When Dreams Collide: The Story of Y/N and Elizabeth Olsen

Chapter 41: Is this the end Conflicted

Chapter 41: A New Beginning

[Y/N’s Living Room – Evening]

Y/N sits on the couch, her hands trembling slightly as she looks at Dua sitting across from her. The house feels quiet, but there’s a tension in the air. River is upstairs, and although he's only two, he's already sensing that something has changed. Y/N takes a deep breath and starts.

Y/N:
"I never thought it would end up like this. I never wanted to hurt you, Dua."

Dua:
"I know. And it doesn’t make this any easier. But... it’s not about the hurt anymore, is it?"

Y/N nods, her eyes welling up with tears.

Y/N:
"I still care about you, more than you know. But I can't pretend that things haven't changed. I need to be honest with myself... and with you."

Dua:
"And with Elizabeth."

Y/N sighs, the weight of the truth sinking in.

Y/N:
"Yeah... with Elizabeth too. But I never wanted this to hurt you. We’ve built a life together, and River—"

Dua:
"We’ll always have that, Y/N. We’ll always have River. And no matter what, I’ll always love you. But I think we both know that I can't be what you need anymore. And... that’s okay."

Y/N:
"I wish things were different. I wish I could just... be with you the way I used to be."

Dua leans forward, taking Y/N’s hands in hers. Her voice is soft but firm.

Dua:
"But you can't. And I’ve seen it, even before you admitted it. You've been pulling away, little by little. And Elizabeth... she’s always been a part of you, hasn’t she?"

Y/N doesn’t respond immediately, her throat tightening with emotion.

Y/N:
"She was... is. I didn’t want it to be this way, but... Elizabeth has always had a piece of me. I can’t change that."

Dua lets go of Y/N’s hands and sits back, her gaze drifting to the ceiling as she collects her thoughts.

Dua:
"You know, I always knew she’d be the one to win. I fought it. I fought it hard because I loved you so much, Y/N. I still do. But I love you enough to let you go. You deserve to be with the person who makes you feel whole."

Y/N:
"I want you to be happy too, Dua. You’ve given me so much... and River—"

Dua cuts her off, her voice filled with a mix of sadness and strength.

Dua:
"River will always be ours. No matter what. We’re in this together, Y/N. We’ll figure out how to co-parent, and we’ll make sure he knows he’s loved. But you can’t stay here and pretend everything’s okay when it's not."

Y/N wipes away a tear, nodding. She knows Dua is right, but it doesn’t make the reality any less painful.

Y/N:
"I’ve bought a new house. It’s not far, just a few streets away. I’ll still be close, for River."

Dua's expression softens.

Dua:
"You’ve thought this through. I’m glad... I’m glad you’ll still be close. He’ll need that stability."

They sit in silence for a few moments, the enormity of their decisions sinking in. Suddenly, they hear small footsteps coming down the stairs. River appears, holding his favorite stuffed toy, his face scrunched in confusion.

River:
"Mama... what happened?"

Y/N exchanges a glance with Dua. They knew this moment would come, but neither of them had prepared for how to explain it to their two-year-old son.

Y/N:
"Hey, buddy."

She picks him up and sits him on her lap.

Dua:
"River, sweetheart, Mama and I need to talk to you about something important."

River looks between the two of them, his little brow furrowing.

River:
"Why you sad?"

Y/N presses a kiss to his forehead, trying to hold back her tears.

Y/N:
"We’re not sad, baby. We just... we need to make some changes. You know how much we both love you, right?"

River nods, still looking unsure.

Dua:
"That’s never going to change. We’re both going to be here for you. But Mama is going to live in a new house soon."

River’s eyes widen, and he frowns.

River:
"No! No new house! Mama stay here!"

Y/N holds him tighter, her heart breaking a little more.

Y/N:
"I’ll still be close, River. You can come visit anytime you want, and I’ll come here too. You’ll have two homes to play in."

River shakes his head, not fully understanding but sensing the shift in their lives.

River:
"I want Mama and Mommy both."

Dua:
"We know, sweetie. And we’re both here. Always. It’s just that sometimes... grown-ups have to do things differently to make everyone happy."

River hugs Y/N tightly, burying his face in her neck. Y/N closes her eyes, tears slipping down her cheeks.

Y/N:
"We’re going to be okay, River. I promise."

Dua reaches over, resting a hand on River’s back and sharing a silent, understanding look with Y/N.

Dua:
"We’re still a family, River. That will never change."

River sniffles, still holding on to Y/N as tight as he can. Slowly, he calms down, his little arms loosening their grip.

River:
"Okay, Mommy. I love you."

Y/N kisses his cheek, her voice barely a whisper.

Y/N:
"I love you too, baby."

Dua wipes a tear from her own eye, her voice steady as she speaks again.

Dua:
"Let’s get you back to bed, sweetheart."

Y/N and Dua help River back upstairs, tucking him in and saying goodnight. As they stand in the doorway, watching him sleep, the reality of their new lives begins to settle in.

Dua:
"We’ll be okay. All of us."

Y/N:
"Yeah. We will."

They share a final, bittersweet glance before heading downstairs, the weight of the future heavy but no longer unbearable.