When Dreams Collide: Y/N and Elizabeth Olsen RE WRITING

Chapter 12: 2019 - Crossroads (Expanded with Dialogue)

Chapter: 2019 - Crossroads

Hyde Park, London

Y/N tightened her shoelaces, the crisp autumn air biting at her cheeks. She took a deep breath, ready to finish her evening run, when a familiar bark broke through the hum of the city. Her steps faltered, her breath catching in her throat. It couldn’t be.

But there he was. Bounding across the park, his tail wagging furiously, ears flopping with every joyous leap—Lucky.

“Lucky!” Y/N dropped to her knees as the dog reached her, his excitement tangible in every lick, every whine, every wag. She hugged him tightly, burying her face in his fur as a lump formed in her throat.

“Hey, buddy… oh God, I missed you so much,” she whispered, tears stinging her eyes.

The sound of footsteps made her look up, and the breath she’d just regained was stolen once again. Elizabeth stood a few feet away, her arms crossed awkwardly over her chest.

“Liz…” Y/N’s voice wavered. She rose to her feet slowly, Lucky sticking by her side.

Elizabeth shifted her weight, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. “I didn’t think I’d see you here.”

“Neither did I.” Y/N’s voice was guarded, but the emotions were raw.

For a moment, they stood in silence, the air between them thick with tension. Lucky circled their legs, whining softly, as if he could sense the storm brewing.

“I’ve missed him,” Y/N admitted, her voice breaking. She glanced down at Lucky, her fingers brushing through his fur.

Elizabeth nodded, her expression a mixture of guilt and regret. “I know. He misses you, too.”

“Then why’d you take him?” Y/N’s question came out sharper than she intended, the pain from months of separation bubbling to the surface. “You knew what he meant to me.”

Elizabeth looked down, her face flushing with guilt. “I thought… I thought it would be easier. For both of us.”

“For both of us?” Y/N repeated, a bitter laugh escaping her lips. “Or for you?”

Elizabeth’s eyes snapped up, the hurt visible in their depths. “You think this has been easy for me?”

Y/N scoffed. “You’re the one who left. You filed for divorce. You kept Lucky. And now—what? You’ve got Robbie? You’ve moved on.”

Elizabeth flinched at the name, her composure faltering. “It’s not that simple.”

“Then make me understand,” Y/N pleaded, her voice breaking. “Because from where I’m standing, it sure looks like you left me behind without a second thought.”

Elizabeth stepped closer, her voice barely above a whisper. “I didn’t just move on, Y/N. I didn’t know how to deal with it. I didn’t know how to deal with… you.”

Y/N’s stomach churned, the weight of Elizabeth’s words settling over her. “You didn’t even try,” she said, her voice trembling.

Elizabeth’s lips parted as if to argue, but no words came. She dropped her gaze, her hands fidgeting nervously. “I did try. I just… I couldn’t give you what you needed.”

Y/N wanted to respond, but her eyes fell to Elizabeth’s left hand, where a diamond ring sparkled under the fading sunlight. Her breath caught.

“Is that an engagement ring?” The words barely left her lips.

Elizabeth hesitated, instinctively covering her hand. “Robbie… he proposed.”

Y/N stared at her, the world blurring around her. “Wow,” she whispered, swallowing the lump in her throat. “Congratulations.”

Elizabeth flinched at the coldness in Y/N’s tone. “Y/N, I—”

“No, it’s fine,” Y/N interrupted, forcing a tight smile. “I’m happy for you.” But the words felt like shards of glass in her mouth. She took a shaky breath, blinking away the tears threatening to spill. “I should go.”

Lucky whined, nudging Y/N’s leg, his big brown eyes pleading with her.

“Wait,” Elizabeth called out as Y/N turned to leave. “What about Lucky?”

Y/N stopped, glancing back over her shoulder. “What about him?”

Elizabeth hesitated. “If you want to see him… we can work something out.”

Y/N raised an eyebrow. “Work something out? Like what?”

“My mom… she watches him when I’m busy,” Elizabeth explained, her voice uncertain. “You can visit him there.”

Y/N let out a bitter laugh. “Your mom? Seriously?”

Elizabeth winced, her tone softening. “I’m just trying to make this easier.”

Y/N shook her head, the bitterness rising in her chest. “Right. Easier. For you.” She knelt down, giving Lucky one last hug. “Be a good boy, okay?” she whispered, her voice breaking.

And then she walked away, leaving Elizabeth standing alone with Lucky by her side.

Later that evening, Y/N’s flat.

The apartment was small, a far cry from the home she and Elizabeth once shared in Florida, but it was hers. Y/N moved to London in a desperate attempt to outrun the pain of her divorce. She’d accepted a contract with a local football club, throwing herself into training and games, hoping that the noise and chaos of the sport would drown out the deafening silence Elizabeth’s absence had left behind.

It wasn’t just a career move—it was an escape. Every corner of Florida reminded her of Elizabeth, of their life together. The beaches where they walked Lucky. The coffee shop where they spent lazy Sunday mornings. The house they’d turned into a home. It was all too much.

But even halfway across the world, the memories followed her.

That night, Y/N sat on her bed, staring at her phone. There was a new message from Rachel, her best friend back in Florida.

You okay, babe?

Y/N hesitated before typing back.

Yeah, I’m fine. Just tired.

It was a lie. She wasn’t fine. The truth was, she still couldn’t deal with it. She couldn’t deal with the fact that Elizabeth had chosen to walk away. She couldn’t deal with the empty space in her life where Elizabeth and Lucky used to be.

Turning off her phone, she buried her face in her hands, the ache in her chest refusing to fade.

Maybe one day, she’d feel whole again. Maybe one day, the pain would stop.

But tonight wasn’t that night.