Across the Miles of Love

Chapter 16: Crossroads

It had been four months since Ethan left, and in that time, Lena's life had settled into a fragile rhythm. She had returned to New York with Sophia, quietly integrating her daughter into her life while keeping the secret from both James and her father. Each day felt like a delicate balance—managing her growing fashion empire, navigating motherhood, and keeping Sophia's true identity hidden.

James had been attentive and supportive, but Lena hadn't told him the truth about Sophia. It wasn't that she didn't trust him—James had always been a steady presence in her life—but the complexities of her situation with Ethan felt too overwhelming to explain. For now, the lie she had built was her only shield.

Sophia's New Life in New York

Sophia had adjusted quickly to her new life in New York. Enrolled in an elite private school, she excelled in her studies and made friends easily, her bright personality and inquisitive nature making her a favorite among her teachers and classmates. But for Lena, every drop-off and pick-up was a reminder of the precariousness of their situation. She had worked hard to keep her daughter hidden from her father, but in a city like New York, it was only a matter of time before the walls began to close in.

Sara had been her rock through it all. She had taken on the role of Sophia's guardian during Lena's long workdays, helping with school pickups and offering the emotional support Lena so desperately needed. Together, they had built a quiet life, but beneath the surface, both women knew it was only a matter of time before the past caught up with them.

One day, after picking Sophia up from school, Sara sensed Lena's tension. As they walked back to the apartment, she gently asked, "Are you still not going to tell James about Sophia?"

Lena sighed, her gaze drifting to her daughter as she skipped happily ahead of them. "I don't know how to, Sara. I don't know how to explain everything. He loves me, but... Sophia complicates things."

Sara nodded sympathetically. "But he deserves to know, Lena. You can't keep living like this. It's going to unravel."

"I know," Lena whispered. "But right now, I need to protect Sophia. I can't let my father find out—not yet."

James' Concern

That evening, after Sophia had gone to bed, James arrived at Lena's apartment, his face full of concern. He had noticed the growing distance between them, the way Lena seemed more distracted, more guarded. As he sat down across from her, his gaze searching her face, he spoke gently.

"Lena, something's been bothering you for months. I've tried to give you space, but... I can't shake the feeling that you're hiding something from me."

Lena froze, her heart pounding. She had anticipated this moment but hadn't prepared herself for how hard it would be to face. She looked into James' eyes, filled with the same compassion he had always shown her, and felt the weight of her secret pressing down on her.

"It's complicated, James," she began, her voice barely above a whisper. "There's something I haven't told you. Something about my past."

James reached for her hand, his voice steady. "Lena, whatever it is, I'm here for you. We can get through it together."

She hesitated, her mind racing. Could she tell him? Could she trust him with the truth about Sophia and her tangled history with Ethan? Before she could answer, there was a knock at the door.

An Unexpected Visit

Rina stood in the doorway, her expression as calm and composed as ever. She had flown in from France for business, but Lena knew the real reason for her visit was Ethan. Since Ethan's disappearance, Rina had kept in touch with Felix, quietly monitoring Ethan's condition while juggling her own emotions. Though she had never confessed her true feelings for Ethan, her concern for him had only grown in his absence.

"Lena, we need to talk," Rina said, her voice firm but kind. "It's about Ethan."

Lena's heart skipped a beat. "What's happened? Is he okay?"

Rina glanced at James, then back at Lena, her gaze softening. "I think we should talk privately."

James, sensing the weight of the conversation, stood up. "I'll give you both some space," he said, kissing Lena's cheek before leaving the room.

Once alone, Rina sat down, her hands clasped tightly in her lap. "Ethan hasn't been honest with you," she began, her voice steady. "He's been sick. That's why he left."

Lena's chest tightened as she absorbed the news. "Sick? What do you mean?"

"He's been undergoing treatment for a respiratory condition," Rina explained. "It's curable, but it's taken a toll on him. He didn't want to burden you with the truth, so he lied about the project. He thought leaving would protect you and Sophia."

Lena's mind swirled with conflicting emotions—anger, sadness, guilt. "So all this time... he's been struggling, and I had no idea."

Rina nodded, her expression filled with sympathy. "He didn't want to hurt you, Lena. But he's been carrying this alone for too long."

Confronting the Truth

The weight of Rina's words hung in the air as Lena sat silently, processing the revelation. For months, she had been torn between waiting for Ethan and building a new life with Sophia in New York. Now, knowing the truth, the ache in her chest deepened.

"What do I do now?" Lena whispered, her voice barely audible.

Rina reached across the table, placing a comforting hand on Lena's. "You reach out to him. He needs you, Lena. And Sophia needs her father."

Lena nodded, her heart heavy with the realization that she could no longer avoid the truth. She needed to face Ethan, to confront the pain and the secrets they had both been hiding.

The Meeting with Her Father

The next morning, Lena received an unexpected call from her father. He had asked her to meet him at the luxury mall where their flagship store was located. The tension between them had always been palpable, but lately, Lena had sensed that her father was growing more suspicious—especially after the incident where Sophia had helped him after his fall.

As Lena entered the mall, her heart raced. She wasn't sure if her father knew about Sophia yet, but the way he had looked at the little girl that day haunted her.

When she arrived at the coffee shop where they were supposed to meet, her father was already seated, his sharp eyes focused intently on her. He gestured for her to sit, his tone cool as he spoke.

"There's something I need to know, Lena," he said, his gaze unwavering. "That little girl, Sophia... there's something about her. Who is she, really?"

Lena's pulse quickened as she struggled to maintain her composure. The lie she had built was beginning to unravel, and she knew that once her father learned the truth, there would be no going back.