Mrs. Gilder and Jasmine were sitting off to the side, chatting and watching the couple next to them enjoy the evening's festivities, unable to suppress their smiles.
Sophia's phone was lighting up non-stop with New Year's greetings and even a few messages from Robin, but this time, she couldn't even muster the interest to glance at them.
Suddenly, her ringtone cut through the noise, and Sophia excused herself to answer the call outside.
It was from a close friend studying abroad. As soon as the call connected, her friend's cheerful voice rang out, "Babe, Happy New Year's Eve."
Sophia chuckled, "Did you make it back home?"
"Nope, got tied up with a project. I'll head back after the New Year!" Crystal laughed. "So, you and Robin celebrating the New Year together? Is the wedding soon? Can I make it back in time?"
A shadow crossed Sophia's face, and she looked down. "We broke up."
"What?" Her friend’s voice was incredulous. "You two split up?"
Crystal knew about the years Sophia had spent chasing after Robin.
She had thought that after all the ups and downs, their relationship would be rock solid. It was hard to believe that after so many years of unrequited love, things had ended in less than a year.
"It's true," Sophia sighed deeply.
"What happened?" Crystal pressed.
"It's nothing, just... we realized we weren't compatible," Sophia said softly.
She didn't want to disclose what Robin had done. After all, she had spent her entire youth pining for him and didn't want to tarnish his image in others' eyes.
"Well, as long as you're moving on," Crystal said cheerfully. "Honestly, I always thought you and Mr. Gilder would make a great pair. He's always been so nice to you, and not to mention, quite the looker. If it were me, I'd have made my move a long time ago!"
Yet, often, couples who overcome countless obstacles to be together find themselves parting ways in no time.
Everything is interconnected. Her relationship with Robin was like a firework. The years spent chasing him were like the climb before the burst, and the moment they got together was the explosion—beautiful but fleeting.
She fell for Robin over an idea, a shadow crafted in her own mind, more than the person himself.
The real him, from the start, had been a series of disappointments. She had tried to be understanding, knowing no one is perfect.
But today's revelations had hit her hard, snapping her out of her reverie.
Jason came over, draping a cozy sweater over her shoulders, and asked, "Who was on the phone?"
Sophia turned with a smile, "Don't worry, I've already blocked Robin's number. It was a friend from abroad."

Comments
The readers' comments on the novel: Find me in your labyrinth (Stella and Jonathan)
May we please have more updates. Thank you...
May we have more updates please....
Thank you so much for the updates today. Now that Yvonne knows that Gonzalez has established who's really in charge of the Hansen house hold she and her mother are treading carefully. It will be interesting to see how Jenny will get the information to see if Adrian is paying for Norah....
With Adrian last comment, he's gonna get whipped and wonder what happened. Thank you so so much for the updates....
May we please have more updates. Thank you....
I would like for Norah to secretly have her memory restored and not tell anyone just to observe how everyone is trying to keep mess going....
Janice and Adrian don't want Norah to be with Xavier....
Thank you for the updates. You do keep us in suspense....
Curious as to how, what, when and where Norah will get her memory back of Xavier....
I'm so glad that Gonzalez was able to get Luke, Oliver and all others who wanted to challenge himas the CEO straight. Interesting how Xavier made reference to a girlfriend concerning his gift to Norah, but never did this before her accident. I'm grateful for the updates. Thank you...