Four years later, Sienna’s graduation day was absolutely perfect – one of those crisp London spring days where the sun streams through the ceremony hall windows, making everything look like a movie.
Standing at the podium in her cap and gown, diploma in hand, Sienna gave her valedictorian speech with the kind of confidence that comes from actually figuring your shit out.
“Finally, I have to thank Professor Daniel Hayes,” she said, her voice carrying easily through the packed hall as she found his face in the crowd.
“Not just for being an amazing mentor, but for showing me what healthy love actually looks like. It’s not about losing yourself for someone else – it’s about building something together where you both get stronger.”
The audience went wild.
Daniel was sitting in the front row looking ridiculously proud in his fancy suit, practically beaming.
He was hiding something in his jacket pocket – a ring he’d custom–made himself during three consecutive all–nighters. The band was engraved with a constellation pattern inspired by that nerdy conversation they’d had at orientation four years ago.
When Sienna walked off stage, Daniel stood up to meet her, smoothly taking her diploma while their hands found each other like muscle memory.
They didn’t need to say anything – just shared one of those looks that says everything.
Somewhere in the back of the crowd, Ryan looked completely out of place.
He was there representing some high–end architectural firm from Boston, but he might as well have been a ghost. He watched Sienna and Daniel under the spotlights, accepting congratulations and looking stupidly happy together.
For just a second, she looked like that girl with the messy ponytail he’d known forever. Then reality kicked in, and he saw her for who she actually was now – someone who’d grown into a person he’d never really bothered to understand.
She’d moved on completely. And he’d never been more irrelevant.
After graduation wrapped up, students started filtering out of the hall.
Chapter 20
Ryan intercepted Sienna and Daniel just as they were heading to the exit.
He was dressed perfectly expensive suit, hair slicked back – but he looked exhausted underneath all the polish.
“Sienna.” His voice was steadier than expected. “I hope you’re really happy.”
Sienna looked at him without anger, just polite distance. “Thanks. I hope you find your happiness
too.”
Ryan nodded and glanced at Daniel, who stood protectively beside Sienna with this quiet, devoted energy that was impossible to miss.
He almost smiled then, like he was finally letting go of something heavy, and turned to walk away.
That’s when he heard the soft sound behind him.
Ryan couldn’t help but look back, just in time to see Daniel lean down and kiss Sienna’s forehead tenderly.
Sunlight caught their joined hands as Daniel slipped that silver ring onto her finger – a perfect fit, obviously custom–made just for her.
Sienna looked up at Daniel with this radiant smile and melted into his arms, completely secure in his love.
They didn’t even notice Ryan still standing there, frozen in place. They just walked away together like any happy couple, lost in their own little world.
Ryan stood there alone, something cracking open in his chest.
It wasn’t the sharp pain he’d been carrying around for years this was different. Hollow. Final.
He finally understood that Sienna wasn’t playing games or waiting for him to get his act together. She’d genuinely found her person, built a real life with someone who actually deserved her.
And he’d never been part of that equation.
He watched them disappear down the corridor – Daniel’s arm around Sienna’s waist, her laughing at something he whispered, the casual intimacy of two people who just belonged together.
Only after they were completely gone did Ryan slowly raise his hands to cover his face.
Hot tears slipped through his fingers and hit the polished floor.
Chapter 201
The obsession that had defined him since childhood, that had consumed fifteen years of his life, was
finally over.
Church bells chimed in the distance, solemn and final – like the closing notes of a song that had played way too long.
Ryan was ready to let her go.
