Chapter 10: A Heart in Two Places
The next day, Emma arrived at their usual café, the familiar scent of freshly brewed coffee filling the air as she pushed open the door. The place was quiet, just a few patrons scattered around, lost in their own worlds. She had asked Lucas to meet her here, a neutral ground, where they could talk without the heavy weight of expectation hanging over them.
Her mind was still spinning from last night. The conversation they had was weighing on her chest, but she knew she had to face it. She couldn't keep avoiding the truth—either about Lucas or about herself. The doubts, the confusion, all of it had to be sorted, no matter how painful it might be.
When Lucas walked in, his gaze immediately found hers. There was no mistaking the quiet tension in his eyes, the same anxiety that had gripped her since their conversation the day before. His hands were shoved into the pockets of his jacket, his expression a mixture of guilt and hope.
"Hey," he said softly, his voice barely above a whisper. He walked toward her, and when he sat down, he leaned forward, his eyes focused on hers. "I'm glad you wanted to talk."
Emma gave a small nod. She hadn't yet decided what she was going to say, but she knew she had to say something. "I've been thinking a lot, Lucas… about everything."
His brow furrowed, as if waiting for her to continue. She could feel the weight of his silence pressing in on her.
"I want to understand," she said, her voice steady but low. "I need to know why… Why didn't you tell me about her earlier? About the other person?"
Lucas's eyes darkened, his hands moving restlessly across the table. "I never meant to hurt you," he began, his voice tight. "When I met you, I was already in a complicated situation. I didn't know how to explain it without ruining what we were building. I thought… I thought I could handle both things, but when I started spending more time with you, it became clear that I couldn't."
Emma's heart ached as she listened to him. She wanted to understand. She really did. But the words still stung. "But why didn't you tell me sooner? Why wait until now?"
He took a deep breath, his hands still trembling slightly. "I was afraid. Afraid that if I told you, you'd walk away, and I didn't want to lose what we were starting to build. But the truth is, I couldn't keep it from you any longer. You deserve to know, and I had to be honest with you."
The sincerity in his eyes was palpable, but Emma couldn't ignore the ache that had taken root in her chest. "I get it, Lucas. I do. But… it hurts. It hurts because I was trying to be open with you. I was trying to trust you. And now I feel like I don't know where I stand. Or if I can even trust myself."
Lucas reached out, his hand hovering over hers, but he didn't touch her. "I never wanted to hurt you. I care about you, Emma. More than I've let on. I made a mistake by not being upfront from the beginning, and I regret it. But I want you to know that what I feel for you is real. I'm not asking you to make a decision now. I just wanted you to have the truth."
For a long moment, Emma didn't say anything. She took in his words, the sincerity of his voice, the quiet desperation in his eyes. And for a moment, she thought maybe—just maybe—he was telling the truth. But then doubt crept in again, like a shadow that wouldn't leave.
"Lucas, I…" She stopped herself, unsure of how to finish the thought. What could she say? That she wanted to believe him? That she didn't want to give up on them? She did. But there was so much unknown. So much that she wasn't ready to face.
He leaned back, giving her space, the hurt in his eyes evident. "I'm sorry, Emma. I know I've put you in a terrible position. I just… I had to tell you."
Emma sighed, feeling the weight of everything pressing down on her. She wanted to be honest with him too. She didn't want to keep him in the dark about her own feelings. "I don't know what to do, Lucas. I need time. Time to think, time to process. I care about you, I do. But I'm not sure if I can just… forgive you for keeping this from me. It's not just about you. It's about me too."
Lucas nodded, his expression softening. "I understand. Take all the time you need. I'm not going anywhere. I'll wait for you, if that's what it takes. I'm not rushing you."
Her heart clenched at his words, and she couldn't stop the lump that formed in her throat. She had never been good at waiting. Never been good at uncertainty. And yet, here they were—standing on the edge of something neither of them was sure how to navigate.
"I'm sorry," Emma whispered, her voice thick with emotion. "I need to figure this out. I just don't know what the right choice is. I don't even know if there is one."
There was a long pause, and for the first time, Lucas didn't push. He simply nodded, his gaze steady, yet filled with understanding. "I'm sorry too. I'll give you the space you need. But just know this—no matter what you decide, I won't regret meeting you. I won't regret this."
Emma swallowed, her heart aching. She wasn't ready for any decisions, not yet. But for the first time since the conversation began, she felt a slight sense of peace wash over her. She didn't have to figure everything out right now. She didn't have to rush. She had time, and for once, that felt like enough.
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That night, Emma found herself staring at the city skyline from her apartment window, the soft glow of the streetlights casting a peaceful aura over the city. Her heart was still in turmoil, but at least now, she felt like she had taken the first step toward understanding.
She wasn't sure what would come next. She wasn't sure if she could move past the hurt, or if she could trust Lucas again. But what she did know was that for the first time in a long time, she was willing to try.
As she picked up her phone, she hesitated for a moment. Then, slowly, she sent a message to Lucas.
Emma: "I need some time. But thank you for being honest with me. I'll figure this out."
The response came almost immediately.
Lucas: "Take all the time you need. I'll be here."