AN UNEXPECTED REUNION
389 Words
Chapter 2: An Unexpected Reunion
Three months passed after the wedding.
Emily threw herself into work, hoping that staying busy would erase the feelings she refused to acknowledge. She had convinced herself that keeping her distance from Ethan was the only way to protect both her heart and her relationship with Olivia.
One Saturday afternoon, Olivia called.
"Emily, can you do me a favor?"
"Of course. What is it?"
"I left an important folder at home, and Ethan has to leave for a meeting. Could you stop by and bring it to him?"
Emily hesitated.
She hadn't visited their house since the wedding.
"Sure," she finally replied.
When she arrived, Ethan opened the front door before she could knock a second time.
"Emily," he said with a friendly smile. "Come in."
She stepped inside, trying to ignore how nervous she felt.
"I brought Olivia's folder."
"Thank you. She told me you were coming."
As he reached for the folder, their hands brushed for a brief moment.
Emily quickly pulled hers away.
"You look tired," Ethan said, studying her face.
"I've just been working a lot."
"You should take care of yourself too."
His concern was simple and innocent, yet it made her heart beat faster.
Before she could respond, Ethan's phone rang.
He answered, his expression changing almost instantly.
"What?... Slow down. Is Olivia okay?"
Emily's heart skipped.
"What happened?" she asked as soon as he ended the call.
"There was a minor accident on her way back from work," Ethan replied, already grabbing his car keys. "She's at the hospital."
Without another word, they rushed out together.
The drive was silent except for the sound of the rain tapping against the windshield. Emily silently prayed her sister was safe.
When they reached the hospital, they found Olivia sitting on a bed with a bandaged arm. She smiled weakly.
"I'm fine," she assured them. "The doctor says it's only a sprain."
Emily wrapped her sister in a gentle hug, relief washing over her.
Ethan stood beside them, his shoulders finally relaxing.
As Emily looked at the couple, she reminded herself once again that Ethan was her sister's husband.
No matter how much her heart wanted otherwise, some feelings had to remain unspoken.
But fate had already begun pulling their lives together in ways none of them could yet see.
- Writer
