Bethany and Alex strolled quietly through the park, the late afternoon sun casting long shadows across the path.
After a moment, Bethany broke the silence.
"So.... What do you intend to do?" She asked gently. "If you really want to stay away from Ethan, you'll have to start by leaving his company. Can you afford to do that? To not see him at all?"
Alex fell silent.
The breeze rustled the trees around them, but he didn’t speak.
Then, finally, he said. ''No. I can’t. No matter how hard I try… I want to be near him, Beth. Always.''
Bethany smiled softly. ''You must really love him.''
Alex didn’t reply.
She stopped walking, and Alex halted beside her.
Bethany turned to face him, her expression serious.
''I won’t judge you for loving him.'' She said. ''I won’t judge you if you end up
