Bright Mills

Emma Lawson, a 29-year-old marketing consultant living in Chicago, always thought she had her life in order. She’s practical, career-driven, and cautious about romance after her long-term boyfriend cheated on her two years ago. She convinces herself that love is just a distraction that only leads to pain. But then she meets Daniel Reed, a 32-year-old architect who recently returned to the city after spending years abroad. Daniel is charming but grounded, carrying his own emotional wounds his fiancée suddenly left him before their wedding, making him hesitant to open up again. Their paths cross at a charity event through a mutual friend, and despite the circumstances, there’s an immediate connection though both are wary of risking vulnerability. Still, life keeps bringing them together through work interactions, mutual friends, and unexpected run-ins. As they grow closer, Daniel begins to feel feelings Emma thought she had buried deep, while Emma challenges him to confront the pain from his past. Just as they’re about to admit their feelings, Emma gets offered a major promotion in New York, forcing her to choose between the life she’s known and the man who makes her feel alive again. This story about second chances, opening up, and the bravery needed to love again shows that sometimes, our hearts know what we’re too scared to say out loud.

Zira Adams

When Our Hearts Spoke: Vulnerability and heartbreak

Create an account