Across the Miles of Love

Chapter 4: The Fractured Truth

Lena sat in her apartment, the revelation still echoing in her mind. I have a daughter. The reality was impossible to comprehend. Sophia had been alive all these years, growing up without her, believing she had abandoned her—when in fact, Lena had no idea she even existed. The betrayal from her father, the secrets that Ethan had kept... it was too much.

Her phone buzzed with a message from James. She hadn't spoken to him since their argument in the office, and her heart tightened with guilt as she read his text.

"We need to talk. I'm coming over."

Lena sighed, glancing at the clock. It was nearly midnight, and the last thing she wanted was more confrontation. But she couldn't avoid James forever. She had to face him, and soon, she'd have to tell him about Sophia—about everything.

A knock on the door startled her. James didn't wait for her to answer before walking in, his face hard with frustration.

"You've been avoiding me," he said, not bothering to mask the accusation in his voice.

"I haven't been avoiding you," Lena replied, though even she knew the words were a weak defense. "I've just... I've had a lot to think about."

James crossed his arms, his sharp gaze pinning her down. "I know this has something to do with Ethan. And I'm not going to stand by while you get sucked back into that mess."

Lena felt a wave of irritation rising. "It's not about getting sucked back in. It's more complicated than you realize."

"Then explain it to me!" James's voice grew louder, his anger bubbling to the surface. "I've been patient, Lena. But you've been shutting me out for weeks, and now this? What am I supposed to think?"

She stood up, her frustration finally boiling over. "I don't owe you an explanation for everything that happened in my past, James!"

"Don't you?" he shot back, his face flushing with anger. "I thought we were building a future together. But you're keeping secrets from me."

Lena clenched her fists, fighting to keep control. "This isn't about you! This is about me trying to figure out my life. And there are things—things you don't know about."

"Like what?" James demanded, his voice harsh. "What could be so important that you can't even trust me with it?"

Lena opened her mouth to tell him, to confess everything about Sophia, about the lies her father had spun, about the years she had lost. But something stopped her. She wasn't ready—not yet. She needed time to process it all herself before she could share it with James, or anyone.

"Just give me space," Lena said quietly, her voice pleading now. "Please."

James's eyes flickered with hurt, but he nodded stiffly. "Fine. I'll give you space. But don't expect me to wait around forever while you decide whether you still want to be in this relationship."

He turned and stormed out, leaving Lena alone in the silence of her apartment. She sank onto the couch, her emotions a swirling storm of confusion, guilt, and a deep ache for the daughter she never knew.

Two days later, Lena found herself standing in front of a brownstone in Brooklyn. Ethan had sent her the address—he and Sophia were staying here temporarily while Ethan worked on a project in the city. The thought of meeting her daughter for the first time made Lena's heart race with both excitement and fear.

She took a deep breath and knocked on the door. It swung open, and there was Ethan, looking as nervous as she felt.

"Lena," he said softly, stepping aside to let her in. "She's excited to meet you."

Lena nodded, her throat tight. She followed him into the living room, her heart pounding in her chest. And then, there she was—Sophia. Sitting on the couch, reading a book. A small, curious smile appeared on her face when she saw Lena.

"Sophia," Ethan said gently, "this is... this is your mom."

Sophia's eyes widened, and she looked at Lena with a mixture of wonder and uncertainty. "You're my mom?" she asked, her voice soft.

Lena's breath caught in her throat. She knelt down in front of Sophia, tears welling in her eyes. "Yes, sweetheart. I'm your mom."

For a moment, there was silence as they both took in the enormity of the moment. Then, without warning, Sophia threw her arms around Lena, hugging her tightly. Lena's heart swelled with love, and she held her daughter close, feeling the years of pain and separation melt away in that single embrace.

"I've been waiting to meet you," Sophia whispered into her shoulder.

Lena closed her eyes, letting the tears fall. "I've been waiting for this, too," she whispered back, her voice breaking.

Ethan stood nearby, watching with a look of quiet relief and guilt. But Lena's heart wasn't ready to forgive just yet. This reunion, though joyous, was tinged with the weight of betrayal and secrets kept for far too long.

That night, after Sophia had gone to bed, Lena and Ethan sat across from each other at the kitchen table. The tension between them was palpable, the unsaid words hanging in the air like a thick fog.

"Thank you for letting me meet her," Lena said, her voice hoarse from the emotions of the day.

"You deserve to be in her life," Ethan replied quietly. "I never wanted to keep her from you."

Lena's anger flared. "But you did. You knew about her for years, and you let me live without knowing the truth. How could you do that?"

Ethan sighed, running a hand through his hair. "It wasn't that simple. Your father... he threatened me, Lena. He said he'd destroy my career, my life, if I ever told you. I didn't know what else to do."

"You should have fought harder!" Lena snapped, her voice rising. "You should have come to me! I could have helped. We could have figured it out together."

"I was scared!" Ethan shot back, his frustration bubbling over. "I didn't know how to fight him. I was young, and I was terrified of losing everything. And by the time I realized how wrong I was, it felt like it was too late."

Lena's hands shook as she glared at him. "You let me believe I had moved on from that life, from you. But I didn't. And now, I've lost years with my own daughter because of your fear."

Ethan's face crumpled with regret, his voice trembling. "I'm sorry, Lena. I know I can't undo the past. But I'm trying to make it right now. I want you to be a part of Sophia's life. I want us to try to be a family—for her."

Lena felt her chest tighten. The idea of being a family again, of rebuilding something with Ethan, both thrilled and terrified her. But trust had been shattered, and the anger she felt still burned hot.

"I don't know if I can ever trust you again," Lena whispered, her voice barely audible. "You kept something so important from me. I don't know if we can ever be what we were."

Ethan's eyes filled with sadness. "I understand. And I won't push you. But I'm here. And I'm willing to do whatever it takes to earn that trust back. Not just for us, but for Sophia."

Lena didn't respond, her mind a whirlwind of conflicting emotions. Part of her wanted to believe him, to give him another chance. But the wounds were too fresh, too deep.

As she stood to leave, Ethan reached out and gently touched her arm. "Lena," he said softly, "just remember this: Sophia needs both of us. No matter what happens between us, we have to put her first."

Lena nodded, tears stinging her eyes. "I know. I just... I need time."

With that, she walked out into the night, her heart heavy with the weight of lost love, broken trust, and the fragile hope of what might still be.