Born in the picturesque coastal town of Rockport, Maine, Isabelle Hartly grew up with the rhythmic crash of waves and the ever-changing skies as her backdrop. Her father, a hardworking fisherman, instilled in her the values of patience and resilience, while her mother, a talented artist, nurtured her creativity. Isabelle’s musical journey began when she discovered the piano by the age of five and, by ten, she started performing at local recitals, her talent unmistakable.

After graduating with a degree in Composition and Film Scoring, she moved to a small Brooklyn studio in New York City. Her persistence paid off as she gained recognition for scoring independent films and off-Broadway productions. Her big break came with a major Hollywood film score, Eternal Whispers, earning her critical acclaim and solidifying her reputation in the industry. Isabelle’s personal life, however, hasn't met the same success. Her relationship with Nathaniel, a fellow musician, hit a dead end, leading Isabelle to focus completely on her career and her dog, Schubert, who became her constant companion.

When Isabelle receives a terminal diagnosis in 2019, she decides to return to Rockport, but not to disclose her illness to anyone, fearing the look of pity and the stress it might cause her parents. Back in her hometown, Isabelle aimes to live each day to the fullest, spending time with her family, reconnecting with friends, and composing music. Her primary concern now is ensuring Schubert’s well-being after her passing. She buys a house in Rockport and starts searching for someone she can hire as his caretaker. However, what is supposed to be strictly professional quickly becomes personal for James, making him question his marriage and all his choices.

One day, it was there. In the heat of a moment, nothing major, but it was in that shared moment of laughter together, that I found genuine happiness. I was caught completely off guard, but it is real, and it was right there, visiting me unannounced with a smirk in the face as if it could read my surprise to find it between house chores, sharing a laughter and being silly with this man that I'm deeply in love with.

“Life isn’t gonna stop

bringing us back to each other”, he said.

I guess it’s my fault, too.

I taught you I’d always feed you with the validation you seek.

Life isn’t gonna stop bringing us back together.

It is awfully clear now, after all these years,

that you are never,

ever gonna take a leap of faith in us.

-You should call me more often

I kept looking for you in other people.

And when I couldn't find

it would break my heart.

So I’d break theirs.

Oh the many lips I’ve kissed

while longing for yours.

The many times I chose to stay in the dark

so I could tell myself

the stranger who lied next to me

wasn’t a stranger.

But when the sun rose

it would always reveal the ugly truth

breaking me inside.

One million pieces of my shattered heart.

Of course I wanted to call you.

But I didn’t. How was I supposed to know you wanted me to?

-You're the dream.

I don’t wanna live in a fantasy you visit when you’re alone.

I’m a real woman with real feelings.

Flesh and bones, tears and sweat.

When you cut me open I bleed for you.

There’s blood all over the place.

Just because you’re hurting

it doesn’t give you the right to hurt me, too.

You think because you’re bleeding

you can cut me with those shards you grew in your heart.

But I will heal - even if it takes months

for my skin to recover.

Even if, long after this moment,

I can still see the scars,

I’ll wear them with pride:

like a badge of what it took to survive loving you.