Chapter 1

Maya was 25 years old, a driven and ambitious woman who had always been accustomed to life's challenges. Working for one of Chicago's most prestigious news outlets, she had learned to navigate the world of high-pressure deadlines, relentless stories, and a constant battle for recognition. But despite her professional success, her personal life had never been easy. She had fought through hardships, from family struggles to personal setbacks, each one shaping her into the resilient woman she was today.

One cold February afternoon, Maya was having coffee with her best friend Alice at a small café, the kind that felt like a secret escape from the bustle of city life. Alice, always the hopeful romantic, had been pushing Maya for weeks to consider dating again. Maya, however, wasn't interested. The idea of putting herself out there, opening her heart to someone new, just seemed like another complication in her already complicated life.

Alice, though, wasn't one to back down easily. She had taken matters into her own hands and secretly set Maya up on a blind date with a man she thought would be perfect for her. The man was charming, successful, and seemed like a good match on paper. But when Maya found out, she was livid. The thought of someone else dictating her love life, especially without her consent, made her feel as though her autonomy was being stripped away. So, she did what Maya did best-she rejected the set-up outright.