I knew it, I know you

We need to talk

Albert POV

The night had been nothing short of a blur. Winning the award should have been a moment of triumph, but it felt hollow, like an empty victory with no one to share it with. As I stood on stage, accepting the applause, all I could think about was the gaping absence of Gracie by my side. I knew Sophie was watching me closely, her eyes analyzing every twitch of my expression. But I couldn't shake the thought that none of this mattered without Gracie.

The car ride back to my apartment was painfully silent. Sophie sat beside me, her hands folded in her lap, her gaze fixed on the passing city lights. I could feel the tension radiating off her, thickening the air between us. I knew this was coming. Sophie had been waiting for the right moment to say what was on her mind, and it seemed tonight was the night.

As soon as we stepped into my apartment, Sophie closed the door with a firm, deliberate motion. She turned to face me, her eyes hard and determined. It was the look of someone who had been holding back for far too long.

Albert, we need to talk, - she said, her voice steady, but with an edge that made my chest tighten.

I took a deep breath, knowing there was no avoiding this conversation. 

-About what, Sophie?

-About Gracie, - she said, and just hearing her name hit me like a punch to the gut. My entire body tensed up.  -You've been distant, even when we're together. Tonight, that speech—don't think I didn't notice who you were really thinking.

I clenched my jaw, trying to keep my emotions in check. 

-What are you trying to say?

She took a step closer, her eyes narrowing as she searched my face for some sign of denial, some reassurance. 

-You're still in love with her, aren't you? Even after everything she's done, after she left you and hurt you, you still can't let her go.

Her words hung in the air between us, heavy and undeniable. I wanted to deny it, to say something that would make this easier, but the truth was lodged in my throat like a stone. I could see the pain in Sophie's eyes, but I didn't know how to fix it. How could I, when I was the one causing it?

Sophie's voice wavered, but she pressed on. 

-I'm here, Albert. I've always been here, supporting you, caring for you. But no matter what I do, it's never enough, is it? Because you're still hung up on Gracie.

The guilt twisted inside me like a knife. Sophie had been nothing but good to me, always there, always understanding, even when I didn't deserve it. But my heart was somewhere else, with someone else. 

-Sophie, you don't understand—"

-Don't I?" she interrupted, her voice rising with frustration. -I see the way you look at your phone, hoping for a message from her. I know you're not over her. And it's killing me, Albert. I care about you so much, but I can't keep being the one you turn to when she breaks your heart again and again."

I felt the walls closing in, the weight of my mistakes pressing down on me. 

-I'm sorry, - I whispered, but the words felt inadequate, almost meaningless. -I never wanted to hurt you."

She let out a bitter laugh, shaking her head. 

-It's not your fault. I let myself believe that maybe, just maybe, you'd eventually see me as more than a friend, more than a distraction from Gracie. But I was wrong.

Her words cut deep, exposing the harsh reality I'd been trying to avoid. I reached out, wanting to comfort her, to apologize, to do something, anything, to make it right. But she stepped back, her eyes flashing with a mix of anger and sadness.

-No, Albert,- she said firmly, her voice trembling slightly. -You need to figure out what you really want. But I can't keep doing this—waiting in the shadows, hoping you'll finally choose me.

The silence that followed was suffocating, thick with unspoken words and shattered hopes. I knew I couldn't ask her to stay, not when I couldn't give her what she deserved. Sophie had been more than patient, more than understanding, but I'd pushed her to her limit.

After what felt like an eternity, Sophie took a deep breath, her shoulders slumping as if the fight had drained out of her. 

-I'll be here if you need me," she said quietly, her voice barely above a whisper. -But I can't keep pretending that this is enough."

She turned and walked toward the door, each step heavy with finality. I wanted to call out to her, to stop her, to say something that would change everything, but the words caught in my throat. I was paralyzed, trapped in my own mess of emotions.

The door closed softly behind her, leaving me alone in the oppressive silence of my apartment. I sank onto the couch, staring at the spot where Sophie had stood just moments before. My mind was a chaotic swirl of thoughts—Gracie's face, Sophie's tears, the endless loop of what-ifs and missed chances.

I picked up my phone, staring at the screen as if willing it to give me some answers, some direction. But all I saw was Gracie's name, her face, her smile, and the image of her walking away from me, again and again.

I knew what I needed to do. I needed to confront Gracie, to demand answers, to finally put to rest the ghosts that had been haunting me since the accident. But the thought of facing her, of reopening those wounds, terrified me. Because deep down, I knew that if I did, there might be no going back.

And yet, as I sat there in the dark, I realized that I had no choice. This thing between Gracie and me—it was unfinished, unresolved, and it was tearing me apart from the inside out. If I didn't confront it, it would destroy me.

But Gracie doesn't need me now. I sent her a million letters and still, I don't have an answer from her. Maybe she is happy with Charlie. I should be happy with Sophie too. She is amazing and I know that she loves me. She didn't run away. She is still here in my apartment.

I stood up from the sofa and went to the other room. I found Sophie crying and I went to her. I got down on my knee in front of her and I took her hand.

-Cool, that's it. I know I hurt you and I know I still love her but you helped me enough. Sophie, you did enough so I can try to change everything. I promise that I am gonna forget about her and I am gonna try to do something with you.

-I love you. - She whispered.

-I love you too.