The lights from Gatsby’s mansion shined brightly across West Egg, but the house felt unusually quiet. Music no longer echoed through the halls, and the last of the servants had gone to sleep. Outside near the water, Gatsby stood alone in a white suit, staring across the bay at the small green light glowing in the distance.

Tomorrow was the day he had waited for during the past five years.

Tomorrow, he would finally see Daisy again.

Gatsby placed his hands in his pockets and tried to calm himself, but his mind raced with nervous thoughts. He had spent years building his fortune, buying the

mansion, and creating a new identity for himself. Every decision he made had one purpose: Daisy Buchanan.

Behind him, footsteps moved softly across the grass.

Nick Carraway walked toward Gatsby and noticed the tense expression on his face.

“You’re still awake?” Nick asked.

Gatsby quickly smiled. “Couldn’t sleep.”

Nick stood beside him and looked out at the dark water.

“You really think tomorrow will change everything?”

Gatsby answered immediately. “Of course it will.”

For a moment, neither of them spoke. The wind blew gently through the trees, and Gatsby continued staring at the green light.

Finally, Nick broke the silence.

“Does Daisy know everything about you?”

Gatsby’s smile slowly faded.

“What do you mean?”

“I mean your real past,” Nick replied carefully. “Where you came from. How you made your money.”

Gatsby looked down at the ground.

“I’ve told her enough.”

Nick could tell Gatsby was avoiding the question. During the short time they had known each other, Nick had already realized that Gatsby carefully controlled the way people saw him. The expensive clothes, giant parties, and polished stories were all part of the image Gatsby

wanted the world to believe.

But underneath all of it was James Gatz, a poor boy from North Dakota who dreamed of becoming someone important.

“Maybe she deserves the truth,” Nick said quietly.

Gatsby turned sharply.

“The truth?” he repeated. “The truth is that I loved Daisy before I had money, and I lost her because I was poor. Money changes everything, Nick. People respect you when you have it.”

Nick stayed silent.

Gatsby continued speaking, almost as if he had waited years for someone to listen.

“When Daisy and I first met, I promised myself I’d

become worthy of her. I knew I could build a better life. Everything I’ve done has been for Daisy.”

Nick understood Gatsby’s feelings, but he also saw the danger in them.

“What if the past can’t really come back?” Nick asked.

Gatsby stared at him in disbelief.

“Can’t repeat the past?” Gatsby said. “Why of course you can.”