It had been a year since Drake's death, but for Awa Carpenter, time hadn't dulled the sharp edges of her grief. Instead, it had embedded them deeper, making each day feel like a fresh wound. The mornings were the worst—waking up in the small, cramped apartment she shared with her daughter, Beatrice, and feeling the suffocating absence of the life she once thought she'd have. Drake was gone, his betrayal still echoing in the dark corners of her mind, but it wasn't just his death that haunted her. It was the way he had lived, the secrets, the lies. The man she'd loved had been a stranger all along, and now, she was left to pick up the pieces of a life she no longer recognized.
Beatrice was the only thing that kept her anchored. Her bright, innocent eyes and sweet smile were the only reasons Awa got out of bed each day. If it weren't for her daughter, Awa was sure she would've lost herself completely—maybe even ended it all. There had been nights when the thought of taking her own life slipped into her mind like a shadow, dark and tempting. But then Beatrice would call out for her, needing her mother, and Awa would snap out of it, forcing herself to push through another day.
Her mother, Marie, and her younger sister, Tina, had been her lifeline during those early months after Drake's death. They moved into her small apartment, helping take care of Beatrice, cooking meals, and reminding Awa to shower, eat, and simply breathe. Without them, Awa didn't know how she would have survived. But now, a year later, their well-meaning presence had begun to feel like an invasion, a constant reminder that she wasn't whole, wasn't enough on her own.
"Awa, you need to get out more," Tina said one afternoon, her voice both gentle and insistent as she sat across the table from Awa, folding laundry while Beatrice napped.
Awa glared at her over the rim of her coffee cup. "I get out," she muttered. "I go to the grocery store, don't I?"
Tina rolled her eyes. "That's not what I mean, and you know it. I'm talking about actually living again, Awa. You're barely going through the motions."
"And whose fault is that?" Awa shot back, her voice rising with anger. She hated when they ganged up on her, always trying to tell her how to live, how to grieve. "Maybe I'm still trying to figure out how to move on from the fact that my husband—the father of my child—was a criminal who got himself killed. Sorry if that takes longer than a year!"
Marie, standing by the sink washing dishes, sighed but kept her back to Awa. "No one's telling you to forget what happened," she said, her voice calm but heavy with the weariness of a mother who had seen too much suffering in her daughter. "But, baby, you can't keep living like this. Beatrice needs you. She needs her mother back, not this… shell you've become."
Awa slammed her cup down on the table, the coffee sloshing over the edge. "I'm doing the best I can, alright? I don't need you two constantly reminding me of how much I'm failing."
Tina threw a pair of socks into the laundry basket with a little too much force. "No one said you're failing, Awa! We're just worried about you. It's been a year. You deserve to find some happiness again. Drake wasn't—" she hesitated, choosing her next words carefully, "—he wasn't good to you. Not in the end."
Awa's chest tightened with the familiar rush of anger. She stood abruptly, the chair scraping against the floor. "Stop telling me how to feel about Drake! You didn't know him like I did. You didn't see the good in him before everything went wrong."
Tina's expression softened, and she stood, crossing the room to place a hand on Awa's shoulder. "I know you loved him, Awa. But he's gone. He's not coming back, and you can't keep living in this place of pain. We're not trying to hurt you. We just want you to move forward, to have a life again."
Awa pulled away from her sister's touch, the anger simmering beneath her skin. "I am moving forward. I'm raising Beatrice. Isn't that enough?"
But even as the words left her mouth, Awa knew they weren't true. She wasn't living. She was merely surviving, floating through the days in a haze of grief and anger, unsure of how to rebuild her shattered life.
Later that night, Awa sat on the edge of her bed, staring blankly at the framed photo of her and Drake from their wedding day. She had stopped herself from looking at it for so long, but now, she couldn't tear her eyes away. The boyish grin on his face, the way he had looked at her with such love and promise—it felt like a lifetime ago. That man no longer existed, and Awa had to remind herself that the person she had loved was gone long before he died.
A soft knock at her bedroom door interrupted her thoughts, and before she could respond, the door opened, and Tina stepped inside.
