found a quiet bench and sat down, watching the world go by. I let myself just be—no rushing, no worrying about Ivy or work. Just... me. The quiet buzz of the city felt soothing, almost like a reminder that life keeps moving, no matter how chaotic it gets.

As I sipped my coffee, I let my mind wander. It felt good to be out here, alone, with no one to answer to. I thought about the last few months—moving to Manhattan, starting a new job, raising Ivy on my own. It was a lot. Sometimes I didn't know if I was doing it right, but moments like this reminded me that I didn't need to have it all figured out.

After a while, I got up and continued walking, letting the day unfold. I took myself to a small bistro I'd passed by a hundred times but never had the chance to visit. I ordered a light lunch, treating myself to a glass of wine, feeling like I was finally allowing myself the luxury of enjoying life on my own terms.

I laughed a little to myself—here I was, sitting in a bustling city, on a date with myself. It wasn't what I expected for Valentine's Day, but maybe it was exactly what I needed.

As the afternoon turned to evening, I decided to cap off my solo adventure with a trip to one of my favorite bookstores. I browsed the shelves leisurely, picking up a few books for both Ivy and myself. Something about losing myself in the pages of a new story felt like the perfect way to end the day.

With the sun beginning to set, I slowly made my way back home, feeling refreshed, like I'd hit a reset button. Today had been about me, and that was okay. For once, I had given myself permission to be the center of my own world.

When I reached my apartment, Ivy's giggles could already be heard through the door, and I smiled to myself, knowing my little break was over but also feeling grateful that I took the time.

Maybe I didn't need anyone else today to remind me of who I was. Maybe I was enough.

As I stood outside my apartment, an idea crossed my mind. I wanted to bring Ivy a little treat from Juls' restaurant as a surprise. She had mentioned how much she loved the food there, and I thought it would be a nice touch to end the day. With that in mind, I decided not to go straight inside. Instead, I headed toward the restaurant.

The streets were bustling with the energy of Valentine's Day, and the crisp evening air felt invigorating. I arrived at the restaurant and was greeted by the warm glow of its exterior. The ambiance inside was always inviting, and tonight, it seemed even more lively.

As I entered, I was hit by the delicious aroma of gourmet dishes and the sound of laughter and chatter. I was taken aback by the sight of Nat and her whole staff enjoying a dinner together. They were in high spirits, which was a pleasant surprise.

But what truly stunned me was seeing Linc at the table. His bored expression was immediately replaced with surprise when our eyes met. Linc was impossible to miss, with his piercing blue eyes that seemed to read straight through me, dark hair falling in effortless waves, and a jawline that looked like it was carved from stone. He was all sharp angles and devastating appeal, the kind of man who commanded attention even in a crowded room.

For a moment, the room seemed to freeze. I felt a rush of emotions as I stared at him, my heart pounding in my chest. I could see the same shock reflected in his ice-blue eyes, and it was clear he was processing the unexpected encounter.

Juls, who was sitting with Nat and the rest of the crew, noticed me standing at the entrance. His face lit up with surprise, clearly not expecting to see me. "Sign!" he called out, waving me over. "Come join us!"

I felt a wave of panic. I wasn't prepared to see Linc here, especially because I didn't want him to know about Ivy. I took a deep breath, trying to keep my composure. The last thing I wanted was for Linc to find out about our daughter or for things to get even more complicated.

"I... I can't stay," I said, forcing a polite smile. "I just came to grab something to go."

Juls looked puzzled. "Are you sure? We'd love to have you."

I hesitated, glancing back at Linc, who was still staring at me, his expression a mix of confusion and curiosity. I could feel the weight of the past pressing down on me. "I'm sure. I just need to go."

Before anyone could respond, I turned and walked out of the restaurant, my heart heavy with the unresolved emotions and the knowledge that I had left so much unsaid. The evening was supposed to be a simple outing for a treat, but it had turned into a confrontation with the past I wasn't ready to face.

As I stepped out into the cool night air, I felt a mixture of relief and regret. I had avoided a difficult encounter, but I knew I couldn't keep running from the truths I had left behind.

I wandered through the streets, my mind in a whirl after the unexpected encounter at the restaurant. My steps felt heavy, and the vibrant energy of the city seemed distant and unimportant. I was lost in thought, replaying the moment over and over in my head, when I was startled by a familiar voice calling out to me.

"Sign! Wait up!"

I turned to see Nat hurrying toward me. My initial instinct was to keep walking, but she caught up with me and stopped, her expression a mix of concern and curiosity.

"Hi, I'm Nat," she said, extending a hand. "I'm sorry for intruding. I just—" she hesitated, "I couldn't help but notice what happened back there."

I looked at her, unsure of what to say. "It's okay," I replied, trying to keep my tone neutral. "It was unexpected, but I appreciate your concern."

Nat nodded, her eyes searching mine. "I know this might be awkward, but I'm familiar with the history between you and Juls. And I didn't have to ask if the little girl with you on Christmas Eve was your daughter. It was pretty obvious."

Her words hit me like a punch to the gut. I felt my frustration rising. "I see. And what exactly do you think you know?"

Nat took a deep breath. "I've been working with Linc for a while now, and he's mentioned losing the love of his life. I might not know the whole story, but it's clear to me that you're the person he was talking about. I think both of you need to talk."

My irritation flared. "You don't know the first thing about my life, Nat. You don't understand what's going on between Linc and me. It's not your place to tell me what I should or shouldn't do."

Nat's expression softened slightly, but she didn't back down. "I get that. I just think that if there's something unresolved, it might be worth addressing. You don't have to listen to me, but maybe think about it."

I took a deep breath, trying to control my emotions. "Thank you for your concern, but this is something I need to handle in my own time. I appreciate you reaching out, but I need to go."

Nat gave me a sympathetic nod. "Alright. I'm sorry if I overstepped. If you ever want to talk, I'm here."

With that, she turned and walked away, leaving me standing there with a whirlwind of thoughts and emotions. I was grateful for her concern, but I couldn't shake the feeling that she didn't fully understand the complexity of my situation. I needed to clear my head and focus on what was best for me and Ivy, without letting anyone else's opinions cloud my judgment.

As I continued down the street, the weight of the day seemed to press down on me even harder. I wondered how life could be so unfair. It was Valentine's Day—a day meant for celebrating love and affection—but instead, it felt like I was getting my heart broken all over again. Seeing Linc after all these years was like reopening old wounds that I thought had long since healed.

I had hoped for a day where I could focus on myself and enjoy a break from my responsibilities, but instead, I was confronted with a painful reminder of my past. Life had a cruel way of throwing unexpected challenges my way, and today was no exception.

It was supposed to be a day filled with warmth and love, but all it brought me was confusion and hurt. As I walked, I couldn't help but think that Valentine's Day was the last day I expected to face such emotional turmoil. I needed to find a way to move past this and focus on what truly mattered—my daughter and my own well-being.

For now, I would take things one step at a time and try to find some solace in the fact that, despite everything, I still had my own strength and determination to lean on.