Four years had flown by since that life-changing day when Noah had entered Scarlett's world. Time had worked its magic, mending the wounds inflicted by her father's loss and shaping Scarlett into a resilient and determined young 20-year-old woman.
Now, she found herself embarking on the exciting journey of her third year in college, fully immersed in the captivating realm of business studies. The halls of the university had become her second home, bustling with eager students and professors who fueled her passion for learning and personal growth.
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At Home:
As she sat at her cluttered desk, surrounded by a chaotic array of textbooks and study guides, she couldn't help but let her mind drift, reflecting on just how far she had come.
Her gaze drifted to a framed photograph of her father. His warm smile seemed to offer her encouragement.
"Who would've thought, Dad?" Scarlett mused aloud, a mischievous smile tugging at the corners of her lips. "I went from being a rebellious teenager to actually appreciating the company of an adult. It's a miracle!"
The memory of their first encounters brought a soft smile to Scarlett's lips. Noah, the reserved and introverted businessman, had cautiously taken the role of her guardian. She couldn't help but reminisce about how she had initially disrupted his peaceful existence with her non-stop chatter. But instead of getting angry, Noah had surprised her with his unwavering calmness.
"Oh, the debates we had," A twinkle of mischief in her eyes. "I swear, I could almost see smoke coming out of his ears. But he never lost his cool. That man has the patience of a saint."
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However, Scarlett's journey hadn't been all fun and games.
Scarlett's heart grew heavy as she thought about the pain and grief that had consumed her in the early days. The loss of her father had left a void that seemed impossible to fill.
She clenched her fists, frustration, and anger surging through her. "Why, Dad?" she exclaimed, her voice tinged with sadness. "Why did you have to leave me? There are days when I feel so lost without you. I needed you. I still do."
Tears welled up in her eyes as she grappled with the raw emotions that resurfaced. It was in those moments of vulnerability that Noah had shown his true colors. He had been her rock, the steady presence she desperately needed.
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She reached out a trembling hand, gently tracing the edges of her father's face captured in the image.
"Dad," she whispered, her voice quivering with emotion. "Noah... He's a good man. He's been there for me, every step of the way. The one I trust the most."
Her words hung in the air, heavy with a mix of gratitude and concern. Scarlett's heart ached with a tinge of guilt as she continued to pour her thoughts out to her father.
"But sometimes, Dad, I can't help but feel selfish," she admitted, her voice tinged with sadness. "Noah is alone. He's devoted himself to taking care of me, putting my needs before his own. I see the weight he carries, the sacrifices he makes, and it hurts me to think that it's because of me."
A conflicted expression crossed Scarlett's face as she grappled with her emotions. She knew that Noah had willingly taken on the responsibility of being her guardian, but she couldn't shake off the nagging feeling that it was limiting his own happiness.
"He deserves to find happiness too, Dad," she said softly, her voice filled with genuine concern. "I know he's capable of managing everything, and he's done a remarkable job so far. But deep down, I can't help but wonder if I'm holding him back from finding love, from building a life of his own."
A heavy sigh escaped Scarlett's lips as she wrestled with her conflicting emotions. She longed to give Noah the space and freedom to pursue his own happiness, to allow him the opportunity to find someone he could love and build a life with. However, she couldn't deny the overwhelming attachment she felt towards him.
"I want him to find someone he loves, Dad," she continued, her voice filled with a mixture of longing. "I want him to have a life beyond taking care of me."
She cherished their bond and the comfort of his presence, but she also yearned for his happiness and the chance for him to create a life that didn't revolve solely around her.
"I wish there was something more I could do for him, Dad," Scarlett whispered, her voice filled with sincerity. "I want to show him that I appreciate his love and dedication, but I also want to give him the opportunity to find his own joy. I want to see him smile, to witness him living a life that's not overshadowed by his responsibility towards me."
"But, Dad, do you know what scares me the most?" she whispered, her voice trembling with vulnerability. "I'm already so fond of him. I fear that as I strive to give him space and allow him to find his own happiness, my fondness for him will only deepen. I'm afraid my own heart will betray me, making it difficult for me to let go completely. And that terrifies me."
She couldn't help but feel a pang of self-criticism. "How pathetic I am," she thought, a mix of frustration and self-doubt clouding her mind.
The thought of moving forward without Noah by her side seemed both liberating and heartbreaking. She couldn't forgive herself for harboring these conflicting emotions, for wanting to protect their bond while also wishing for his personal fulfillment.
"I shouldn't think about it, Dad," she continued, her voice quivering with self-doubt. "I should focus on supporting him, on creating the space he needs. "
"And I promise, Dad," she whispered, her voice filled with both sorrow and resolve. "I'll let him go. I'll let Noah find his own happiness, even if it means I have to face the pain of letting him go."
Closing her eyes, Scarlett let the weight of Noah's absence sink in. "He's in Italy now, probably taking care of business and making things happen," she whispered