Natalie''s expression flickered for a moment. October za was one of


    Sebastian''s properties. He had named it that because Joanna''s birthday, like hers, was on October first. When he opened the mall, that was the name he chose.


    Seeing Queena''s excited face, she didn''t object. She had truly given up on Sebastian, and the mention of the mall barely caused a ripple in her emotions. She would never give him the chance to hurt her again.


    "Okay, let''s go! It''s still early. We can shop until ten and then grab somete-night food."


    Queenaughed. "See? This is why going out at night is so dangerous. The food trucks are everywhere, just waiting to tempt you."


    Natalie nced down at her slender frame. She had trouble gaining weight, especially when she was immersed in a project. "Come on, Queena, a little treat now and then won''t hurt. There''s a great street food market nearby. I''ll take you."


    Seeing her friend so happy, Queena slung an arm around her shoulders. "That''s the spirit, Natalie! Seize the day! Life''s too short to mope."


    "Exactly," Natalie quipped back. "Moneyes and goes, but happiness is now."


    Laughing, the two of them left. Natalie drove, and with no traffic, they reached their destination in half an hour. She rarely had time to go out shopping in the evenings before. She was always busy preparing Sebastian''s dinner and cleaning the house. Looking back, those years felt like a suffocating prison.


    Now, she felt wonderfully free. Stepping out of the car, she looked up at the towering buildings, their neon lights painting the night sky in a vibrant tapestry of color. She took a deep breath. She had worked so hard for a future with Sebastian, and he had never even noticed. It felt so liberating to no longer have to try.


    When Queena got out of the car, Natalie shook off her thoughts and linked her arm through her friend''s. "Come on, let''s go in."


    Queena nced up at therge sign. "Why is it called October za?"


    Natalie smiled faintly. "It''s one of Sebastian''s properties. Joanna was born on October first, so he named it for her."


    Queena stopped in her tracks. "Oh, Natalie, I''m so sorry. We shouldn''t havee here. Let''s go somewhere else."


    Natalie chuckled. "Why? We''re here to spend money, not to start trouble. It''s fine."


    "I don''t want you to be sad," Queena said earnestly.


    Natalie shook her head. "I''m not. Only fools let themselves be tormented by love, and I don''t want to be a fool anymore. I know what I


    want now. I''mot lost I''m Rat


    I''m just focused on bing a wealthier happier version of myself


    Understanding dawned on Queena''s face.


    "That pulled her friend forward.


    "That''s my girl. If you can''t hold onto the sand, just let it slip through your fingers."


    ind


    "Exactly," Natalie said with a genuine smile They took the elevator uppletely unaware of the fall figure following them from a distance.


    They headed to the third-floor women''s department. Queena was looking for


    casual wear, and they found a store with a style she liked.