Beneath The Surface

Chapter 44: Breaking Point

The air was thick with tension, every word between Ava and Ethan hanging in the night like a fragile thread. Ava's heart pounded in her chest, each beat more erratic than the last. She had never imagined things would come to this, standing on the edge of losing someone she cared so deeply for, yet unable to choose.

Ethan let out a heavy sigh, rubbing his temples. "I can't keep waiting in limbo, Ava. This isn't fair to either of us."

Ava looked down, her fingers twisting in her jacket sleeves. "I know it's not. I just—" She paused, swallowing hard. "I never wanted to be in this situation. I care about you, Ethan. So much. But Lucas..."

The moment his name left her lips, she saw the flash of pain cross Ethan's face. It was like a dagger to her heart, but she couldn't deny the truth any longer.

Ethan stared at her, his eyes searching hers for an answer that might bring him peace. But there was none. "So, it's him, then?" His voice was quiet, but there was an edge to it, a rawness that made Ava's throat tighten.

"It's not that simple," she tried to explain, her voice pleading. "I feel something for both of you. I'm confused, and I don't know how to handle it."

Ethan shook his head slowly, stepping away from her. "Ava, love doesn't work like that. You can't just split your heart in two."

Ava flinched at his words, tears brimming in her eyes. She had never wanted to hurt Ethan, never wanted to find herself standing here, on the verge of losing everything.

"I'm sorry," she whispered, her voice barely audible above the night breeze.

He turned his back to her, staring out over the city. The silence stretched, thick and suffocating. Ava didn't know what to say to make things better—didn't know if there was anything she *could* say. Ethan had every right to feel the way he did.

"You need to figure this out," Ethan finally said, his voice steady but distant. "I can't be the one waiting around, hoping you'll choose me when you can't even choose yourself."

Ava's heart cracked, her tears spilling over as she watched his shoulders tense, the weight of his words settling heavily between them.

"I understand," she managed to say, though it felt like her chest was being torn open. "I don't want to lose you."

He didn't turn around. "You might already have."

Her knees felt weak, the impact of his words like a blow to her core. Ethan turned to leave, walking away from her for what felt like the last time. She opened her mouth to call after him, to say something—anything—that might keep him from leaving.

But no words came.

Ava stood frozen, watching as Ethan's figure disappeared into the darkness. The night felt colder without him there, the weight of her indecision pulling her down like an anchor.

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When Ava finally made it home, she collapsed onto her bed, burying her face in her pillow. The tears came in a flood now, unstoppable and overwhelming. Her chest ached, her throat raw from trying to hold it all in. She had never felt so lost, so completely broken.

Ethan's words echoed in her mind: *You can't just split your heart in two.* But what if she had already done that? What if she had broken her own heart in the process?

The door to her room creaked open, and her mom stepped in, concern written all over her face. "Ava, honey, are you okay?"

Ava wiped her face quickly, trying to hide the tears, but it was pointless. Her mom sat down beside her on the bed, her hand resting gently on Ava's shoulder.

"You don't have to tell me what's going on if you don't want to," her mom said softly. "But I'm here if you need to talk."

Ava sniffled, her voice barely a whisper. "I don't know what to do, Mom."

Her mom's eyes were warm and understanding, and she stroked Ava's hair gently. "I think you do know, sweetheart. But sometimes, the right answer is the hardest one to admit."

Ava let out a shaky breath, her mind spinning. Was her mom right? Did she already know what her heart wanted, but was too afraid to admit it?

"Listen to yourself," her mom said softly. "You'll find the answer there."

Ava nodded, though her heart still felt heavy. She didn't want to hurt anyone—least of all Ethan. But maybe it was time to face the truth, no matter how painful it was.

As her mom left the room, Ava lay in the dark, staring up at the ceiling. She had a choice to make, and it wasn't going to be easy. But for the first time, she realized she couldn't keep running from it. Her heart had been torn between two worlds for far too long, and now it was time to decide.

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