I always believed I could maintain control over my life. I fill my days to the brim, and somehow, everything falls into place, just as I intend.

But not him. He’s wandered off the well-trodden paths, disregarding all of life’s rules and the directions I once clung to. And my world—once inhabited by a weary, restless woman—has transformed into one filled with genuine happiness. Astonishingly, it only took him a moment to achieve that.

Merlin’s words drift toward me from some distant memory: “When people grow weary of running away…”

I think of him—the wizard, the enigma. His words intoxicate me, pulling me into deep reflection. In that moment, I’m oblivious to the world around me. The birds’ song, the hum of cars, the warmth of the sunlight on my skin, and the playful touch of the wind on my lips—all fade into silence.

It feels as though I’m still trapped in the embrace of last night. His touch lingers on my body, and the scent of him remains faintly on the pillow. But his absence? It’s suffocating. Why do I yearn for him so much?

I’ve never once allowed myself to admit I could be wrong. I’ve never fully accepted that anything was right, either. I haven’t even granted myself the luxury of relaxing, of letting go. I always hesitate, always searching for something else. But now? Now I’m entangled in a mixture of emotions—guilt for how quickly it all happened, certainty in its truth, and relief in its long-awaited arrival.

Truth be told, I’ve never toyed with destiny like this before. This is my first time. And I must confess—I’ve lost. Congratulations to fate.

Merlin’s voice lingers in my mind: “But sometimes, the hardest doors to open are the ones that lead to truth…”

When I think of doors, I imagine the door to life itself, leading into a void of stagnation and broken illusions. Who would have thought I’d find laughter in the wreckage? It’s as if my face was a fragile vessel, shattered by carelessly thrown stones. The glass broke, and it left scars. But they’ve healed. And yet, nothing has ever been quite the same.

Even with the changes, I find myself laughing again. And surely, after everything, I’m entitled to that, aren’t I?