Waves of fate

Chapter 12

Chapter 12: The Space Between

A week later, Lila called Ethan.

“Hey,” she said when he answered. Her voice was steady, calm, but there was a vulnerability underneath. “Can we talk?”

“Of course,” Ethan said, his voice filled with concern. “Are you okay?”

Lila smiled softly. “I’m okay. I think I’ve figured out what I need to do.”

There was a long pause on the other end. “What do you mean?”

“I need to take some time. Time to focus on my art, time to find myself again. I can’t keep splitting myself between two places. I can’t keep running in two directions.”

Ethan was silent for a moment before he spoke. “Lila, I just want you to be happy. I just want you to be whole.”

She nodded, even though he couldn’t see it. “I know. And that’s what I’m going to do. I’m going to take some time to figure out who I am outside of both the city and Bluehaven. I’m going to find a way to make both of them part of my life, but not at the expense of myself.”

“That sounds like a good plan,” Ethan said, his voice soft with understanding. “And no matter where you go, I’ll be here for you.”

Lila felt her heart swell with gratitude. “I know. And I’ll always be here for you, too.”