Chapter Eleven:The choice wrapped in guilt
849 Words
Maya couldn’t sleep.
Every time she closed her eyes, she saw Dante’s face — the way he looked at her when he thought she wasn’t watching, the quiet intensity that lingered between them after every conversation.
She hated herself for it.
Liam had been nothing but kind — patient, attentive, loving in a way that made her feel safe. He deserved her honesty, her devotion… yet her mind kept betraying her.
Every time she tried to bury the memory of Dante’s voice, it found a way back to her.
Every time she told herself she was over it, a part of her whispered otherwise.
She shook her head, almost angry at her own weakness.
“This is wrong,” she muttered to herself. “You’re happy. You’re safe.”
But safety didn’t stop the ache.
The next morning, she made up her mind.
She texted Dante before she could talk herself out of it.
Let’s keep things professional from now on. Please.
A few seconds later, the typing bubble appeared. Then disappeared. Then appeared again.
Finally, his reply came through:
If that’s what you want, Maya.
She stared at the message for a long time. It wasn’t angry. It wasn’t pleading.
It was calm — too calm.
And somehow, that made her heart race even more.
When she met Liam that evening, she smiled wider than she had in weeks.
“I’ve missed you,” she said, reaching for his hand.
He looked at her carefully. “You sure?”
She nodded, squeezing his fingers. “I promise, Liam. It’s just been… work. And Dante’s been a little too involved. But it’s over. I’m done with all of that.”
He smiled — small, cautious, hopeful. “Good. Because I’m not losing you without a fight.”
Her chest tightened. She didn’t know whether to feel touched or terrified.
The night of the work party arrived two days later. The air was warm, music playing softly in the background, laughter spilling from the open terrace.
Maya wore a simple black dress — elegant but modest. She told herself this was just another company event, another night to pretend everything was fine.
And then she saw Dante.
He looked effortless — sharp suit, relaxed posture, eyes that found hers instantly in the crowd. Her heart skipped, traitorous and uninvited.
“Don’t,” she whispered under her breath. “Don’t look at him.”
But it was too late.
He was already walking toward her.
Liam joined the party a few minutes later, bouquet in hand, his smile pure warmth.
He spotted her instantly — and then saw Dante standing beside her.
Something shifted in the air.
Maya turned, her face pale. “Liam…”
He smiled tightly. “So this is Dante.”
Dante extended a hand, his tone calm. “You must be Liam.”
Their handshake lingered longer than necessary — firm, deliberate, filled with unspoken challenge.
“I’ve heard a lot about you,” Liam said.
“I’m sure you have,” Dante replied with a faint smirk.
Maya stood between them, the tension so thick it felt like the room itself had stopped breathing.
Later that night, when most guests had left, the two men ended up outside — alone on the balcony, the city stretching endlessly below them.
It was Dante who broke the silence.
“She loves me, you know. Even if she doesn’t admit it yet.”
Liam clenched his jaw. “She loves who she thinks you are. That’ll change.”
Dante’s gaze flicked toward him — cool, confident. “You really think safety beats passion?”
“I think safety lasts,” Liam said quietly. “And passion burns out.”
For a moment, neither spoke. The truth hung there between them — sharp, undeniable.
When Maya stepped outside a few minutes later, both men turned to look at her.
Liam’s eyes were soft, pleading.
Dante’s were dark, certain.
Her heart stuttered. She wanted to run.
But she knew she couldn’t.
“Maya,” Liam said, his voice breaking just slightly. “You don’t have to say anything. Just… choose.”
She looked from one man to the other — her heart screaming one name, her mind another.
Dante took a step forward, his voice low. “You already know what you want.”
And she did. God, she did.
But knowing and choosing weren’t the same thing.
She swallowed hard, turned to Liam, and said softly —
“I choose you.”
For a moment, everything was still.
Liam closed his eyes, relief and disbelief flooding his face. He pulled her into his arms, holding her like she might disappear.
Over his shoulder, Dante watched — expression unreadable. Then he smiled faintly, a quiet, dangerous curve of his lips.
“Enjoy your safety,” he murmured, before walking away.
And as Maya clung to Liam’s chest, her heart ached with a truth she could no longer deny.
She had chosen the man who loved her gently —
but her soul still longed for the one who set her on fire.
- Writer
