Chapter 23: Difficult Decisions
The sunlight streamed through the office windows, casting long shadows across Lía's desk. She sat in her chair, staring at the papers in front of her. They were the same papers she had seen countless times before—contracts, memos, business proposals—but today, they felt heavier. The weight of the decisions she had to make, the ones she had been avoiding for too long, hung in the air like an impending storm.
Her thoughts drifted back to the night before. Diego had confessed his feelings for her, and Alejandro had come to her door, trying to bridge the distance between them. Both men had laid their hearts bare, in their own ways. And now, here she was, caught between two worlds, uncertain of which path to take.
Lía had always prided herself on being a woman who made rational decisions, who didn't let emotions cloud her judgment. But this was different. This wasn't a business deal or a professional decision. This was about her heart. And for once, she felt utterly lost.
She rubbed her temples, trying to clear her mind, but the thought of Alejandro's face, filled with regret and longing, wouldn't leave her. And then there was Diego, so open, so vulnerable, so sure of his feelings for her. They were both asking for something from her—something deep, something real—and she had no idea if she was ready to give either of them what they wanted.
Her phone buzzed, pulling her from her thoughts. It was a message from Camila: *"Can we talk? I think you need to hear what I have to say."*
Lía exhaled a breath she hadn't realized she was holding. Camila had been a constant in her life, always there to listen, to offer guidance when Lía needed it most. And right now, she needed her more than ever.
*"I'll be there in ten minutes,"* Lía replied, standing up from her desk and grabbing her bag. She needed some clarity, and she knew that Camila was the person who could give it to her.
The drive to Camila's apartment felt like an eternity. Lía's mind raced with thoughts of what to say to Diego, of what Alejandro's words meant. She had tried to push these feelings aside, to focus on her career and the progress she had made in her own life. But now, it seemed impossible to ignore them any longer.
When Lía arrived at Camila's apartment, she was greeted with a warm hug, the kind of embrace that only a true friend could offer. Camila led her into the living room, where they both sat down on the couch. Camila's expression was gentle but serious, her eyes focused on Lía with a knowing look.
"What's going on, Lía?" Camila asked softly. "I can see it in your face. You're not okay."
Lía sighed, running a hand through her hair. "I don't know what to do, Camila. Diego... he confessed his feelings for me. And then Alejandro came by, trying to make amends for everything that happened between us. I'm so confused."
Camila nodded, her gaze never wavering. "It sounds like a lot to handle. I can't imagine how difficult it must be for you. But Lía, you have to make a decision. Not based on what they want, but on what *you* want. What makes *you* happy?"
Lía stared at her hands, her fingers trembling slightly. "I don't know what I want anymore. I care about Diego. He's been there for me in ways I didn't expect, and he's always so honest, so real with me. But Alejandro... he was my everything at one point. I thought we had a future together. And now, I don't know if I can ever trust him again."
Camila took Lía's hands in her own, squeezing gently. "You don't have to figure it all out in one day, Lía. But you can't keep living in this uncertainty. You can't keep holding onto the past, especially if it's only holding you back. You deserve someone who chooses you, who makes you feel seen and valued. And you need to choose yourself first. What's best for you?"
Lía's heart ached as she listened to Camila's words. It was hard to let go of the dreams she had once held so tightly, the image of a life with Alejandro that she had built in her mind. But Camila was right. She couldn't keep clinging to the past, especially if it only caused her pain. She needed to think about what would make her happy, what would help her move forward.
"I think you're right," Lía said quietly, her voice tinged with uncertainty. "I need to make a decision. I can't keep living in this limbo."
Camila smiled, the warmth of her presence comforting. "Take your time, but don't be afraid to take the next step. You've come so far, Lía. You've grown in ways I don't think you even realize."
Lía nodded, feeling a sense of clarity begin to settle in her chest. She had spent so long worrying about everyone else's feelings, trying to fix things for them. It was time to focus on herself, to make a decision that was best for her.
As they continued talking, Lía felt the weight on her shoulders begin to lighten. Camila's presence was always grounding, always made her feel like she wasn't alone in the world. And for the first time in days, Lía felt like she could breathe again.
The next day, Lía arrived at her office early, determined to start taking control of her life in more ways than one. She had already made the decision to focus on herself, to stop letting the past and the men in her life dictate her happiness. But there was still one thing lingering, one thing she hadn't yet faced.
As she sat down at her desk, she noticed something unusual—an envelope resting on top of the stack of papers she had left there the day before. It was sealed, with no return address. Lía frowned, her heart skipping a beat as she reached for it. She had a sinking feeling she knew what it was.
She tore open the envelope, and as she unfolded the contents, her stomach dropped. The papers inside were unmistakable—divorce papers. The final step in her separation from her estranged husband. She hadn't expected them to arrive so soon, but here they were, a stark reminder of everything she had been trying to move past.
Lía stared at the documents, her mind racing. For so long, she had been living in a state of limbo, unsure of what to do about her marriage, unsure of what to do about her future. But now, with these papers in front of her, there was no denying it any longer. It was time to let go. It was time to take control of her life once and for all.
Her hands shook slightly as she set the papers back down on her desk. She had spent so much of her life catering to other people's needs, trying to fix relationships that were broken beyond repair. But now, it was her turn. It was her time to take charge, to make the decisions that were right for her.
Lía's eyes flicked to the window, where the city stretched out before her, vast and full of possibilities. She knew it wouldn't be easy, that there would be challenges ahead. But for the first time in a long time, she felt a sense of purpose. She was no longer the woman caught in the middle, uncertain of what to do. She was the one in control now.
As she picked up the phone to make a call, her gaze caught something else on her desk—a small piece of paper tucked under the divorce papers. She unfolded it and read the words, her heart stopping in her chest. The note simply said: *"I've made my choice. Have you made yours?"*