The next few weeks flew by in a blur of excitement and hard work. Mia's new business, despite being in its infancy, was gaining momentum. She had landed her first big client, a boutique hotel looking to refresh its interior design, and she had poured all her energy into bringing the project to life. Adrian had continued his busy work schedule, but he always made time for her, encouraging her through the late nights and endless planning sessions.
But despite all the progress and success, something felt different to Mia. A nagging sense of unease had begun to creep in, lingering just beneath the surface. She pushed it away, telling herself it was just the stress of balancing work and family life. But the feeling persisted, growing stronger with each passing day.
It was one late evening, after another long day of working on her business, that Mia found herself sitting alone in their study, staring at her computer screen, when the phone rang.
"Hello?" she answered, not recognizing the number.
"Mia?"
Her heart skipped a beat at the voice on the other end of the line. It was familiar, too familiar. A voice she hadn't heard in years.
"Liam?" she whispered, her throat tightening.
There was a pause before he responded, his voice low and hesitant. "I didn't know if you'd pick up. But I had to call. I'm… I'm sorry, Mia. I should have done this a long time ago."
Mia felt the blood drain from her face. Her mind spun as memories of Liam, her ex-fiancé, rushed back. The man she had loved before Adrian, the man who had shattered her heart with his betrayal. They hadn't spoken since their ugly breakup nearly a decade ago, and she had never expected to hear from him again.
"What do you want?" Mia managed to say, her voice shaking despite her attempt to sound steady.
"I know I don't deserve to ask for anything," Liam continued, his voice filled with regret. "But I've been thinking about you for a long time. I've been trying to reach out for months. I made a lot of mistakes, Mia, and I owe you an explanation. I need you to hear me out."
Mia's hand trembled as she gripped the phone tighter. Adrian had always been supportive, always by her side, but hearing Liam's voice again brought back a flood of emotions. She had never truly forgiven him, not for what he had done to her, not for leaving her when she needed him most.
"I don't know if I can do that, Liam," she said softly, closing her eyes as the weight of the past settled around her. "You hurt me. You left me."
"I know," he whispered, his voice thick with emotion. "I regret it every day. But I can't change the past. I can only ask for a chance to explain, to show you that I've changed."
Mia felt a cold shiver run down her spine. The memories of their relationship, the promises they had made, the life they had once planned together, all of it felt like a distant dream. A dream she had long since woken from. But now, as the voice of the man who had once held her heart echoed in her ears, Mia was torn between the past and the present.
"I'm married now, Liam," Mia said, her voice firm despite the turmoil inside. "I have a family, and I'm building something for myself. You can't just waltz back into my life like nothing happened."
There was a long silence on the other end of the line before Liam finally spoke. "I know. I know it's too late. But I had to try. I can't move on without knowing if you've truly forgiven me. I can't live with myself if I don't at least know that."
Mia sat in stunned silence. She wasn't sure what she had expected from this call, but this wasn't it. It wasn't just about the past—it was about what it meant for her future. She had moved on. She had a family. She had Adrian.
But what if this wasn't just a random call? What if Liam had come back into her life for a reason? And what if, just maybe, she still wasn't as free from her past as she had thought?
Before she could say anything more, Adrian's footsteps echoed in the hallway, signaling his return home. The sound of his presence snapped Mia back to reality, and she quickly ended the call, her mind racing.
She hung up, her hands shaking, and took a deep breath. Adrian walked into the study, his eyes narrowing in concern as he saw her pale face.
"Mia?" Adrian asked softly, his voice laced with worry. "Are you okay?"
She forced a smile, masking the storm of emotions raging inside. "Yeah, I'm fine. Just a lot on my mind."
Adrian didn't look convinced, but he didn't press further. "Okay," he said, his voice warm. "Well, I'm glad to be home. You've had a busy day, haven't you?"
Mia nodded, feeling the tension between them. She couldn't tell Adrian about the call, not yet. It felt too complicated, too raw. She didn't want to hurt him, especially after everything they had been through to get to this point. But the truth was, she felt a growing distance between herself and Adrian. Something had shifted.
The next few days passed in a blur. Mia tried to focus on her work and her family, but Liam's call lingered in her mind. She felt like she was walking a tightrope between the past and the present, unsure of what was real and what was just lingering regret.
One night, as she and Adrian sat down for dinner, the weight of the secret she was carrying finally felt unbearable.
"Adrian, I need to tell you something," Mia began, her voice shaky as she met his gaze.
Adrian looked at her, his expression both curious and concerned. "What is it, Mia?"
"I got a call a few days ago," she said, her voice trembling. "It was from Liam."
Adrian's face paled, and for a moment, neither of them said anything. The silence between them felt heavy, like a storm waiting to break.
"Liam?" Adrian repeated, his voice tight. "Why is he contacting you now?"
Mia took a deep breath, her mind spinning. She had no idea how to explain the emotions swirling inside her, the uncertainty, the confusion. But she knew she couldn't keep this secret any longer.
"I don't know," she said quietly, her eyes filled with regret. "But I need to figure out what this means—for me, for us."