Claire sat at her desk in the penthouse. She could hear the soft sounds of Ethan in his office. Her fingers hovered over her laptop, feeling a mix of excitement and anxiety. It had been a week since their talk, and nothing had changed. The space between them felt bigger. Every time Claire tried to connect, he pushed her away. So, she decided: she wouldn't let this situation control her. She was going to find her way.
Claire always dreamed of planning events. Long before dealing with partnerships and corporate issues, she pictured herself hosting unforgettable events. But that dream had been pushed aside because of her family's expectations and her struggles with Ethan.
Now, in the quiet of the penthouse, she started to carve out her own space. Every evening, after Ethan was busy with work, Claire would focus on her plans. She spent hours looking up venues, checking event trends, and sketching out ideas for weddings and galas. She even reached out to potential clients using a secret email. Nothing big yet, but each small win brought her hope.
It wasn't that she didn't want Ethan to know. Deep down, she believed he'd support her if she just spoke up. But there wasn't any space for that in their relationship. It was always about him—his deals, his vision. Claire had learned that the hard way.
The penthouse felt empty, yet Claire's mind was racing. She found a wedding venue that had just the right mix of rustic and classy, and quickly took some notes. A part of her felt guilty for hiding this from Ethan, but she brushed it aside. She couldn't wait for him to be the partner she needed. It was time to build something of her own.
Still, the thought of telling Ethan bothered her. She didn't want to keep secrets, but every time she tried to talk, he shut her down. They hardly spoke as it was, and anything deeper felt too risky. Her business could be her escape—a way to find herself beyond Ethan's world.
Later that night, as Claire sat at the table for dinner, she felt a strong sense of how distant she had become from her life. Ethan sat across from her, lost in silence. They barely said a word all day. She tried to convince herself it didn't matter, that she had her things to focus on. But it did matter.
"How was your day?" she asked, putting down her fork, wanting to spark some sort of exchange.
Ethan didn't look up from his phone. "Fine," he replied without interest. "You?"
Claire hesitated. She could see he didn't care about her day, but she pushed on. "I've been busy with some work. A new project came up. It's exciting."
Ethan glanced up briefly, then back to his phone. "Good. Keep busy. It'll help."
Not exactly the support she hoped for. Claire had long accepted that he wouldn't show warmth or care. He was strictly business.
She finished dinner in silence. The only sounds were her utensils on the plate. After clearing the table, she felt a rush of thoughts. She had to prioritize her business. She couldn't let their cold living situation drain her dreams. But keeping it a secret was heavy on her mind.
The next day, with Ethan out for another meeting, Claire knew it was time to act. She was tired of waiting. She needed to take charge of her life and create something for herself.
She logged into her secret email account, where she had been secretly gathering clients. Most were just inquiries, but she had replied to each one, pitching her services with confidence. She had even designed a logo and started working on a website. It wasn't much, but it felt like she was stepping into her future.
One email stood out. A couple wanted help planning their spring wedding. Claire's heart raced as she read it. This could be the break she was looking for.
She typed back quickly, offering her services and a chance to meet. For the first time in days, Claire felt a spark of excitement. This was about her, her passion, her future. Hope was starting to grow.
Later that evening, Ethan came home late, as usual. Claire was in her room, still buzzing over the wedding details she had just scored. A small sense of pride filled her knowing she was building something, even if Ethan didn't know.
As he walked into the living room, he shot her a glance. "How's the project going?" he asked as if it was just another business question.
Claire paused. She didn't want to lie, but she wasn't ready to share, either. "It's going well," she replied.
Ethan nodded, satisfied. He dropped his bag on the couch and headed to his office. Claire took a deep breath, watching him go. The tension was still there, like a rule they both followed.
But tonight, Claire felt something change inside her. It wasn't huge, but it was enough to keep her moving forward. She had her dreams, and she didn't need Ethan to make them happen.
Days turned into weeks, and Claire dived deeper into her event planning. She kept communicating with clients in secret, growing her portfolio and making connections. Each night, after Ethan settled into his routine, she worked late, finalizing details and creating beautiful designs.
The tension still hung in the air. Ethan had no clue about her hidden business. She worried about how he'd react when he found out. But for now, she decided to focus on the present—the chance that was finally hers.
One night, as Claire prepared for another long work session, a text buzzed from her mom. "How's everything? Have you taken time for yourself?"
Claire smiled. Her mom's words always reminded her that, no matter what happened, she had family who loved her.
She quickly replied, "It's going well, Mom. I've been busy with a new project, and it's exciting."
Her mom responded fast. "I'm proud of you, Claire. Remember, you don't have to do it all alone."
Claire's heart warmed. She didn't have to do this by herself. She had her family, her dreams, and her strength. She knew she could make it.
Ethan's world might be cold and distant, but Claire was slowly carving out her own. No matter what happened to him, she wouldn't lose sight of the future she was building.