Twisted Vows

chapter 7 : the weight of a choice

Ethan wandered aimlessly after leaving Samantha's house, the cold night air biting at his skin. His heart felt heavy, and his thoughts were a jumbled mess. He had come to a point where he knew that no matter what choice he made, someone would get hurt. Samantha had been his anchor for so long, yet Olivia still had a hold on his heart. Could he really choose between them?The streets were quiet as he walked, the distant hum of the city fading into the background. Ethan found himself at the café where he'd first met Samantha. He remembered that day vividly—how she'd smiled at him, how their conversation had flowed so easily. She'd been a light in the darkness, and for a while, he'd thought he could build a life with her. But now, that life was crumbling.Taking a seat at one of the outside tables, Ethan rested his head in his hands. He was exhausted, not just physically but emotionally. He thought back to Olivia, to the years they'd spent together before everything went wrong. Her sudden departure had shattered him, and though he had tried to move on, her reappearance in his life had reopened old wounds he hadn't even realized were still there.His phone buzzed in his pocket, jolting him from his thoughts. It was a message from Olivia.**"I'm in town for a few more days. If you want to talk, let me know."**Ethan stared at the message, his mind racing. A part of him wanted to see her, to understand why she had come back now, after all this time. But he also knew that seeing Olivia again would only make things more complicated.He didn't have much time to think about it, though, because his phone buzzed again—this time, it was Samantha.**"We need to talk. I've made a decision."**Ethan's heart sank. Whatever decision Samantha had made, he feared it wasn't good news for him. With a deep breath, he stood up and began walking, his feet carrying him back toward their house. He wasn't ready for this conversation, but he knew he couldn't avoid it any longer.When he arrived, Samantha was waiting for him in the living room. She looked tired but resolute, her arms crossed as she stood near the window. The sight of her made Ethan's stomach twist with guilt. He didn't want to lose her, but he also couldn't deny the turmoil Olivia's return had caused."I thought about everything," Samantha said quietly, her eyes locking onto his. "And I've come to a conclusion."Ethan nodded, his mouth dry. "What is it?"Samantha let out a long sigh, her expression softening slightly. "I love you, Ethan. I always have. But I can't keep living in limbo like this. I need someone who is all in—who is sure of me and our life together. I don't want to be your second choice, and I can't wait for you to figure things out while you're torn between me and Olivia."Her words cut deep, and Ethan felt a knot tighten in his chest. He wanted to tell her that he was ready to commit, that he'd choose her without hesitation. But the truth was, he still wasn't sure."I know I've put you through a lot," he began, struggling to find the right words. "And I'm sorry. I never wanted things to get this complicated."Samantha nodded, her face a mix of sadness and understanding. "I know you didn't. But that doesn't change the fact that they are."Ethan stepped closer, reaching for her hand, but she pulled back. The distance between them felt larger than ever."I'm not asking you to choose me right now," Samantha continued, her voice steady. "I'm asking you to take the time you need to figure out what you really want. But I can't stay in this house with you while you're still undecided. I deserve better than that."Her words hit him like a punch to the gut. Ethan had always known that Samantha was strong, but seeing her stand up for herself like this made him realize just how much he had taken her for granted."What does this mean for us?" he asked, his voice barely above a whisper.Samantha looked down for a moment before meeting his eyes again. "It means I'm leaving. I'm going to stay with my sister for a while. I think we both need space to figure out what we want."Ethan's heart dropped. He didn't want her to leave, but he knew she was right. They couldn't keep going in circles like this. He had to make a choice, and until he did, they couldn't move forward."I understand," he said softly. "But I don't want to lose you, Sam."Samantha gave him a sad smile. "You won't lose me, Ethan. Not completely. But I can't stay in this limbo. You need to make your choice, and I need to take care of myself in the meantime."There was a long silence between them, the weight of the situation sinking in. Ethan felt like everything was slipping through his fingers, and there was nothing he could do to stop it."When will you be back?" he asked, his voice cracking with emotion."I don't know," Samantha admitted. "It depends on you. When you've made up your mind, we can talk. But until then, I think it's best if we have some distance."Ethan nodded, his throat tight with emotion. He wanted to beg her to stay, to promise her that he would choose her, but the truth was, he still didn't know what his heart wanted.Samantha stepped forward and placed a gentle kiss on his cheek. "Take care of yourself, Ethan. And please, figure out what you really want."With that, she grabbed her suitcase and headed for the door. Ethan watched her go, feeling more lost than ever. The woman who had been his rock, his support through all his struggles, was walking out of his life, and he wasn't sure if she would ever come back.As the door closed behind her, Ethan stood there in silence, the weight of his decision pressing down on him. He had to choose. He couldn't keep living in the past and the present at the same time.But what if, in trying to make a choice, he ended up losing both of them?