Chapter 85

Chapter 85
The room was quiet, too quiet for Emily’s racing thoughts. She sat by the window, knees hugged to her chest, eyes fixed on the city lights blinking like stars against the night. But nothing about the view calmed her. Not tonight. Not after everything.

Alex had left just an hour ago, but it felt like a lifetime. He didn’t slam the door. He didn’t raise his voice. His silence had been worse than anything. The look in his eyes, disappointment, hurt, restraint burned deeper than rage ever could.

Emily wiped a tear from her cheek, then another. Her chest ached, like her heart was being slowly squeezed by invisible hands.

She hadn’t meant for any of it to happen. Not the kiss with Liam. Not the feelings that had started to stir again. And certainly not the argument that just tore her and Alex apart even more.

Why did everything feel like it was falling apart just when she thought she was getting her life back on track?

A soft knock pulled her from her thoughts.

She stiffened.

“Emily?” It was Liam’s voice.

She didn’t respond.

“I know you’re in there,” he said quietly. “Can I come in?”

She turned her face away from the door, unsure whether she wanted comfort or distance.

“Please,” he added. “Just five minutes.”

Reluctantly, she rose and crossed the room, opening the door slowly. Liam stood there, hands in his pockets, his expression as conflicted as her own.

He stepped in without waiting for an invitation, closing the door gently behind him. They stood in silence for a moment, the tension thick.

“I didn’t mean for any of this,” he finally said, voice low. “What happened earlier... the kiss... I shouldn’t have. You’re with Alex.”

Emily swallowed hard. “I’m not even sure what we are anymore.”

That admission made her chest tighten even more.

Liam nodded slowly. “Still... I crossed a line. I just... when I saw you crying, when you leaned into me I lost control.”

Emily looked away. “I shouldn’t have leaned in.”

“It’s not your fault,” he said, stepping closer. “You’re confused. You’ve been through hell, and Alex... he’s older, guarded, and sometimes he pushes you away without realizing it.”

“That doesn’t give me the right to betray him.”

Liam didn’t answer right away. Instead, he reached out and gently brushed her arm. “Emily, I never stopped caring about you. Even before you and Alex happened, I wanted to be there for you. You were just too broken to see it.”

“I’m still broken,” she whispered.

“No,” he said firmly. “You’re healing. Slowly. But you are. And you need someone who understands every scar and still wants to stay.”

Emily’s eyes welled again. She shook her head, backing away. “Don’t make this harder than it already is, Liam. I can’t handle more guilt.”

Liam exhaled and nodded. “I understand. I’ll give you space. Just know... I’m here. I always have been.”

He turned and walked out, leaving her alone once more.

Emily dropped to the bed, heart heavy with confusion. She loved Alex. She knew she did. But something about Liam’s comfort felt so familiar. So safe.

Yet it was Alex who had broken through her walls. It was Alex who saw the fire in her, not just the damage. He didn’t try to fix her, he challenged her to grow.

She closed her eyes and imagined his voice, deep and calm, telling her to breathe. To trust him. To let herself feel again. But all she could remember was the pain in his eyes tonight.

Would he even come back?

Her phone buzzed.

A message.

Her heart jumped as she saw his name: Alex.

“I’m giving you time. Not because I don’t care, but because I care too much. I love you, Emily. But I won’t fight for someone who isn’t sure they want to be fought for.”

She stared at the message for a long time. Her fingers hovered over the screen.

What would she say? What could she say?

A memory came back, uninvited her and Alex on the rooftop weeks ago. His arms around her, his voice in her ear. “I see you, Emily. All of you. And I’m not afraid.”

She bit her lip, tears falling freely now.

She had to make a choice. Not just between two men but between the girl she used to be and the woman she was trying to become.

The next day

Emily woke with a pounding heart. She hadn’t slept much. Her dreams were fragmented, Alex’s smile, Liam’s touch, her own voice screaming in silence.

She got up, took a long shower, and stood in front of the mirror wrapped in a towel. She studied herself. The same face. The same eyes. But something inside her was shifting.

She needed to face this head on.

She dressed quickly and called a cab. She knew where Alex would be.

Alex’s office

When his assistant saw her, she looked hesitant. “He’s in a meeting, Miss...”

“Tell him it’s Emily,” she said firmly. “And that I’m not leaving.”

A few minutes later, the door opened.

Alex stood there, tall, serious, his expression unreadable. He said nothing, just moved aside to let her in.

She stepped in slowly, her hands trembling.

He shut the door behind them.

They stood in silence.

Finally, she spoke.

“I kissed Liam.”

His jaw clenched, but he didn’t speak.

“I won’t lie to you. It happened. But it didn’t mean what it could have. It wasn’t love. It was pain. I was spiraling.”

Still, silence.

“I love you, Alex. Even when it hurts. Even when I don’t understand you. Even when I feel like I’m losing myself. I love you.”

He looked at her, eyes dark. “Then why did you run to him?”

“Because I was scared,” she admitted, voice breaking. “You make me feel things no one else ever has. You make me want to be better. And that terrifies me.”

A long beat passed.

He stepped closer. “Do you want to be with him?”

“No.”

“Do you want to be with me?”

“Yes.”

Alex looked at her for a long time, then slowly reached for her hand.

“Then stop running, Emily.”

“I’m trying,” she whispered.

He pulled her into his arms. “Try harder. With me.”

And for the first time in what felt like days, she let herself breathe.