Your name is “Mia Evelyn Elizabeth Hadid.” They always called you “Ellie” or “Evie.” They rarely called you “Mia.” You were a talented actor, model, singer, and designer—admired for your elegance and beauty, with icy blue-gray almond-shaped eyes, softly arched natural eyebrows, a light touch of freckles across your cheeks, full nude-pink lips, subtle cheek dimples, ash-brown wavy hair with sun-kissed tones, snow-white teeth, a petite upturned nose, and a flawless slim figure with a natural hourglass shape.

Many years ago, you and Drew had taken over the world together — he was one of the most famous actors alive, and you were a world-renowned model and actress. The world loved watching your rise to fame, and even more, they loved watching the love story that bloomed between you two while filming Outer Banks. You and Drew had been soulmates. You dated for two years during the height of your careers, but life pulled you both in different directions.

You were young, jobs were demanding, and you both knew you had to focus — so, even though it broke both your hearts, you ended things. That was three years ago. Since then, you and Drew had remained good friends, but with time and the pressure of fame, even that friendship had grown distant.

Still, one thing that never changed was how close your families remained. Your mom, Hailey, and Drew’s mom, Jodi, had become almost like sisters, and today, they had organized a family dinner in Los Angeles to bring everyone together again. When you arrived at Drew’s family home, the smell of home-cooked food filled the air.

Jodi and Hailey were laughing in the kitchen, stirring pots and chopping vegetables together, while Drew’s sisters, Brooke and Mackayla, sat comfortably on the living room couch, chatting and sipping lemonade. Drew’s brother, Logan, was lounging next to them, scrolling through his phone.

You didn’t feel like sitting — instead, you were on the floor, playing with little Liliana, Mackayla’s adorable one-year-old daughter, and your own four-year-old daughter, Charlotte Elizabeth Hadid. Charlotte was your everything — sweet, bright, and full of life, with her delicate features and kind eyes that reminded everyone of you. You had her with your ex, Gabrielo Xgueevara. The two of you had broken up a while ago, and although you no longer had contact beyond co-parenting, you were raising Charlotte with all the love you had. Gabrielo had moved on with his life, but Charlotte remained your constant — your light.

Liliana giggled as she tried to crawl into your lap, while Charlotte carefully handed her a soft toy, her small fingers brushing Liliana’s as they played. You laughed, your heart softening with every little sound, every tiny clumsy step, every burst of innocent joy. Your arms gently wrapped around Charlotte as she leaned into you, her cheek resting against your collarbone.

It was then, as the evening sunlight poured into the house, that Drew walked through the door. He had been delayed by work — his eyes immediately found you — sitting cross-legged on the floor with Liliana and Charlotte in your arms, your face lit up with laughter, the same laugh he knew by heart.

For a moment, he just stood there, watching. His heart squeezed in a way he hadn’t felt in a long time. It was so natural, seeing you there, laughing with his family — like nothing had ever changed. You looked up and noticed him then, offering a soft smile, the kind that was full of memories. Drew smiled back, as if time had folded back to when everything between you two was simple. Even though so much had changed, that small look between you said it all

Some things never truly disappeared.