There was one thing Darya didn’t tell Micah—she was grateful for the experience, despite the heavy price she paid. It reminded her that she couldn’t have everything she wanted. Growing up, she had basked in the adoration of her three brothers and doting father, feeling like a princess. Micah represented the first major setback in her life. The more resistance he put up, the more intrigued she grew. It became an obsession of hers to win him over. She kept chipping away at the wall he put up, for three whole years. But it was time to stop. Despite all the heartache, she had learned tremendously from the experience, thanks to Micah. But she wasn’t about to let him have the satisfaction of knowing that. As Micah watched Darya leave, regret surged in his heart.

