Twisted Vows

chapter 5 : torn between two

Ethan stood outside in the cold night air, his breath visible with each exhale. The weight of the bag over his shoulder felt lighter than the burden inside his chest. Samantha had asked him to leave, and now, for the first time since they married, Ethan was truly alone. He had always thought that marriage—his marriage to Samantha—was a way to solve his problems. But now, it felt like the beginning of new ones he didn't know how to handle.He found himself walking, not knowing where to go. His feet moved on instinct, but his mind was a jumbled mess of confusion and guilt. He ended up at a small park, the kind where families gathered during the day, now eerily empty under the streetlights. He sat down on a bench, his phone buzzing in his pocket. It was Olivia. He didn't answer, though every part of him wanted to. Seeing her again had stirred up emotions that had once defined his life, but it had also complicated everything beyond belief. Samantha was his wife, the woman who had supported him through his darkest times. How could he betray that trust?Ethan let out a frustrated sigh, running his hands through his hair. He had been trying to hold everything together, but now it felt like everything was crumbling, piece by piece.As he stared blankly at the ground, his phone buzzed again. This time, it was a message from Samantha.**"I hope you're okay. I just need some time. Don't shut me out."**Reading her words, Ethan's heart clenched. He couldn't afford to lose her. But there was no denying the hold Olivia still had on him, either. He had to face Olivia. He had to be honest, if not with her, then at least with himself.The next morning, Ethan found himself standing in front of the hotel where Olivia was staying. He had barely slept, his mind filled with Samantha's tearful face and Olivia's pleas from the café. The decision to come here had not been easy, but he knew he couldn't leave things unresolved any longer. He knocked on the door to her room, the sound echoing in the quiet hallway.After a moment, Olivia opened the door. She was dressed casually in jeans and a sweater, but her eyes lit up with surprise when she saw him. "Ethan," she breathed, stepping aside to let him in. "I didn't expect you so soon."Ethan entered the room, feeling the weight of the conversation that was about to unfold. He didn't sit down, though Olivia motioned to the couch. Instead, he stayed standing, arms crossed, eyes fixed on the floor."We need to talk," Ethan began, his voice serious. "About everything."Olivia's expression softened, and she nodded, walking over to him. "I know this is hard, Ethan. I know you're torn between me and Samantha. But I just want to know where you stand. Do you still love me? Or is there something between you and Samantha that I don't know about?"Ethan's mind swirled. Love. It was the question he had been avoiding, the one he hadn't fully asked himself. What was he feeling? And who was he feeling it for?"Olivia, I'm married," he said, his voice strained. "When you left, I didn't have a choice. I had to move on. And then I met Samantha. She was there for me when I had nothing."Olivia's eyes glistened with emotion, but she didn't back down. "I understand that. But it doesn't answer my question, Ethan. Do you love her? Or is it just about convenience?"Her words hit deep. Ethan felt torn apart by the truth he didn't know how to face. He was grateful to Samantha—more than grateful—but had he ever truly loved her? Or was it comfort and security that had drawn him to her after losing Olivia?"I care about Samantha," Ethan said, trying to find the right words. "She's been my rock. But..." His voice trailed off, and Olivia stepped closer."But you don't love her, do you?" Olivia whispered, her eyes searching his for an answer.Ethan opened his mouth to speak, but the words wouldn't come. He didn't know what the truth was anymore. Love wasn't as simple as it had once seemed. What he had with Olivia had been passionate, intense—but what he had with Samantha was steady, reliable. Did one mean more than the other?Olivia's hand reached for his, her touch familiar and warm. "Ethan, I still love you. I've never stopped. I was forced to leave, but that never changed how I felt about you. We can fix this... together."Her words sent a surge of old emotions crashing over him. The idea of rekindling what they had once shared was tempting. But then, Samantha's face flashed in his mind, the trust he had shattered, the woman who had stood by him despite everything."I don't know, Olivia," Ethan finally said, pulling his hand away gently. "I don't know if it's that simple anymore."Olivia's face fell, but she didn't cry. Instead, she stepped back, her eyes filled with a quiet understanding. "I get it. But I need you to make a choice, Ethan. You can't keep living in the past while you're with Samantha."Ethan nodded slowly, feeling the weight of her words. He knew she was right. He couldn't keep holding on to both of them—it wasn't fair to either woman."I'll figure it out," he promised, though the uncertainty in his own voice betrayed him. "I just need time."Olivia gave him a sad smile. "Take the time you need, Ethan. But don't wait too long. Some things can't be fixed if they're broken for too long."Ethan left the hotel with a heavy heart, his mind no clearer than when he had arrived. As he walked back to his temporary apartment, he realized that no matter which path he chose, someone would be hurt.And deep down, he wondered if he was already too late to fix any of it.