"I'm sorry for earlier," Tina said quietly, closing the door behind her. "I know we're being pushy. We just… we just miss you, Awa."
Awa sighed, running a hand through her hair. "I know. I just—I don't know how to do this, Tina. I don't know how to move on from everything. It still hurts so much."
Tina sat down beside her on the bed, her expression gentle but determined. "Maybe it'll always hurt, but that doesn't mean you can't find happiness again. You deserve to. Drake wasn't—he wasn't good to you, and he definitely didn't deserve the grief you're carrying for him. You deserve more than that."
Awa said nothing, her gaze dropping to her hands in her lap. She didn't know if she could ever believe that. Drake had been her everything, even when things fell apart. How could she just forget him and move on?
"I've been talking to someone," Tina said suddenly, her voice a little too casual, as though she'd been planning this for a while.
Awa's brow furrowed in confusion. "Talking to who?"
"A guy. For you."
Awa's stomach twisted, and she shot Tina an exasperated look. "Tina, no. I'm not—"
"Just listen for a second, okay?" Tina interrupted, holding up her hands defensively. "I know you've had some bad dates. And yeah, maybe they weren't the best guys. But I really think you should meet this one. His name is Humphrey Norris. He's older, successful, really nice, and—"
"Older?" Awa cut in, raising an eyebrow. "Like, how much older?"
Tina smirked. "Not that much older. He's in his early forties, I think. He's established, mature, and honestly, Awa, I think he could be really good for you."
Awa groaned, dropping her face into her hands. "Tina, I'm not ready. I've already been on a few dates, and they were disasters. I don't want to do this anymore."
"I know," Tina said softly. "But just give this one a try. One last time. If it doesn't work out, I'll never bother you about dating again. I promise."
Awa sighed heavily, her heart pounding with hesitation. The idea of opening herself up to someone new, after everything that had happened, seemed terrifying. But Tina's hopeful expression wore her down, and despite herself, she found herself nodding.
"Fine. One last time."
Tina beamed, hugging her tightly. "You won't regret this sis. I promise."
The date was set for Friday night, and as Awa stood in front of the mirror, adjusting the simple black dress she'd chosen, she couldn't help but feel a knot of anxiety tightening in her stomach. Her heart raced with a mix of nerves and apprehension. This was supposed to be her chance at something new, something different. But could she really do it? Could she let someone else in?
Beatrice, now three, ran into the room, her little feet pattering against the floor. "Mommy, you look pretty!" she chirped, her smile wide.
Awa smiled despite her nerves, bending down to pick Beatrice up. "Thank you, baby. I'm going out for a little while tonight, okay? Auntie Tina and Grandma are going to stay with you."
Beatrice's face scrunched up in a pout. "I want to come with you."
Awa laughed softly, kissing Beatrice's cheek. "Not tonight, sweetie. This is a grown-up thing. I'll be back soon."
After a few more goodnight kisses and reassurances, Awa found herself standing outside, waiting for her date. When Humphrey Norris arrived, pulling up in a sleek, black luxury car, Awa's breath caught in her throat. He stepped out, a tall, well-dressed man with salt-and-pepper hair and a confident but kind smile, his presence exuding a quiet power. Humphrey Norris wasn't just older, he was composed, self-assured in a way that the men Awa had been on previous dates with weren't. As he approached her, his gaze was warm, but there was something about the way he carried himself that made Awa's stomach twist with a mix of excitement and nerves. Maybe it was his confidence, or maybe it was that unmistakable air of wealth and success that radiated from him.
"Awa?" Humphrey greeted her with a smile that was both charming and surprisingly gentle. "You look absolutely stunning."
Awa felt her cheeks flush. "Thank you. You're, um, not looking too bad yourself." Her voice was shaky, betraying the unease she was trying to hide.
Humphrey chuckled softly, offering his arm to her. "Shall we?"
They started the evening with a candlelit dinner at an upscale restaurant that Awa had only ever seen in magazines. The soft flicker of candlelight reflected off the polished silverware and the rich, dark wood of the tables. The scent of gourmet dishes filled the air, and the quiet hum of conversation around them made everything feel intimate, almost too perfect.
