The Space Between

Chapter 32 : A Shadow on our Happiness

As I stepped out of Matteo's room, a sense of calm washed over me, but it shattered the moment I spotted Ethan lingering near the entrance of the captain's house. His expression was tense, his eyes narrowing as they locked onto me.

"What are you doing here?" Ethan's voice was sharp, cutting through the quiet of the hallway.

I took a deep breath, steadying myself before responding. "I'm here for Matteo. He needs support, and I'm helping him. Ethan, I think it's time we talked honestly."

Ethan's gaze hardened, but I continued, determined to clear the air. "I understand why you reacted the way you did. I don’t judge you for it. I’ve sorted things out with Derek, and I hope we can do the same. I want us all to be okay."

His expression didn't soften, and he crossed his arms defensively. "You sorted things out with Derek? Just like that?" He scoffed. "You think you can just waltz in and fix everything, don’t you? Like nothing happened?"

I nodded, trying to keep my voice even. "I know it’s not that simple. I’m not saying it is. But we were together once, Ethan. I’ve always liked you, even if things didn't work out the way we hoped. I want us to move past all this."

Ethan’s face twisted with anger. "You think just because you’ve moved on, everyone else should too? You’re so selfish, Sophia. You didn’t care about anyone but yourself. Not Derek, not his sister, and definitely not me."

His words stung, and I felt a lump form in my throat. "Ethan, that’s not true. I’ve never meant to hurt anyone. My past with Derek is between us, and it’s not your place to judge."

He stepped closer, his voice rising. "Not my place? I was there, Sophia! I can assume what you did to him in the past I too have a sister i care for deeply, and now you’re doing the same to Matteo by playing with his feelings. You’re just playing games, messing with everyone’s lives like it’s nothing. You’re a liar, a manipulator, and—"

"Stop it, Ethan!" My voice broke as tears welled up in my eyes. "You don’t know what I’ve been through. You don’t understand what it was like—"

"Spare me the sob story," Ethan sneered. "You’re nothing but a two-timing—"

"Ethan, enough!" Matteo's voice boomed from behind us as he stormed into the room, eyes blazing with fury. "What the hell is wrong with you? She’s done nothing to deserve this. Just back off and walk it off, man."

Ethan shot Matteo a cold glare, his chest heaving with anger. "You’re just another one of her victims, Matteo. You’ll see."

Without another word, Ethan stormed out, leaving a heavy silence in his wake. I stood there, stunned, tears streaming down my face as Matteo pulled me into a comforting embrace.

"Hey, it’s okay," Matteo whispered, gently rubbing my back. "Ethan’s just… I don’t know what’s gotten into him, but it’s not your fault. None of this is."

I nodded, but the words didn’t soothe the ache in my chest. "I just don’t understand why he hates me so much. I never wanted to hurt anyone."

Matteo pulled back slightly, tilting my chin up so I could meet his eyes. "Ethan’s got his own issues to work through. It’s not about you. He’s just lashing out."

We walked back to the dorm, and as soon as the door closed behind us, the tears I’d been holding back spilled over. Matteo led me to the bed, sitting beside me as I cried into his shoulder.

"Shh, it’s okay," he murmured, his hand running soothingly through my hair. "We’ll get through this. I promise."

I pulled away slightly, wiping my tears with the back of my hand. "I just… I don’t know what I’ve done to deserve this. I’ve tried to make things right."

"You have," Matteo assured me. "You’ve done everything you can, and that’s all anyone can ask for. Ethan will come around. And if he doesn’t, that’s on him, not you."

I nodded, sniffling as I leaned back into Matteo’s comforting arms. Despite the shadow Ethan had cast over our happiness, I knew I wasn’t alone. Matteo was here, and that was enough for now.