Once Mine

Episode3

Nicole stepped out of the building, her thoughts swirling. Talking to Ethan had stirred feelings she notion were buried. Everything within the metropolis seemed exclusive now, as if her communication with him had shifted her whole global. She wanted air. The park close by was her normal vicinity of solace—a safe haven in which the noise of the world ought to fade, although handiest for a second.

As she wandered down the tree-coated direction, Ethan's words echoed in her thoughts. He appeared true, however the past hurt too much. Could she consider him again? Was it really worth the chance of reopening wounds that had barely healed?

Sitting on a bench, Nicole watched as couples, households, and friends passed by, all living their lives with a sense of cause. She had fought so tough to carve out her own path, free from the shadows of the day past. But now, Ethan turned into back, and her cautiously built walls have been shaking. Could she risk losing the whole lot again just to allow him in?

Her telephone buzzed in her purse, pulling her from her mind. It turned into a message from Ryan.

Ryan: Just checking in. How did the meeting move?

Nicole frowned, her fingers hesitating over the screen. Ryan were her rock those past months, constant and reliable. He in no way requested too much, despite the fact that he knew about her records with Ethan. Still, she had in no way predicted what could show up if she ever had to tell him that Ethan was returned in her life.

Nicole: It become... Complicated. I’ll explain later?

Ryan: Of course. Whenever you're prepared. I'm here.

Nicole smiled at his response, feeling each thankful and responsible. Ryan were everything she wanted—kind, patient, and being concerned. And whilst she loved him in her personal way, she knew she couldn’t absolutely pass ahead until she handled the feelings Ethan had stirred up.

She tucked her phone away and stood, understanding what she had to do. She couldn’t hold walking from her past forever. If she didn’t confront Ethan now, she would possibly by no means have a real future with everybody.

---

Later that nighttime, Nicole met Ryan at their favored restaurant. It changed into comfortable, intimate—gentle lights, comfortable seating, the sort of region wherein secrets can be whispered without fear of them slipping into the open air. She had shared limitless nights with Ryan here, guffawing, speaking, enjoying his agency.

When she walked in, Ryan was already at their normal nook desk, his sandy blonde hair messed up as constantly, green eyes lights up as he noticed her. “Hey, you okay?” he asked, standing to greet her with a heat hug.

She hugged him back, feeling a pang of guilt. He didn’t deserve to be caught in her emotional turmoil. “I’m k,” she said, pulling lower back. “It’s just… a lot.”

Ryan gestured for her to take a seat. “You don’t have to talk about it in case you don’t want to.”

Nicole sighed, glancing around the restaurant. She owed him the reality. “Actually, I do. Ethan... He is going thru a tough time. His commercial enterprise is failing, and he stated he's unhappy with how things ended between us.”

Ryan leaned lower back, his expression unreadable. “And how does that make you experience?”

Nicole hesitated. “Conflicted. Part of me believes he’s changed. Maybe he’s without a doubt sorry. But the opposite part of me... I’m terrified of being hurt once more.”

Ryan reached throughout the table, taking her hand. “You don’t must determine something right now. Take your time, figure out what you want.”

His words have been comforting, but they simplest added to her guilt. She squeezed his hand. “I don’t need to hurt you, Ryan. You’ve been so suitable to me, and I’m just... Lost.”

Ryan gave her a smooth smile. “You’re now not hurting me. I care approximately you, Nicole. Whatever you decide, I’m right here. As a friend, or perhaps more. But you need to be glad, that’s all that topics to me.”

Nicole blinked lower back tears. “Thank you, Ryan. I don’t deserve you.”

His eyes sparkled with warmth. “You deserve the whole thing, Nicole. Don’t ever assume otherwise.”

---

Meanwhile, at Ethan’s office, Mark Thompson couldn’t sit nonetheless. He’d watched Nicole stroll out of the constructing earlier, wishing she would stay to speak matters thru with Ethan. But she wanted space. What surprised him greater changed into the surge of jealousy that stabbed at him whenever Nicole crossed his mind.

Mark had popular Nicole from afar, even when she changed into married to Ethan. He’d reputable their courting, never crossing the line. But now that she became divorced, his intrigue had only grown. He shouldn’t be feeling this way. Ethan was certainly one of his closest friends, and pursuing Nicole could be a betrayal. But the greater he watched Ethan warfare to win her returned, the extra he wondered if there has been a threat for him. Could he be the one to make Nicole smile again?

As Mark wrestled together with his thoughts, Ethan walked into the room, searching greater defeated than ever. He slumped into his chair, rubbing his temples. “She’s now not coming lower back, is she?” he muttered, his voice heavy with despair. “Why did I mess it all up?”

Mark leaned in opposition to the table, guilt gnawing at him. “She just desires time, Ethan. You’ve were given to present her space.”

Ethan nodded, though his face confirmed the doubt he felt. “I realize. But what if it’s too overdue? What if she’s already moved on?”

Mark’s coronary heart pounded. He shouldn’t say it. He shouldn’t even assume it. But the phrases slipped out earlier than he should prevent them. “Maybe it’s time to let her pass, Ethan. Maybe... A person else could make her satisfied.”

Ethan’s head snapped up, his eyes narrowing as he studied Mark’s face. “What are you announcing, Mark?”

Mark swallowed tough, figuring out too late that he had crossed a line. The anxiety in the room thickened, and a risky silence observed.

---

Ethan’s gaze darkened as the realization hit him. “You... You’re interested in her, aren’t you?” His voice become low, however the anger simmered beneath the surface.

Mark’s breath caught. He knew there was no turning lower back now. “Ethan, it’s no longer what you think—”

But Ethan stood, his chair scraping loudly in opposition to the floor. “You son of a—”

Before Mark ought to respond, Ethan lunged at him, fists clenched, ready to fight for the girl he had already lost as soon as.

The question now hung inside the air: could Nicole ever recognize the fact? And if she did, whose coronary heart would she destroy subsequent?