NO LONGER HIS PLAYTHING：I'm the Heroine of My Own Story novel Chapter 22

Stanford University offered Phoebe a fresh start. Away from her hometown and painful memories, she immersed herself in academic pursuits, leaving behind the girl who had been obsessed with Zephyr.

It was during her sophomore year that Sid Loxley introduced her to someone who would change the course of her life again.

"Phoebe, I'd like you to meet Leo Reed. He's a guest lecturer for our Sports Management seminar," Sid said with enthusiasm. "And he's also a former hockey star—pretty much a legend."

Unlike Zephyr's brash charisma, Leo carried himself with the assurance of someone who had nothing to prove.

"It's nice to meet you, Phoebe. Sid tells me you're the academic star of your year," Leo said, extending his hand with a warm smile.

Their first conversation lasted nearly two hours. They discussed everything from sports economics to business ethics, with Phoebe surprising herself at how easily she could share her thoughts with him.

Over the next two years, Leo became a mentor of sorts. He'd return to Stanford for guest lectures, and they'd meet for coffee to discuss her career aspirations. When graduation approached, it seemed natural when Leo offered her a position.

"I need someone smart, detail-oriented, and unafraid to speak up. You'd be perfect as my executive assistant," Leo had said. "The job's yours if you want it."

With Sid accepting a position at a prestigious firm across the country, Phoebe took Leo's offer. It was the practical choice—a chance to learn the business world from someone she admired professionally.

"We'll make it work," Sid had promised, his fingers intertwined with hers. "Long distance isn't ideal, but we've got something special, Phoebe. I'm not letting you go."

For the first six months, they managed. Weekend visits, daily video calls, and carefully planned vacation time kept their relationship alive, if somewhat strained. Phoebe threw herself into her work, quickly becoming indispensable to Leo and earning respect throughout the company.

But as months passed, the distance began to take its toll. Their calls grew shorter, less frequent. Weekend visits became monthly at best, often canceled due to work commitments on both sides. The vibrant connection they once shared slowly faded into obligation.

"I think we need to talk," Sid finally said one evening.

Phoebe knew what was coming. She'd felt it too—the growing silence between them, the strain of maintaining a relationship across time zones and busy schedules.

"This isn't working, is it?" she said quietly.

Sid's eyes reflected the same sadness she felt. "I love you, Phoebe. I always will. But I don't think either of us is happy like this."

The conversation was gentle and heartbreaking. No betrayal, no dramatic fallout—just the slow, inevitable erosion of a relationship that couldn't withstand the distance. They agreed to end things as friends, with genuine wishes for each other's happiness.

But that didn't make it hurt any less.

That night, Phoebe found herself at a downtown bar, seeking some temporary relief from the hollow ache in her chest. One drink turned into three, and as she contemplated ordering a fourth, a familiar voice broke through her thoughts.

"Mind if I join you?"

Phoebe looked up to see Leo standing there, concern etched on his face.

"What are you doing here?" she asked, her voice rough with emotion.

In his office, with the door closed, she forced the words out.

"I'm pregnant."

Leo sat motionless, his expression unreadable for several long moments. Then, to her surprise, he stood and walked around the desk, taking her hands in his.

"Have you thought about what you want to do?" he asked, his voice gentle and free of judgment.

She nodded slowly. "I want to keep it. I know it's complicated, but I do."

What followed was a series of practical discussions—healthcare, living arrangements, work adjustments. Leo approached each with the same methodical attention he gave to business problems. Then, a week later, he invited her to dinner.

"I've been thinking," he said, after they had ordered. "We get along well. We respect each other. We're about to have a child together. Maybe we should consider getting married."

Phoebe nearly choked on her water. "Married? Leo, you don't have to do that."

"I know I don't have to. But it would simplify things legally, provide stability for the child, and honestly..." he paused, "This might not be how either of us imagined starting a family, but now that it's happening, I want to do it right."

It wasn't a declaration of passionate love. It was practical, honest, and considerate—just like Leo himself. And after the heartbreak of Zephyr's manipulation and her failed relationship with Sid, perhaps that was exactly what she needed.