Two Lovers Entwined

14. Rosie, again.

Sophia stood outside the apartment building, her suitcase beside her, heart racing as she stared at the familiar facade. The New York skyline towered above her, a city that once felt like home now seemed foreign and cold. Her father’s words echoed in her mind: “Whatever you do, whatever happens, I will always be with you.”

She inhaled deeply, trying to steady her nerves. Her trip wasn’t just about seeing Liam again. It was about confronting Noah, the man she had once thought might be her future. A man she had left behind, but who still haunted her thoughts. With a trembling hand, she pressed the doorbell, not knowing what to expect.

The door creaked open, and Sophia’s heart sank.

Standing before her was Rosie. She hadn’t seen her since college, but there was no mistaking her. Rosie, Noah’s ex-girlfriend, stood in the doorway, looking just as put together as she had back then, her eyes widening in recognition when she saw Sophia.

"Sophia?" Rosie’s voice was filled with surprise, her tone casual, as though seeing her wasn’t the emotional blow that it was for Sophia. "Wow, it’s been ages."

Sophia’s stomach twisted, and her legs felt like they were about to give way beneath her. She forced a smile, her heart thundering in her chest. "Rosie... I didn’t expect to see you here." Her voice betrayed her shock, the hurt she desperately tried to conceal.

Praise

The mention of Noah sent a fresh wave of panic through Sophia. Her mind raced with questions. Why was Rosie here? Why was she answering Noah’s door? She had come to New York to face her fears, but this wasn’t what she expected.

Sophia’s legs wobbled, and she took a step back. The image of Noah and Rosie together filled her mind, her imagination running wild. Had he moved on? Did she mean so little to him that he could forget her so easily?

"Are you okay?" Rosie’s voice was softer now, almost concerned. She took a step closer. "I didn’t mean to startle you. I just—well, we haven’t spoken in a while. Maybe we could catch up? Grab a drink while I’m in town?"

Sophia’s head spun. The idea of sitting across from Rosie, the woman who once had Noah’s heart, was unbearable. The thought of Noah walking back into the apartment, seeing them together, was too much. She wasn’t ready. Not for this.

Before she could stop herself, Sophia shook her head, her breath shallow. "I... I have to go," she muttered, stepping back toward the stairs.

"But Noah will be back soon," Rosie called after her, confusion in her voice. "You don’t have to leave."

Sophia didn’t answer. She turned, practically stumbling down the stairs, her pulse pounding in her ears. The walls of the building seemed to close in on her, and with each step, she felt more suffocated by the weight of her emotions. She had thought she was ready for this, ready to face Noah and confront the messy emotions between them, but seeing Rosie there, in his space, shattered that illusion.

She pushed open the door to the street, the cool breeze of New York rushing against her flushed cheeks. For a moment, she stood on the sidewalk, trying to catch her breath, trying to ground herself. But all she could feel was the bitter sting of betrayal, of uncertainty.

Had he really moved on so easily?

The city bustled around her, but Sophia felt utterly alone. Her mind was a whirlwind of questions she wasn’t ready to answer. She wanted to run, to escape the painful reality that Noah might not have been waiting for her the way she had imagined.

Without a second thought, she hailed a cab, giving the driver Liam’s address. She couldn’t process what had just happened. She didn’t want to. Not yet.

As the cab sped through the crowded streets, Sophia stared out the window, her reflection merging with the blur of the city lights. She had come to New York to find closure, but all she found was chaos. And now, the only thing she could think of was getting to Liam.

She needed someone who made her feel grounded. Someone who made her feel safe.

As the cab pulled up, Sophia’s phone buzzed in her bag. She hesitated before fishing it out, her heart skipping a beat when she saw Noah’s name flashing on the screen. She let it ring a few times before she answered.

“Sophia, please don’t hang up,” Noah’s voice sounded tired, a little desperate. “I need to explain about Rosie.”

Sophia closed her eyes, leaning back in the seat. She had expected this call, but she wasn’t sure she was ready for it. Still, she stayed silent, giving him the space to speak.

“She’s just in town for a few days. Nothing more. We haven’t been together for years. I swear. She’s staying at a friend’s place, and I was just helping her out while she’s here,” he explained, his words rushed, as if he was afraid she would hang up any second. “I know it looks bad, but I didn’t want to hide it from you. That’s why I told her you’d be coming over.”

Sophia’s grip tightened on her phone, the rational part of her wanting to believe him. He sounded genuine, but something about the whole situation gnawed at her.

“Why didn’t you mention Rosie before? I mean... if she’s just an old friend, why not tell me when she first came into town?” Sophia’s voice was soft but heavy with suspicion.

Noah sighed, the weight of the situation clear in his tone. “I should have, you’re right. I didn’t think it would matter, and I didn’t want to make you worry over nothing. We’re not together, Sophia. I promise.”

Sophia closed her eyes, trying to sort through the mix of emotions. Part of her wanted to meet Noah and talk it all out, to clear the air and maybe even salvage what they had. But a tiny voice in the back of her mind whispered doubts.

“Let’s meet,” she finally said, her voice resigned. “We need to talk.”