Forever Yours

CHAPTER 5

But don't hold back forever, okay?

Emily's mornings had become quieter, and she found solace in the calm of her new routine. Each day began the same: waking up to the soft glow of the early morning light, the world outside still hushed as it slowly came to life. The streets, usually bustling with noise, were silent, and for once, Emily didn't mind. She took comfort in this solitude. Her focus had shifted—no longer drawn to the chaos of heartbreak or the sting of Ryan's betrayal. Instead, her mind was centered on herself, her healing, and her peace.

It hadn't been easy. The sting of losing someone who was once your world didn't fade overnight, but Emily was determined. She had spent too many nights trapped in her thoughts, replaying the past, questioning every word and action. But now, she understood that to move forward, she had to let go, even if it meant embracing the discomfort of being alone.

The routine helped. Work had become her refuge, a place where she could find control over the small things, like grabbing her usual cup of coffee as soon as she entered the office. She enjoyed the hum of the office early in the morning before anyone else arrived. It was her time to breathe, to settle into her own space, away from the expectations of others. Slowly, Emily had started to savor these moments of stillness, even finding joy in them.

But she wasn't entirely alone.

Henry, Trisha's brother, had become a constant presence in her life, more than she had expected. He never intruded or asked for more than she could give. He was just... there. A steady, quiet force, always at her side when she needed a listening ear or a shoulder to lean on. His presence was grounding, and though she had tried to keep her distance at first, Emily found herself relying on him more with each passing day.

Henry had always been gentle, patient—so different from Ryan, who had burned bright and fast, only to fade when things got hard. With Henry, there were no expectations. He didn't push her to move faster than she was ready, didn't ask for anything in return. He just existed in her space, filling it with a calm that she didn't know she needed. It was comforting, knowing someone like him was there, even if the thought of opening herself up to someone again scared her.

On the other hand, Henry was caught between two worlds—his affection for Emily and his loyalty to his sister. Trisha and Emily's friendship had been strained ever since Emily and Ryan's breakup, and Henry respected that. He never interfered, never tried to repair things between them. He understood that it was something they had to handle on their own. But what Henry couldn't ignore was how much he cared about Emily. It wasn't just a passing feeling—it had grown over time, slowly but steadily, and now it sat in his chest like a weight he couldn't shake.

One evening, after dinner, Henry found himself sitting in the living room with Trisha. The television was on, but he wasn't paying attention, his thoughts too preoccupied with Emily. Trisha, always the more observant one, noticed.

"You've been pretty focused on Emily lately," she teased, nudging him with her foot. "Think I haven't noticed?"

Henry let out a deep sigh, knowing this conversation was bound to happen. He leaned back, running a hand through his hair as he prepared to confess. "I guess there's no point in hiding it anymore," he admitted. "I care about her, Trish. More than just a friend."

Trisha raised an eyebrow, a small smirk forming on her lips. "I've always known," she said with a shrug. "You're not exactly subtle when it comes to her."

Henry chuckled, though there was a heaviness in his laugh. "I don't expect her to feel the same. Not after everything she's been through with Ryan. She deserves time to heal."

"Yeah, she does," Trisha agreed, her tone softening. "But that doesn't mean you have to hide how you feel. You've been there for her more than anyone else, Henry. Eventually, she'll see that. You're different from Ryan."

Henry nodded, but a part of him still doubted. He didn't want to be another complication in Emily's life. She had been through enough already. "I don't want to push her," he said quietly, more to himself than to his sister. "I'm just... here. For her. That's enough for now."

Trisha watched him carefully, her usual teasing demeanor fading. "You're a good guy, Henry. Just give her time. But don't hold back forever, okay?"

What Henry didn't know was that, once upon a time, Emily had harbored a secret crush on him. Back before Ryan had come into her life, before everything got complicated. It was something she had never acted on—just a small, innocent crush that Trisha had teased her about endlessly whenever she caught Emily sneaking glances at Henry. Back then, they were just kids, and Emily had always thought it was harmless, something fleeting. She never imagined it could be something more. But Trisha had always wondered if those old feelings would resurface now that Henry was stepping up for Emily in ways Ryan never had.

For now, though, Henry kept his feelings close, unsure if Emily was ready or even capable of returning them. He had no expectations. He didn't want to complicate things, especially while she was still healing. Instead, he was content to be there for her, as he had been since Ryan left. Whatever happened next, Henry would be ready, whether it meant staying as her friend or something more. What mattered most was that Emily found peace—and if he could help her get there, he would.

And so the days went on, with Emily continuing to find her balance, and Henry remaining a quiet, steady presence in her life, waiting for the day when she was ready to open herself up to something new.