PART 23 - "Glow-Up & Closed Doors"
Scene: 6 Months Later - Chicago, IL
The skyline blinked like diamonds behind me as I stepped onto the rooftop of Rosewood Publishing.
Tonight was my debut book signing.
Hardcover copies of "No Ring, No Regret" lined the tables - my memoir about heartbreak, healing, and not walking back down that aisle.
I wore a fitted white satin jumpsuit - backless, with gold accents that kissed my caramel skin. My hair curled in soft layers down my back. Red bottom heels clicked across the tiles like a warning to any man brave enough to try me.
And Nova? Sitting on a little velvet couch, dressed like a mini version of me - already signing her name with crayon hearts.
I was her example now. Her protector.
No more unfinished love. No more lies hidden behind tuxedos and Tom Ford cologne.
Scene: The Glow-Up Crowd
The crowd was a buzz of media, fans, and former coworkers who were now quiet supporters.
Even Jasmine was here. Pregnant again, but surprisingly calm. She walked up to me with a soft smile.
"You killed this," she whispered. "I hated you once. But I was hurting. And now… I see you."
I nodded. "Healing changes us. If we let it."
We hugged briefly, and I let her go - literally and figuratively.
But my glow-up wasn't finished.
Because he walked in.
Scene: Devon Returns
Devon stepped through the sliding glass doors like a thunderstorm in a suit.
6'2, fresh cut, deep navy coat with black lapels, loafers that whispered money - but it was the look in his eyes that burned: regret, longing, awe.
He wasn't alone.
A woman held his hand. A tall, mocha-skinned beauty with almond eyes and a tight ponytail. She looked like everything I once wanted to be - soft and secure, standing beside him with no history behind her eyes.
But when he saw me?
His whole world paused.
Scene: The Conversation
He pulled away gently from the woman and walked toward me, ignoring the cameras, the murmurs.
"Leprinthinya…"
"You showed up," I said, still signing books.
"I couldn't stay away. I read every page of your book. I lived every paragraph of your pain. And I came to say thank you."
"Thank you?" I raised a brow.
"For walking away. Because it made me finally become the man I should've been the moment I met you."
The woman behind him stood frozen, unsure whether to pull him back or let him go.
"Her name's Kiara," he said. "We met at a grief support group. She knows everything. I don't lie anymore."
"That's good," I said, cool but kind. "You needed that."
He nodded, swallowing hard.
"I still love you."
"But I love me," I said softly. "And that's not something I'm willing to compromise again."
Scene: The Real Closure
Devon leaned down, kissed Nova's forehead, and smiled at me with misty eyes.
"I'll always be proud of you."
"Then do me a favor," I said, voice unwavering, "and don't look back this time."
He left. Kiara followed.
And I finally closed the last door of that chapter.
Scene: The Surprise Ending
Later that night, after the crowd faded, I stood alone with the city lights dancing around me.
That's when he stepped forward - a new man, tall with dreadlocks, soft brown eyes, caramel skin, and a shy smile.
"Your daughter signed my book," he said with a laugh. "She said, 'This is from Mommy. She writes about love but she's still waiting on hers.'"
I smiled wide.
"She's not wrong."
He extended a hand.
"I'm Elias. I think I might be the chapter you haven't written yet."