The Unspoken Attraction

Chapter 10: Life Without you by my side

The days after Ian's departure unfolded in a strange blur, each moment stretching into what felt like an eternity. As the sun rose each morning, Isabella found herself waking to the familiar emptiness beside her, the warm imprint of Ian's body replaced by cold sheets. The realization that she had to face another day without him tugged at her heart, an unwelcome reminder of the distance that now separated them.

The first few days had been bearable; she kept herself busy, immersing her mind in work, planning outings with friends, and even taking on extra hours at the office. Each distraction was a temporary escape from the aching void Ian's absence created. But as the week dragged on, the initial thrill of independence faded, leaving behind a haunting sense of longing that settled like a weight on her chest.

Every evening, she would return home, greeted by the silence of her apartment that felt far too large without Ian's laughter echoing through it. She settled into her routine, brewing a cup of coffee, and curling up on the couch with her laptop, but even the soothing aroma of the freshly brewed drink couldn't chase away the loneliness. The small apartment that once felt like a haven now seemed to amplify her solitude.

As the days stretched on, Isabella found herself visiting Ian's social media accounts far more than she cared to admit. She told herself it was just to keep up with his day-to-day life, to feel connected to him in some small way, but deep down, she knew it was more than that. Each scroll, each check-in on his profile, only seemed to fuel her fears. She couldn't help herself. She searched through his posts, reading the captions, looking for any hint of a shift in his life or someone else who might have caught his attention.

She noticed the photos he posted from his meetings, the updates on his travels, and the smiling faces of the people he met. Sometimes, there were comments from women-friendly, harmless comments, she told herself—but a cold lump would form in her throat every time. What if one of them is more than just a colleague? she thought. What if he's starting to connect with someone else? Her thoughts spiraled, and the irrational fear crept in, taking root in the pit of her stomach.

Then came the messages to his personal assistant—questions that slipped from her fingers before she could stop them: What's Ian doing today? Who is he meeting with? How late is his schedule tonight? Every answer felt like a temporary fix, soothing the anxiety in her chest, yet only deepening the insecurity that had started to take hold. She was constantly asking for updates, checking in like a shadow, needing to know every detail of Ian's day, but she couldn't stop herself.

Does he miss me? Is he thinking of me? Is he meeting someone else?

She hated herself for not trusting him, for letting her fears overshadow the love they shared, but the doubt kept gnawing at her, like a relentless echo in her mind.

One afternoon, after receiving an update from Ian's assistant on his whereabouts, Isabella stared at her phone, her heart sinking. What was I doing? she asked herself, the truth settling uncomfortably in her chest. I've turned into someone I never wanted to be. She had been watching Ian's every move, doubting him, doubting them, and now she was drowning in the weight of her own suspicions.

When Ian called that evening, she tried to keep her voice light. She told him about her day, about how she'd spent hours working on a project, and how her friends had invited her out for dinner, but her thoughts kept drifting. She could barely focus on what he was saying, as if something were pulling her attention away. She wanted to believe him, but something inside her kept asking, What if I'm not enough for him? What if he's meeting someone else?

The conversation ended far too soon, and once again, Isabella found herself alone with her thoughts. The loneliness felt heavier now, amplified by the overwhelming fear that she couldn't push away. She found herself scrolling through Ian's profile again, reading every comment, every photo, trying to find some piece of reassurance. But each new post seemed to reinforce her insecurities. How long is he going to be gone? How much longer can we keep this up?