Beneath The Surface

Chapter 53: Heart on the Line

Ava's pulse pounded in her ears as she looked into Ethan's eyes. His expression was open, concerned, but she could already see the hints of worry there. He knew something was wrong; he wasn't oblivious to her distance in the past few days. But she hadn't prepared herself for the conversation she was about to have.

She took a deep breath and began, "Ethan, I don't even know where to start. Things have been really complicated for me lately..."

Ethan reached across the table, gently taking her hand in his. "Ava, whatever it is, you can tell me. I'm here."

The kindness in his voice made it harder. Ava felt the weight of the moment settle in her chest like a boulder. She wanted to be honest with him, but honesty would mean hurting him, and that was the last thing she wanted.

"Lucas... he called me," she said softly, watching the color drain from Ethan's face. She quickly added, "I didn't want to talk to him at first. I didn't. But he kept reaching out, and... I don't know how to feel."

Ethan's grip on her hand loosened, and his face clouded with confusion. "Lucas? What... what does he want?"

Ava swallowed the lump in her throat. "He says he made a mistake, that he wants me back. That he regrets leaving, and he's trying to prove he's changed."

Ethan sat back in his seat, his jaw tightening as he processed her words. "And what do you think, Ava? Do you believe him?"

Ava could barely look him in the eye. "I don't know. I want to believe he's changed, but I'm scared, Ethan. I'm scared he'll hurt me again. But I can't pretend like I don't still have feelings for him. And that's not fair to you."

There it was, the truth she had been dreading. Ava felt like the worst person in the world as she watched Ethan's expression shift from concern to pain. She could see the cracks forming in his heart, the realization that this wasn't going to be a simple conversation.

"So, what are you saying, Ava?" Ethan's voice was steady, but there was an unmistakable hurt laced beneath his calm exterior. "Do you want to give him another chance?"

"I don't know," Ava whispered, her voice shaking. "I don't know what I want. All I know is that I don't want to lie to you, and I don't want to lead you on. You've been so good to me, Ethan. You've been everything I could ever ask for. But right now... I just feel so confused."

Ethan closed his eyes, exhaling slowly as if he was trying to keep his emotions in check. "Ava, I get that you're confused, but where does that leave us? What am I supposed to do with this?"

Ava's heart twisted in her chest. "I don't know. I'm not saying I'm choosing Lucas, and I'm not saying I'm choosing you. I just... I need time to figure things out. I need to understand what's best for me."

Ethan sat in silence for what felt like an eternity. Ava could see the inner battle he was fighting—between wanting to hold on to her and wanting to let her go so she could find the answers she needed. When he finally spoke, his voice was quiet but resolute.

"I love you, Ava," he said, his eyes meeting hers. "And because I love you, I'm going to give you that time. But I need to know... Are you even open to the idea of us, or are you already leaning toward Lucas?"

Ava's heart ached at the question. She wished she could give him a clear answer, but she couldn't. "I'm not leaning toward anyone right now. I just need to figure myself out."

Ethan nodded, though the hurt in his eyes was undeniable. "Okay. I'll give you space. But please, don't string me along. If you decide that Lucas is who you want, just tell me. Don't make me wait for something that's never going to happen."

Ava nodded, her throat tight with emotion. "I promise, Ethan. I won't."

They finished their meal in near silence, the once warm, comforting atmosphere of the diner now feeling cold and distant. Ava could barely taste her food as she picked at it, her thoughts too consumed by everything that had just transpired. Ethan paid the bill without another word, and they walked out into the cool evening air.

As they stood outside, Ava turned to him. "I'm sorry, Ethan."

He gave her a small, sad smile. "Don't be sorry, Ava. Just be honest with yourself."

With that, Ethan leaned down and pressed a soft kiss to her forehead, lingering for just a moment longer than usual. Ava's heart shattered all over again as he pulled away, his eyes full of unspoken words.

"Take care of yourself, Ava," he said quietly before turning and walking away, leaving her standing alone under the streetlights.

Ava watched him go, the weight of her decision heavier than ever. She didn't know what the future held, but she knew one thing for sure—she couldn't keep running from her feelings. It was time to confront them head-on, no matter how much it hurt.

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