A new beginning
1020 Words
The next day came quietly, as if the world knew I couldn’t handle any more noise. My body still felt weak, but my heart felt heavier than everything I packed in my suitcase. But I knew I had to leave. Staying home meant staying in the same memories that broke me.
My mother helped me fold my clothes while Sarah arranged my toiletries. Daniel kept pacing around the room like a guard making sure I didn’t collapse again. Everyone was careful with me, speaking softly, moving gently. I appreciated them, but part of me also felt ashamed that they had to worry this much because of me.
Still, when I finally zipped my luggage and stood by the door, a small part of me felt ready. Not strong, not healed, but ready to step away from the place where everything shattered.
My father came to hug me before I left. “Stay as long as you need,” he whispered. “You don’t owe the world anything right now.”
I nodded in silence, swallowing the lump in my throat.
Daniel insisted on escorting me to the private jet his friend arranged. The car ride was quiet. Trees blurred past the window, and I let the silence settle around me like a blanket. I didn’t speak, and he didn’t push me to. The calm felt good. Strange, but good.
When we arrived at the small private runway, cold wind brushed against my cheeks. The jet sat waiting, sleek and elegant. The pilot bowed his head politely as if he knew my heart was fragile.
Daniel turned to me, his eyes soft. “Call me when you land.”
“I will.”
“And if you need anything, anything at all, tell me.”
“I will.”
He hesitated, then wrapped me in a strong hug. I closed my eyes and rested my forehead against his chest as he whispered, “You’re going to be okay, Jasmine.”
When he finally let go, I felt a single tear slip down my cheek, but it wasn’t from sadness this time. It was the warmth of being loved even when I felt broken.
I entered the jet, buckled myself in, and watched the world shrink beneath me as we took off. The sky spread out like a soft blanket of white and pale blue. For a moment, I let myself breathe.
Maybe the mountains really would give me space to heal.
The flight was short. Before long, the jet descended toward a vast stretch of land covered in soft white snow. The world below glowed under the winter sun. Tall pines lined the foothills, their branches heavy with frost. The scenery looked like something out of a painting.
When the plane finally touched down at the small landing area, I felt my heartbeat quicken not from fear, but from something quieter. Something gentler.
Hope. This is a second chance to get my life in order and even for the sake of my family, I will do that.
The pilot escorted me down the steps, and cold air wrapped around me immediately. I pulled my coat tighter. The mountains towered in front of me, tall and majestic. They looked peaceful. Untouchable.
At the foot of the mountain was a cable car station. The pilot carried my suitcase there and nodded toward the open cabin.
“This is where I leave you,” he said kindly. “Have a restful holiday, Ms. Jasmine.”
I thanked him softly and stepped into the cable car. As the doors slid shut and the cabin rose off the ground, my breath caught in my throat.
The view was breathtaking.
Snow-covered pines stretched endlessly beneath me. The sunlight sparkled on the ice like glitter scattered across the landscape. The higher the cable car climbed, the quieter the world became.
For the first time since the humiliating night, I felt something loosen inside my chest.
Peace.
Pure, calming peace.
When the cabin reached the top platform, I stepped out slowly, taking in the air — crisp, cold, fresh enough to sting my lungs. The resort sat in front of me, built from dark wood and glass. Warm lights glowed from the inside, making it look like a sanctuary waiting to shelter whoever walked through its doors.
But before I could take more than two steps, I noticed two men walking toward me.
Tall. Broad shoulders. Warm smiles.
Both wearing thick jackets that fit their muscular bodies perfectly.
The first one stepped forward, running a hand through his messy dark-brown hair. His eyes were warm hazel, soft yet alert, like someone who noticed everything.
“Welcome to FrostPeak Resort,” he said. “I’m Josh.”
The second man stood beside him, slightly taller, with deep blue eyes and dark hair falling over his forehead. He gave a polite nod but his smile was a little teasing, like he was already trying not to flirt.
“And I’m Miles,” he added. “We’re here to help you settle in.”
I blinked, realizing how handsome they both were. It wasn’t just regular attractiveness, there was a quiet confidence in their posture, a warmth in their voices, like people who lived far away from chaos and learned how to be gentle with the world.
Josh picked up my luggage without hesitation. “We heard you’ll be staying with us for the holiday. Your cabin is already warmed up.”
Miles gestured toward the resort path. “Our brothers and we run this place. So if you need anything, we’re just one call away.”
Brothers.
Plural.
My heart stuttered a little at the thought.
I gave a small, shy smile. “Thank you.”
Josh returned the smile with something soft in his eyes. “You’re safe here, Jasmine. We’ll take care of everything.”
As they guided me toward the resort, I felt the cold breeze wrap around me again.
But this time… it didn’t feel harsh.
It felt like a beginning.
A quiet one.
A gentle one.
And maybe — just maybe, a beginning I desperately needed.
- Writer
