After I made that promise to myself, I had decided never to return to the city where so much pain and turmoil had taken place. I had no desire to revisit those memories. I needed a break from it all after what had transpired, to escape the anger, pain, and regret. And that was okay. It was okay to take a respite, to walk away and feel like nothing would change. Because, in reality, there was nothing left to return to.

However, I couldn't fathom why I was still here. Despite years of running away, it seemed as though I couldn't escape completely.

My heart was racing, and I felt...