Twisted Vows

chapter 2 : the unraveling truth

The days following Olivia's return were suffocating. Ethan couldn't escape the whirlwind of emotions crashing over him like relentless waves. Every glance from Samantha felt heavier, as if she could sense the storm brewing just beyond her reach. But the truth still remained hidden from her—she had no idea that the man she married was once in love with her own sister.Ethan stared blankly at his phone, Olivia's message glowing on the screen.**"We need to talk. Please meet me tonight. I can't let this go on."**He let out a shaky breath. Ignoring her wasn't an option, and deep down, he knew that. Olivia had reappeared in his life like a ghost from the past, stirring up feelings he'd buried for his own survival. But there was more at stake now—he wasn't just some lost boy in love anymore. He had responsibilities, even if his marriage to Samantha was built on fragile foundations.Later that evening, Ethan found himself in a dimly lit café, far enough from the city center to avoid being noticed. Olivia sat at a corner table, her fingers anxiously tapping the rim of her coffee cup. When she saw him, her eyes softened, but the tension between them was undeniable."Ethan," she whispered, standing as he approached. There was a vulnerability in her voice, one that reminded him of the girl he used to know—the girl who had once made him believe they could take on the world together.He sat across from her, feeling the weight of their history settle between them like an invisible wall. "Why are you here, Olivia?" he asked, his tone more resigned than angry. "Why now?"She exhaled sharply, gripping her cup as though it was the only thing keeping her grounded. "I didn't know, Ethan. I swear, I didn't know you were married to her." Her voice cracked. "If I had known..."Her words hung in the air, but Ethan couldn't help the bitterness creeping into his chest. "You didn't know because you left. You left without a word. I thought you were gone for good, Olivia."Tears welled in her eyes, but she quickly blinked them away. "I didn't have a choice. My parents—they threatened you. They said they'd kill you if I didn't leave. I had to protect you, Ethan. But I never stopped thinking about you."Ethan ran a hand through his hair, frustration bubbling up inside him. "And now? What are you expecting me to do now? I'm married to your sister."Olivia looked down, her fingers trembling as she gripped her cup tighter. "I didn't know she was your wife until I walked into that office. I came back to find you, to fix things, but now... it's a mess. I never wanted to hurt anyone. Least of all Samantha."Ethan leaned back in his chair, feeling the weight of his confusion crush him. "Samantha doesn't know, and I can't—" he paused, unsure of what to say next. "I don't know what to do. You were my past, Olivia. But now, I'm trying to move forward."Olivia's voice broke. "But do you love her, Ethan? Or is it just a deal—something you had to do to survive?"The question cut deep, and Ethan found himself at a loss for words. Did he love Samantha? She had been his lifeline when he was drowning, but love? It was complicated. Before he could answer, Olivia reached out, her hand lightly touching his. "I didn't come here to break your marriage, Ethan. I just needed you to know the truth. But seeing you again... I still care about you. I never stopped."His heart ached at her words, but guilt gnawed at him. "I care about you too, Olivia," he admitted, his voice low. "But things aren't the same. I don't even know if they can be."Just then, his phone buzzed in his pocket, pulling him back to reality. It was Samantha, her name lighting up the screen. The weight of the secret he was keeping from her felt unbearable."I have to go," he muttered, standing abruptly.Olivia's face fell, but she nodded in understanding. "I'll be here, Ethan. No matter what happens."As he left the café, Ethan's mind was a whirlwind. He had two women in his life—one who had once been his world and another who had saved him when he had nothing. But the secret that connected them was like a ticking time bomb, threatening to shatter everything.When he returned home, Samantha was sitting on the couch, her laptop open, going over some late-night reports. She glanced up at him with a tired smile."You're home late," she said, her tone soft but curious.Ethan nodded, forcing a smile. "Yeah, had to take care of something."She studied him for a moment, her eyes narrowing slightly as if sensing something was off. But instead of questioning him, she simply patted the seat next to her. "Come sit with me. I've missed you."He hesitated for a second before joining her, the weight of his meeting with Olivia still heavy on his shoulders. Samantha leaned into him, resting her head on his shoulder. For a moment, the world felt calm again, but deep down, Ethan knew that the storm was far from over.The question remained: How long could he keep this secret? And when the truth came out, would there be anything left to salvage?