Sofia stood by her window that evening, the pale glow of the streetlights casting long, lonely shadows across her apartment. The memory of Lucas's hug lingered, his warmth still wrapped around her like a phantom embrace. Her mind churned with contradictions: the undeniable comfort she felt in his arms and the terror that it might be fleeting, another illusion waiting to shatter.
Her fingers brushed the windowpane, tracing invisible patterns on the cold glass. Outside, the city seemed alive, bustling with people who didn't carry her scars. She wondered how many of them were running from something, just like she was.
Her phone buzzed, the sound startling her in the stillness. She hesitated before picking it up. It was Lucas.
Lucas: I hope you got home safely. Let me know if you need anything, okay?
Her lips curled into a small smile despite herself. He always asked, always checked in. It wasn't intrusive—it was thoughtful, steady, like he understood she needed space but didn't want her to feel alone.
For a moment, she debated replying. What could she say? That she was unraveling under the weight of emotions she hadn't felt in years? That her heart was teetering on the edge of trusting him, but fear still whispered cruel reminders of her past?
She sighed and typed back.
Sofia: I'm home. Thank you. I'll be fine, don't worry.
She hit send and immediately regretted the last part. Of course he'd worry. Lucas had a way of caring that felt genuine, unselfish. It was the kind of care she hadn't experienced in a long time, and it scared her how easily she was beginning to crave it.
The next morning, Sofia woke to the sound of rain tapping against her window. The gray sky mirrored her mood, heavy and uncertain. She tried to shake off the thoughts clinging to her, but they followed her like shadows as she went about her routine.
At work, her focus was nonexistent. She stared at her computer screen, the words blurring together as her mind drifted back to the night before. Her coworkers moved around her, their voices a dull hum in the background.
"Sofia?"
She blinked, realizing her manager was standing by her desk. "Sorry, what?"
Her manager raised an eyebrow. "You've been staring at that screen for ten minutes. Everything okay?"
"Yes," Sofia lied, forcing a smile. "Just a little distracted."
The manager nodded but didn't press further. As soon as they walked away, Sofia let out a breath she hadn't realized she was holding. She needed to get a grip.
When her lunch break came, Sofia found herself scrolling through her phone without thinking. Her thumb hovered over Lucas's name in her contacts. She shouldn't bother him. He probably had better things to do. But before she could stop herself, she clicked his name.
"Hello?" His voice was warm, like a blanket on a cold day.
"Hi," Sofia said, her voice softer than she intended. "I hope I'm not interrupting anything."
"Not at all," Lucas replied. "I'm glad you called. What's up?"
She hesitated, unsure of what to say. "I just... I wanted to thank you. For yesterday. For being there."
"You don't have to thank me," he said gently. "I'm here because I want to be, Sofia. You don't have to face everything alone."
His words hit her like a wave, breaking down a little more of the wall she'd built around herself. "I don't know how to let people in anymore," she admitted, her voice barely above a whisper.
"That's okay," Lucas said. "It doesn't have to happen all at once. Just take your time."
Later that evening, Sofia decided to clear out some old boxes she had been avoiding for years. They were tucked away in the corner of her closet, collecting dust and memories she wasn't sure she wanted to revisit.
She pulled the first box out and opened it. Inside were photographs, letters, and trinkets from her life with Carlos. Her breath hitched as she picked up a framed photo of them on their wedding day. She looked so happy, so full of hope.
Tears pricked her eyes, but she didn't let them fall. Instead, she set the photo aside and dug deeper into the box. Each item she pulled out was a reminder of the life she had lost, but it was also a reminder of why she had built her walls so high.
As she sorted through the box, something caught her eye—a small, folded piece of paper tucked inside an old book. She opened it and recognized Carlos's handwriting immediately.
Sofia,
If you're reading this, it means I wasn't brave enough to tell you in person. I know I've hurt you in ways I can't take back. You deserved better, and I failed you. I hope one day you can find someone who loves you the way you deserve to be loved. Please don't let my mistakes keep you from finding happiness. You're stronger than you think.
Her hands trembled as she read the words. She hadn't known this note existed, hadn't known that Carlos had carried guilt for what he'd done.
The tears she had been holding back finally fell, and for the first time in years, she let herself cry—not out of anger or despair, but out of release.
The next day, Sofia met Lucas at the park. She hadn't planned on telling him about the note, but the words were still weighing on her heart.
As they walked along the path, she found herself opening up in ways she hadn't before. "I found a letter from Carlos last night," she said quietly.
Lucas looked at her, his expression calm and patient. "What did it say?"
"He... he apologized," Sofia said, her voice shaking. "For everything. He told me not to let his mistakes keep me from finding happiness."
Lucas stopped walking and turned to face her. "How do you feel about that?"
"I don't know," Sofia admitted. "Part of me feels relieved, like I finally have some closure. But another part of me is scared. If I let go of the past, what's left?"
Lucas reached out and gently took her hand. "What's left is whatever you choose to build. The past doesn't define you, Sofia. You do."
His words settled over her like a balm, soothing the wounds she had carried for so long. For the first time, she felt a glimmer of hope—a real, tangible hope—that maybe she could move forward.
As they continued walking, Sofia realized something. She wasn't alone anymore. Lucas had become a part of her life, and while the future still felt uncertain, she was starting to believe it might be worth facing.
And for the first time, she allowed herself to imagine a future where she wasn't defined by her pain but by her strength.