Awa shifted in her seat, still feeling a little out of place. She wasn't used to this kind of luxury, not after the years she spent in their small, modest apartment, scraping by. But Humphrey seemed to notice her discomfort. His voice, calm and reassuring, broke through her tension.
"I can't imagine this must be easy for you," he said, his gaze steady but kind. "Starting over. It must feel like walking into the unknown."
Awa swallowed hard, her throat tightening. "It does," she admitted, looking down at her plate. "It's been a year since I lost Drake, but it still feels… raw. I'm trying to move on, but it's hard. Especially with everyone constantly telling me what I should do."
There it was. The truth she'd been holding in. The frustration, the anger, the overwhelming sense of loss that felt like it was consuming her from the inside out.
Humphrey nodded thoughtfully, his fingers gently swirling the glass of wine in front of him. "Grief is strange that way. It has a way of hanging on, even when you want to let go. But Awa," he leaned in just slightly, his voice lowering to a more intimate tone, "you don't owe anyone anything when it comes to how you heal. It's your journey, and no one can rush you through it."
Awa felt a wave of unexpected emotion rise in her chest. She had been holding onto her anger at her mother, Tina, even her friends for pushing her toward something she wasn't ready for. But sitting here with Humphrey, hearing those words, she realized something important: maybe no one knew what she needed, not even herself.
"You're right," she said, her voice barely above a whisper. "But it's hard to know when you're ready to start again. It feels too soon."
Humphrey nodded, a small smile playing at his lips. "And yet, you're here. That says something, doesn't it?"
Awa paused, considering his words. Maybe he was right. She was here. She had agreed to this, despite the fear and doubt that clawed at her. Maybe there was a part of her, buried beneath the layers of grief and guilt, that did want to move forward. To see if there was life beyond the wreckage Drake had left behind.
The rest of dinner was surprisingly easy. Humphrey was a natural conversationalist, able to make Awa laugh with stories of his early business failures, the kind that seemed impossible now given his success. There was no rush, no pressure to perform. Just two people sharing a meal, learning about each other in a way that felt… good. Awa hadn't felt good in so long.
After dinner, Humphrey took her to the waterfront, where a private boat awaited them. Awa had never been on a boat cruise, and she wasn't sure if it was nerves or excitement that made her hands tremble slightly as she stepped aboard. The boat was elegant, with soft, comfortable seating and a bottle of champagne chilling on ice. The night air was crisp, the stars glittering above them as the boat glided smoothly over the water.
Humphrey poured them both a glass of champagne, and as they drifted farther from the shore, he sat beside her, close enough that Awa could feel the warmth of his presence without it being overwhelming. She sipped her champagne slowly, savoring the moment, feeling the tension she had been carrying for so long begin to ease.
"This is beautiful," she said softly, staring out at the dark water, the moonlight reflecting off its surface. "I've never experienced anything like this before."
Humphrey smiled, his gaze following hers. "You deserve beautiful things, Awa. I hope tonight's been the start of something good for you."
Awa looked at him, feeling a sudden, unexpected warmth bloom in her chest. There was something about him—his calm, steady presence—that made her feel safe in a way she hadn't in a long time.
The dinner, the cruise, the conversation—everything felt so surreal to Awa. The night had been perfect, almost too perfect, and as she sat on the boat with Humphrey, sipping champagne under the star-studded sky, she couldn't shake the feeling that maybe she didn't deserve this moment. After everything she'd been through—after all the loss, the betrayal, and the pain—how could it be this easy to feel… content again?
Humphrey was watching her closely, his eyes soft but thoughtful. She could sense that he was weighing his words, as though he had something important to say. Her heart pounded in her chest, and she shifted nervously in her seat, unsure of what was coming next.
"Awa," Humphrey said quietly, breaking the silence. He set his glass down on the small table beside him and turned fully toward her, his expression earnest. "I just want to say how much I've enjoyed tonight. Getting to know you, talking about life… it's been a long time since I've felt this kind of connection with someone."
Awa's breath caught in her throat. She wasn't sure if she was ready to hear whatever came next. Part of her wanted to tell him to stop, to slow down, to give her more time to process everything, but another part of her—a part she hadn't acknowledged in a long time—felt a flicker of excitement at the idea that someone as kind and thoughtful as Humphrey could be interested in her.
