Chapter 9
393 Words
Two days later, everything cracked.
Elara closed the café late that night, exhaustion clinging to her bones. She didn’t expect to see Julian across the street, standing beside a woman she didn’t recognize.
They were close. Too close.
The woman laughed, touching his arm familiarly.
Elara’s chest tightened.
She crossed the street before she could stop herself.
“Julian?”
He turned, startled. “Elara—”
The woman glanced between them. “Oh. You didn’t tell me you were seeing someone.”
Julian’s expression faltered. “Seeing someone?”
Elara froze.
“Who is this?” she asked, her voice steadier than she felt.
Julian rubbed the back of his neck. “This is Claire. My ex.”
The word ex echoed painfully.
“We ran into each other,” Claire said lightly. “Just catching up.”
Elara forced a smile that didn’t reach her eyes. “I see.”
Julian stepped toward her. “It’s not what you think.”
“Isn’t it?” she asked.
Fear surged—sharp and familiar.
“I should go,” Elara said.
“Elara, wait.”
But she didn’t.
They didn’t speak for three days.
Three long, hollow days where Elara replayed the moment over and over, every insecurity finding a voice.
On the fourth day, Julian showed up at her door.
“I messed up,” he said the moment she opened it.
She crossed her arms. “You didn’t tell me you were still in contact with her.”
“I didn’t think it mattered,” he said. “And that was wrong.”
“Why did you leave her?” Elara asked suddenly.
Julian hesitated.
Her heart sank.
“Because when things got serious,” he admitted, “I panicked.”
The words felt like a confirmation of her worst fear.
“So what happens when we get serious?” she asked softly.
Julian stepped closer, eyes earnest. “I stay. That’s the difference.”
She wanted to believe him. God, she wanted to.
But belief, she had learned, was not enough.
“I need time,” she said.
Julian nodded, pain clear on his face. “I’ll give you all the time you need.”
As he left, Elara closed the door and slid to the floor, tears finally spilling.
Love wasn’t breaking them.
Fear was.
To be continued
- Writer
