Beneath the Surface

Chapter 25

~ Part 2 ~

California, 2018

The warm glow of the California sunset filtered through the tall windows of their LA home, casting a golden hue over the pristine living room. Lizzie stood near the glass, absently looking out at the city below, her thoughts far away despite the peaceful scene. Her hand absentmindedly twisted the engagement ring around her finger, its sparkle catching the light, a constant reminder of the life she had now—successful, stable, happy. At least, that's what it was supposed to be.

From behind her, Robbie's soft voice pulled her from her thoughts. "You okay, babe?"

Lizzie turned to see him sitting on the couch, his guitar on his lap, strumming a familiar melody. He was watching her, his eyes full of the gentle concern that always made her heart ache with guilt. She smiled, a practiced and perfect smile, and nodded. "Yeah, I'm fine. Just... thinking."

He placed the guitar down and stood up, walking over to her, wrapping his arms around her waist. "You've been thinking a lot lately," he teased softly, kissing the top of her head. "Everything good with the premiere coming up?"

Lizzie nodded again, though her thoughts drifted once more. The premiere—Infinity War—was days away, another big moment in her career. She should be excited, thrilled even. But something felt off. She felt off. The life she'd built for herself, the career, the engagement—it all seemed perfect on the surface. But underneath, there was a quiet discontent, a gnawing feeling that something was missing.

Or maybe, someone.

She let out a slow breath, resting her head against Robbie's chest. "Yeah, everything's good. Just nervous, I guess."

"I don't know why you'd be nervous," Robbie said with a chuckle, giving her a reassuring squeeze. "You're going to be amazing, as always. Besides, I'll be right there with you."

Lizzie smiled, though the thought of the upcoming premiere only brought an uncomfortable swirl of emotions. She hadn't been able to shake this feeling for weeks, maybe even months—this undercurrent of restlessness that kept her up at night. She couldn't quite put her finger on it, but it had started sometime after the engagement. The moment she'd said yes, the moment the world celebrated her and Robbie's union, something in her had shifted.

She felt guilty, like she should be more excited, more in love, more... everything. But instead, her thoughts drifted to the past. To a time before Robbie, before all of this.

To Y/N.

It had been nearly a decade since she had seen her. A decade since Y/N had walked out of her life, leaving behind only a note and a bracelet. Lizzie had moved on, or at least she thought she had. But there were nights—quiet, late nights—when she would lie in bed and wonder where Y/N was. What she was doing. If she had thought about Lizzie as much as Lizzie had thought about her.

She quickly pushed the thought away, not wanting to slip back into that old longing. She had Robbie now. She had a life. A successful career. She was about to marry a man who adored her. Y/N was the past.

"I should go over my lines," Lizzie said softly, slipping out of Robbie's embrace. "Just need a little time to get ready for everything."

"Of course," Robbie replied, his smile never faltering. "I'll get dinner started, okay? Take your time."

Lizzie nodded, giving him a small kiss on the cheek before retreating to the quiet of her office. Once inside, she closed the door, leaning against it for a moment as she exhaled. Her fingers instinctively reached for her phone, scrolling through the endless messages and emails, her mind not fully focused on any of it.

And yet, as she scrolled, a familiar unease crept into her chest. She glanced at the ring on her finger, the weight of it suddenly heavier than it had ever felt before.

What was wrong with her? Why couldn't she just be happy? Why couldn't she stop thinking about Y/N?

With a frustrated sigh, Lizzie set the phone down and opened the desk drawer. There, buried beneath scripts and notebooks, was the bracelet. The one Y/N had left for her all those years ago. She hadn't worn it since that day, but she couldn't bring herself to throw it away either.

Her fingers brushed over the cool metal, a flood of memories rushing back, unbidden. The way Y/N had looked at her, the way she had made Lizzie feel—like she was the only person in the world. And then the way Y/N had left, so suddenly, without a word.

Lizzie closed her eyes, gripping the bracelet tightly.

She had moved on. She had a life with Robbie. She loved him.

But deep down, she knew she hadn't really let go of Y/N. Not entirely.

And now, with the premiere coming up and the press hounding her about her engagement, the past felt closer than ever.

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