𝐄𝐏𝐇𝐄𝐌𝐄𝐑𝐀𝐋 | g. w

58. a rude awakening

"He was right. This isn't working," Mia sighed, her voice tinged with a sense of resignation as she glanced away, her gaze focused on a distant point in the room.

Dorian listened attentively, his expression a mixture of understanding and concern. He reached out, gently placing a hand on Mia's, offering silent support. "Mia, I know it's not easy, but sometimes we have to accept that certain things are not meant to be. It's okay to want to move on and find your happiness."

Mia nodded slowly, a faint smile flickering across her lips, grateful for Dorian's understanding. "I know. I just... It's been so difficult, Dorian. I loved George, but it seems like no matter how hard we tried, it just never worked between us. There was always something in our way."

"That doesn't mean you won't find happiness, Mia," Dorian reassured her, his tone gentle and soothing. "Sometimes, we need to embrace change and allow ourselves the chance to start anew. Take all the time you need, and I'll be here to support you every step of the way."

Mia looked at Dorian, gratitude shining in her eyes. "Thank you, Dorian. You've been such a good friend through all of this. I want to take things slow, figure out what I really want, without rushing into anything new. Is that okay?"

"Of course, Mia," Dorian replied with a reassuring smile. "I'm here to support you in any way I can. You decide the pace; I'll walk alongside you."

With a weight lifted from her shoulders, Mia smiled, feeling a sense of relief at sharing her thoughts and decisions with someone so understanding. The future might still seem uncertain, but with Dorian's support, she felt a newfound strength to embark on a journey toward self-discovery and healing.

(...)

Mia clutched her book tightly as she browsed through the shelves at the quaint bookshop. The familiar scent of old paper and ink was comforting, but today, a sense of unease lingered within her. After her conversation with Dorian where she laid bare her emotions and fears about her relationship with George and the idea of starting any kind of relationship with him, she'd been in an okay state, all things considered. She had slept okay, could focus on her writing in a way that made her more productive than she had been in a long time. But of course, the fates had other things planned.

As she stood to take a small break from her writing and to get herself a cup of coffee, a voice cut through the silence. "Mia." The tone was unmistakably George's.

She turned to find him standing near the entrance, his expression a mix of concern and frustration. Mia's heart raced as she tried to ignore the pang of guilt gnawing at her. She hadn't expected George to be here, not after what happened with Dorian or their last encounter where he had hinted at wanting her back.

"What do you want, George?" Her voice trembled with a mix of anger and hurt.

"You kissed him. You actually fucking kissed him," George blurted out, his eyes flashing with hurt.

Mia's jaw tensed. "That's none of your business, George."

"It's not? Mia, no matter what's happened between us in the past I... I still care about you. That will never change." George's voice softened, but his eyes held an intensity that made Mia flinch.

"You left, George. You left me without so much as a proper goodbye. Just a cowardly little letter, that what? Was supposed to make everything okay?" Mia's voice quivered, her emotions on the edge. "You can't just show up and expect everything to be the same."

"I don't expect that, Mia. I just can't stay away. Not again. I've tried, I've really tried. Fuck, I even tried seeing other women, but nothing's worked. You're all I think about, even when I'm cutting myself open trying not to. You're always there" George admitted, his tone pleading.

Mia's frustration boiled over. "I can't do this, George. You can't keep hovering around me, expecting me to stay stuck in the past just because you can't deal with it!"

"I know I hurt you, Mia. I'm sorry," George's voice cracked with emotion. "But I still love you. I never stopped to begin with. I don't think I'm able to."

Tears welled up in Mia's eyes. "I... I need space, George. I need to figure things out without you constantly watching my every move."

Before George could respond, Mia turned and fled down an aisle, her breaths coming in quick, shallow gasps. She found solace in the farthest corner of the bookshop, her tears falling freely now.

Minutes ticked by before she felt a comforting hand on her shoulder. It was Dorian, his eyes full of concern. "Are you okay?"

Mia nodded weakly, trying to compose herself. "I just need some air."

Dorian nodded understandingly, offering a comforting smile. As Mia stepped outside into the cool breeze, she knew that the confrontation with George was just another chapter in her journey to finding herself, free from the chains of the past.