The tension between Aiden and Emilia had been growing ever since their confrontation outside her apartment. Every time they crossed paths at work or in the halls of the university, there was a lingering charge in the air—an unspoken recognition of everything that had been left unresolved. Aiden was determined, though Emilia wasn't sure if it was out of regret or possessiveness. Regardless, his presence felt like a storm cloud on the horizon, always threatening to break.
Emilia had tried to put it out of her mind. She threw herself into her lectures, her research, and, perhaps most of all, her conversations with Mark. As much as she hated to admit it, she was finding solace in their growing friendship. Mark was becoming someone she could rely on—a steady presence who didn't ask for more than she was willing to give. His support was both comforting and painful, because no matter how much she enjoyed their time together, it was impossible to ignore that it wasn't him—it wasn't the love she had hoped for when she had once dared to dream about her future.
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The Morning After
It was a quiet morning in the faculty lounge when Mark found her again. Emilia had arrived early, as usual, to prepare for her lecture, hoping for a few moments of solitude before the madness of the day began. The world outside the windows was still, the calm before the storm of campus life. Yet inside, there was a simmering anxiety in Emilia's chest, a quiet but constant reminder that she hadn't yet found peace.
"Morning," Mark greeted, entering with a coffee in one hand and a folder in the other.
"Hey," Emilia said, managing a smile, though it didn't reach her eyes. She glanced down at her papers, not trusting herself to meet his gaze for too long.
Mark took the seat across from her, his expression soft and understanding. He didn't push, allowing her the space she needed. But Emilia could sense his curiosity, the questions that hung between them—the unspoken acknowledgment that something was bothering her.
"You've been quiet lately," Mark remarked after a pause, breaking the silence between them.
Emilia glanced up at him, her heart tightening. She hadn't realized how much she had been retreating into herself until he pointed it out. "I'm just... trying to figure things out," she replied carefully.
Mark studied her for a moment, then nodded. "I get that. You know, if you ever need to talk, I'm here."
Emilia forced another smile, appreciating his concern but unsure of how to answer. The truth was, she wasn't sure what she needed anymore. Aiden's ghost still loomed over everything she did, and Mark's kindness, though comforting, only seemed to highlight how much she was still holding back. She wanted to be open with him, to allow herself to enjoy the simple connection they had, but she couldn't shake the feeling that her heart was still tethered to the past.
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Aiden's Shadow
The days that followed were filled with tension. Emilia felt like she was walking a tightrope—balancing the past and the present, trying to hold on to the things that mattered without losing herself in the process. Mark was always there, quietly supportive, never pushing her for more than she was willing to give. Yet, every time she felt herself starting to feel something more for him, the thought of Aiden would creep in, like a shadow in the corner of her mind.
Aiden had started to show up at the university more frequently. Whether it was for faculty meetings or random encounters in the hallway, it felt like he was always nearby, always watching. Every time he looked at her, there was a hint of something in his eyes—regret, longing, or perhaps a touch of possessiveness. Whatever it was, it was enough to unsettle her.
One afternoon, as Emilia made her way to the staff room, she ran into Aiden. He was standing by the door, his usual confident demeanor in place, though his eyes flickered when he saw her.
"Emilia," he said, his voice calm but there was an edge to it. "Can we talk?"
She hesitated, the memory of their last conversation still fresh in her mind. "I don't think there's anything left to say, Aiden."
But Aiden was persistent. "I just want a chance to explain. I never wanted to hurt you."
Emilia's chest tightened, and for a moment, she almost gave in. But she couldn't. Not again. Not after everything that had happened.
"You should've thought about that before you left," she said, her voice firm despite the turmoil inside her. "You can't just come back and expect everything to be fine."
Aiden's jaw clenched, his frustration evident. "I never thought it would be easy," he muttered, stepping closer. "But I didn't expect you to just move on like this. You and Mark—what is that?"
Her heart pounded, but she refused to let him get to her. "There's nothing between Mark and me. We're friends."
Aiden's eyes narrowed, his jealousy unmistakable. "Are you sure about that?"
Emilia took a step back, the space between them growing. "I'm sure. And even if there was, it's none of your business."
For a moment, the silence between them was thick with unspoken words, the weight of their past hanging heavy. Aiden opened his mouth, but Emilia didn't give him the chance to say more. She turned and walked away, her steps purposeful, though her heart was anything but steady.
---
A Moment of Clarity
That evening, after her last class, Emilia found herself sitting alone in her apartment. The quietness of the space mirrored the quietness inside her—she was exhausted, emotionally drained, and yet still unsure of what to do next.
Her phone buzzed, snapping her from her thoughts. It was a message from Mark.
"Hey, I was thinking about grabbing dinner later. No pressure, but if you're free, I'd love to catch up."
Emilia stared at the message for a moment, her fingers hovering over the screen. It was tempting—so tempting—to accept his offer and distract herself from everything else. Mark was easy to be with. He didn't make her question herself, didn't make her confront feelings she wasn't ready to face. But that was the problem. He wasn't Aiden.
Aiden had once been everything to her. And now, even though she tried her best to move on, a part of her still longed for something that seemed impossible—a love that could never be.
She typed a quick response to Mark.
"I'd like that. Let's meet at seven."
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