Waves of fate

Chapter 18

Chapter 18: Torn Between Hearts

The gallery had become a battleground for Lila’s emotions. It was where she had spent countless hours with Ethan, pouring their hearts into the space they had created together. But now, every time she walked through the gallery, it felt like a reminder of the life she had built with him—a life she wasn’t sure she could continue.

Lucas, ever persistent, had begun to show up more frequently, even offering to help with the gallery’s exhibitions and events. He wanted to be involved, to prove to her that they could build something together. His presence was both thrilling and suffocating, like a fire that kept burning brighter the more she tried to walk away.

One evening, after another long day at the gallery, Lila found herself sitting on the old wooden bench by the cliffs, staring out at the horizon. The colors of the sunset were breathtaking, but all she could focus on was the storm brewing inside her.

The sound of footsteps interrupted her thoughts, and when she looked up, it was Lucas. He sat down beside her, his usual easy smile replaced by an expression of quiet determination.

“I know you’re struggling, Lila,” he said gently, his voice low, as if afraid his words might break something fragile between them. “But I’m not going anywhere. I care about you. I’ve never met anyone like you.”

Lila’s chest tightened. “Lucas, I don’t know what to do. I can’t pretend that nothing’s changed, but I also can’t just walk away from everything I’ve built with Ethan.”

“I understand that,” he said, reaching out to gently touch her hand. “But you deserve to be happy, Lila. And you deserve to feel more than this… quiet, settled life with him. You deserve to feel alive. You deserve to follow your passions, to have someone who sees you for all that you are.”

Lila looked away, her mind racing. She had always known that Lucas represented a different kind of life—a life of excitement, of raw emotion. But the truth was, she didn’t just want excitement. She wanted stability, the kind that came from the deep connection she had with Ethan. The thought of losing him felt like losing a part of herself.

“You don’t understand,” Lila said, her voice trembling. “Ethan is my home. He’s been with me through everything—through the quiet moments, the hard times. He’s the one who knows me the best. I can’t just throw that away.”

Lucas’ face darkened, and for a moment, his usual charm slipped away, revealing a more vulnerable side of him. “And what about you, Lila?” he asked, his voice edged with frustration. “What about what you want? What about your needs? Can’t you see that you’re suffocating in that life? You’ve created this perfect little world, but is it really the life you want? Or is it just the life you think you should want?”

Lila’s heart pounded in her chest as his words hit harder than she expected. She had never questioned her life with Ethan until now, but Lucas’s words echoed in her mind, making her question everything she had believed was true. Was she truly happy with Ethan? Or had she built her life around the comfort of the familiar?

Before she could respond, a voice called out from the distance. It was Ethan.

“Lila?” he called, his tone strained.

Lila stood quickly, her pulse racing. She hadn’t expected Ethan to show up here, at the cliffs. This was her space. Her place of reflection.

Lucas gave her a sad smile, standing up as well. “I’ll leave you two alone. But think about what I said,” he said softly, before turning and walking away.

Ethan approached, his expression unreadable. His eyes were scanning her face, as if searching for the answers to questions he hadn’t yet asked.

“Are you okay?” Ethan asked, his voice quiet but filled with concern.

Lila struggled to meet his gaze, feeling a pang of guilt tighten in her chest. “I don’t know, Ethan. I’m… lost. I don’t know where I belong anymore.”

Ethan’s brow furrowed, and he stepped closer, taking her hands in his. “You belong with me, Lila. You’ve always belonged with me. But if something’s changed, if you’re not sure about us anymore… you need to tell me.”

The raw honesty in his voice broke her heart, and she fought to keep her composure. How could she tell him that she wasn’t sure anymore? That her heart was being pulled in two different directions?

“I don’t know what I want, Ethan,” she whispered, her voice barely above a breath. “I don’t know if I can keep doing this. I love you, but there’s a part of me that feels like something is missing. Something that Lucas—” She stopped, cutting herself off, feeling the weight of her words.

Ethan’s face fell, the hurt evident in his eyes. “Is it him, Lila? Is it Lucas? You’ve been distant with me for weeks, and I can see it in your eyes. I know something’s changed.”

Lila felt a knot tighten in her throat. “I don’t want to hurt you, Ethan. I just—” She swallowed hard, trying to find the words. “I don’t know if I’m being fair to you. To us. I can’t keep pretending that everything is okay when I don’t even know where my heart is anymore.”

Ethan let go of her hands, stepping back as if the air between them had suddenly grown thick with tension. “So, what now?” he asked, his voice raw.

“I need time,” Lila said softly, her voice trembling. “I need to figure out what I want. I can’t keep going back and forth like this, Ethan. It’s not fair to either of you.”

Ethan’s eyes searched her face, and for a long moment, neither of them spoke. Finally, he nodded, his voice tight. “I’ll give you time, Lila. But don’t take too long. I can’t wait forever.”

As he turned and walked away, Lila felt the weight of his words settle in her chest. She watched him go, her heart breaking in two.