The days after Marcus left felt like a blur — a slow, aching kind of numbness that Lana hadn't experienced in a long time. She went through the motions of her life — work, errands, polite conversations — but everything felt distant, like she was moving through a fog.
At the office, her colleagues noticed the change. The spark that had slowly returned to her after the retreat was dim again, her laughter rare and her presence quieter. Even Jessica, who usually respected her space, couldn't help but worry.
"Lana," Jessica said gently one afternoon, sliding into the seat across from her in the break room. "You okay?"
Lana offered a tired smile. "I'm fine. Just… tired."
Jessica raised an eyebrow. "You've been tired for a week."
Lana sighed, her fingers tracing the rim of her coffee cup. "Marcus and I… we're taking some space."
Jessica's expression softened. "I'm sorry. Do you want to talk about it?"
Lana hesitated. She hadn't even fully processed everything herself. But the words spilled out before she could stop them.
"It's his ex," she said quietly. "Nina. She still… leans on him. And I get it — they were together for years. But it feels like there's still this part of him that's holding on to her. And I don't know if I can handle that."
Jessica nodded thoughtfully. "That's hard. But have you asked him if he's holding on… or if he's just being a good guy?"
"I want to believe it's the second one," Lana whispered. "But when I hear them together… it's like I'm back in my old relationship, always wondering if I'm enough."
Jessica reached across the table, squeezing Lana's hand. "You are enough. And if Marcus doesn't see that — or if he's not ready to prioritize you — maybe you need to take this space seriously."
Lana's throat tightened. "But what if he is ready? What if I'm just letting my fear ruin something good?"
"Then he'll show you," Jessica said simply. "The right person won't leave you guessing."
The words stayed with Lana long after their conversation ended.
That evening, Lana sat on her couch, scrolling through old photos of her and Marcus — their first dinner date, the day trip to the beach, the quiet mornings with coffee and laughter. The memories were warm, filled with moments of ease and happiness. But now, they felt distant, overshadowed by doubt and hurt.
Her phone buzzed, breaking her thoughts.
Marcus: Can we talk? Please?
Her heart fluttered, but she hesitated. She wasn't sure she was ready.
But then came the second message.
Marcus: I miss you, Lana. I don't want to lose us.
The sincerity in his words pulled at her, and after a long breath, she typed back.
Lana: Okay. Tomorrow night?
The next evening, they met at a quiet café near her apartment. The air between them was thick with unspoken words as they sat across from each other, the familiar comfort of their presence tinged with tension.
"I hate this distance," Marcus said softly, his fingers tracing the edge of his mug. "And I hate that I made you feel like you couldn't trust me."
Lana's eyes met his. "It's not just about trust, Marcus. It's about feeling like I'm a priority. Like you're not still tangled up in your past."
He nodded slowly. "I get that. And maybe… maybe I haven't been as clear with Nina as I should be. I've been trying to be a good friend, but I didn't realize how much it was hurting you."
"So what happens now?" Lana asked, her voice barely above a whisper.
"I set boundaries," Marcus said firmly. "I tell Nina that while I care about her well-being, my relationship with you comes first. Because it does, Lana. You do."
The words eased some of the weight on her chest, but the fear remained. "And what if she doesn't respect that?"
"Then that's on her," he said gently. "But I won't let it affect us. I promise you."
For the first time in days, hope flickered in Lana's heart.
The next few weeks were better. Marcus kept his promise, and though Nina still reached out occasionally, he was transparent about it. The space between them grew smaller, the warmth returning to their conversations and shared moments.
One evening, they cooked dinner together in his apartment, laughter filling the kitchen as they danced around each other, stealing kisses between chopping vegetables and stirring sauces.
"This feels good," Lana whispered later, her head resting on his shoulder as they curled up on the couch.
"It does," Marcus agreed, pressing a kiss to her forehead. "And I want to keep building this with you."
For the first time in a long time, she believed him.
But life had a way of testing promises.
A week later, Lana was working late when her phone buzzed with a call from an unknown number. She almost ignored it, but something made her pick up.
"Lana?" The voice on the other end was hesitant, familiar.
"Nina?"
"I… I know I shouldn't be calling you," Nina said quickly. "But I didn't know who else to talk to."
Lana's heart pounded. "Why are you calling me?"
"Because I think you deserve to know the truth," Nina said softly. "Marcus hasn't been as honest with you as you think."
The room tilted. "What are you talking about?"
"He's been seeing me," Nina whispered. "Not in the way you think — not like that — but… he's been there. Every time I've called. Every time I've needed him. He says you know, but… do you?"
Lana's breath caught. "He told me you were struggling. That he was helping you."
"And he has," Nina said. "But it's more than that. He's been my person. The one I turn to. And I don't think that's fair to you. Or to me."
The words shattered something inside her.
"I thought you should know," Nina said softly before the line went dead.
Lana sat in silence long after the call ended, her mind spinning. She wanted to believe Marcus — wanted to believe in the future they were building. But the doubt had returned, sharper and more painful than before.
When Marcus called later that night, she didn't answer. And when he showed up at her door, the look on her face stopped him cold.
"What happened?" he asked, his voice filled with worry.
"Nina called me," she said, her voice trembling. "She told me everything."
His face paled. "Lana —"
"Is it true?" she whispered. "Have you been lying to me?"
"I haven't lied," he said desperately. "But maybe I haven't told you everything. I didn't want to hurt you —"
"You are hurting me," she said, tears slipping down her cheeks. "Every time you choose her over me, it hurts. And I can't keep doing this, Marcus. I can't keep wondering if I'm enough."
"You are enough," he said fiercely. "It's just… complicated."
"I'm done with complicated," she whispered.
The silence stretched between them, heavy and final.
"I love you," Marcus said softly.
But this time, it wasn't enough.
"I love you too," Lana said through her tears. "But I need more than love. I need trust. And right now… I don't have that."
As she closed the door, the sound of her heart breaking filled the empty space.