"You're an amazing woman," he continued, his voice sincere. "I can see how much you've been through, and I know you're still healing from it. I don't want to rush you or overwhelm you. But… I would feel honored if you'd like to see me again. No pressure, no expectations. Just us, spending more time together. What do you think?"
Awa blinked, momentarily stunned by the simplicity of his offer. She had expected something more, something grandiose—a declaration of love, or maybe even a proposal. But instead, Humphrey had given her space. He wasn't pushing her, wasn't demanding anything from her. He was leaving the choice entirely in her hands.
Her chest tightened with a mix of emotions. She appreciated his gentleness, his understanding, but at the same time, she couldn't help but feel conflicted. The night had been wonderful, better than she could have imagined, but was she truly ready to open her heart again? Was she ready to let someone in after everything that had happened with Drake?
She looked out at the water, the moonlight shimmering on the waves as they lapped gently against the boat. The night was calm, peaceful, a stark contrast to the storm raging inside her. She could feel Humphrey's gaze on her, patient and unhurried, waiting for her answer. And that made it harder.
"I—" she began, her voice faltering as she tried to gather her thoughts. What could she say? Yes, she had enjoyed the night, but agreeing to see him again felt like a step she wasn't sure she could take. She wasn't even sure who she was anymore. The Awa who had loved Drake, who had believed in the future they were supposed to have together—she was gone. And the Awa that remained, the one left in the aftermath, wasn't sure she was ready to move forward.
Humphrey's hand brushed hers gently, grounding her in the moment. "It's okay," he said softly, his voice reassuring. "You don't have to decide anything right now. I just wanted you to know that I'd love to see you again if that's something you want. But no pressure. I promise."
Awa swallowed hard, her emotions swirling inside her like a whirlwind. She glanced at him, seeing the sincerity in his eyes, the quiet patience he offered. He wasn't Drake. He wasn't the reckless, charming boy who had swept her off her feet and broken her heart. Humphrey was steady, kind, safe. And yet, the weight of her past held her back.
"I don't know," she admitted finally, her voice barely above a whisper. "It's not you, Humphrey. It's just… everything. I'm not sure I'm ready to put myself out there again."
Humphrey nodded, his expression calm and understanding. "I understand. It's a lot to process, and I don't want to add to your burden. Take your time, Awa. I'll be here, whenever you're ready."
The warmth in his words touched her, but the uncertainty in her heart still lingered. She wanted to say yes. She wanted to believe that she could let herself be happy again. But the fear of getting hurt, of opening herself up to more pain, kept her hesitating.
For a long moment, they sat in silence, the boat gently rocking beneath them, the cool night air brushing against her skin. Awa could feel the weight of the decision pressing down on her, but the words wouldn't come. She couldn't give him an answer—not yet.
Instead, she offered a small, tentative smile, one that felt more like an apology than anything else. "Thank you, Humphrey. For tonight. It really meant a lot."
Humphrey smiled back, though there was a flicker of disappointment in his eyes. "The pleasure was mine, Awa. And like I said, I'll be here whenever you're ready."
The boat began to drift slowly back toward the dock, and Awa stared out at the dark water, her mind racing. She wasn't sure what the future held, but as the boat glided back to shore, she knew one thing: Humphrey had given her a glimpse of what her life could be if she allowed herself to take the risk.
But was she ready to take that step? Or would the fear of her past always hold her back?
As they docked and said their goodbyes, Awa couldn't help but hesitate one last time. The night had been magical, the kind of evening she hadn't thought she could experience again. And yet, she still wasn't sure if she was ready to say yes—to a future, to happiness, to the possibility of love.
As Humphrey drove away into the night, Awa stood there, watching the taillights disappear down the road. The air was cool and crisp, and for the first time in a long while, she felt a spark of something she hadn't felt in years—hope. But with that hope came hesitation, and Awa knew she had a decision to make.
Would she give Humphrey a chance? Or would she let her fear keep her from finding the happiness she so desperately wanted?
As she stood there under the stars, the question lingered, unanswered.