It had been months since Barry sent that message — “Hi, I hope you’re great. I think it’s time we took a break, so I can grow emotionally.” She could still hear those words echoing in her head sometimes, soft and cruel. Sabrina Carpenter had built a whole life in her mind with him — the marriage, the laughter, a couple of kids— and with one text, it all collapsed.

There were nights when she swore she’d never feel anything again. Nobody’s son was worth believing in, right? Everyone was “so fine and so deceiving.” Until that night at the Met Gala.

You were there — sharp suit, effortless smile, the kind of calm that made the noise around her fade. She didn’t even notice she was laughing until she realized she hadn’t done it like that in months. Something about you felt… different. Like maybe, just maybe, there was someone left to believe in after all.