Chapter 14

Everything changed a little after I decided to be with Sylvia. People in the office looked at Sylvia and me differently. I couldn't quite describe it, but their eyes had a mix of surprise and happiness. I chose not to move in with Sylvia even though she hinted at the idea. I turned it down. To me, deciding to live together without fully understanding my own feelings and without introducing each other to our families didn't seem respectful to her. "When the time's right, I'll move in with you," I said, trying to keep a straight face. She looked a bit disappointed, but there was also joy in her eyes. "Alright, I'll go along with you for now. But soon, I'll take you to meet my parents. Hudson, I really like you. You're such a good man." In the month that followed, we spent time shopping, watching movies, dining out, and traveling together—it felt like when I had just started dating Selena. Those days with Sylvia were genuinely joyful. I thought happiness was finally within my reach—u