Twisted Vows

chapter 9 : torn between two hearts

The days following Ethan's midnight meeting with Olivia felt like a waking dream. He kept replaying the conversation over and over in his mind, every word and look weighing heavily on his heart. The revelation of why Olivia had left—the threats from her parents—had filled in gaps that had haunted him for years. But instead of bringing him peace, the truth had only deepened the turmoil within him.Back at home, the emptiness Samantha left felt almost unbearable. Her things were still around the house, small reminders of the life they had built together. The quietness of the place, once peaceful, now seemed oppressive, a constant reminder that his indecision was pulling him further away from both women he cared for. He found himself wandering through the rooms, brushing his fingers over the framed photos on the walls, thinking of Samantha's laughter and the warmth of her presence. He missed her deeply, but Olivia's confession had reopened a part of his heart that he thought he'd closed off.One evening, as he tried to drown his thoughts in work, his phone rang. He hesitated, glancing at the screen. It was Samantha. For a moment, his heart leapt, hoping she had come back, ready to forgive him. But then he reminded himself that she had left to give them both space.Taking a steadying breath, he answered. "Samantha."There was a brief pause before she spoke. "Ethan... how are you?"The sound of her voice was both comforting and painful. He hadn't realized just how much he'd missed it. "I've been... managing. I miss you."There was another silence on her end, and he could almost picture her sitting somewhere, thinking carefully about her words. "I miss you too," she admitted softly. "But I also needed this time to think. I've been staying with my sister and trying to process everything."Ethan ran a hand through his hair, closing his eyes. "I understand, Sam. I just wish... I wish I could go back and undo all of this. I hate that I've hurt you."Samantha sighed. "I know, Ethan. And I don't doubt that you're torn. But that's what's making this so hard. You're still holding onto the past. I need to know that if we're going to make this work, you're all in—no lingering feelings, no regrets."Her words echoed in his mind, but before he could respond, Samantha spoke again."Ethan, I've given you space, and I'm not calling to pressure you," she continued, her voice steady yet filled with a quiet determination. "But I do need you to think about what you really want. I can't stay in limbo forever.""I understand," he replied, his heart sinking. He knew Samantha deserved better than to be his second choice, and yet his feelings were a mess he couldn't untangle overnight."I love you, Ethan," Samantha said, her voice breaking slightly. "But love can't survive on its own without commitment and trust. I hope you'll be able to figure out what you want before it's too late."The line went silent, and as Ethan put his phone down, he felt more conflicted than ever. Samantha's words replayed in his mind: *"I can't stay in limbo forever."* Later that night, Ethan sat in his living room, thinking back on the years he'd spent with Samantha, how she'd been by his side when everything seemed bleak. His relationship with Olivia had been intense, passionate, but it had also ended painfully. Samantha, on the other hand, had built him back up, made him believe in love and stability again. Yet the return of Olivia had resurrected a longing he couldn't simply bury.The next day, Ethan decided he couldn't keep waiting. He had to make a choice. He texted Samantha, asking to meet her, hoping that seeing her in person would give him clarity.When he arrived at her sister's house, Samantha met him at the door, her face calm but guarded. They sat down on the porch steps together, both of them quiet for a moment."Samantha," he began, struggling to find the right words. "I know you've been patient with me, more than I deserve. And I can't keep putting you through this. I realize now that you deserve someone who is certain about you, and I want to be that person."Samantha looked at him, her eyes filled with a mixture of hope and hesitation. "Are you sure, Ethan? I can't go through this again if you're still unsure."Ethan took her hands, meeting her gaze. "I know that my past with Olivia was intense, and it's something I couldn't let go of easily. But being without you, being apart—it made me realize that what we have is something I can't replace. You've been my rock, and I want to be here with you, building a life together."A small smile touched Samantha's lips, and she gave his hands a gentle squeeze. "Then let's take this one step at a time, Ethan. I don't need grand gestures or promises—just honesty and commitment."Ethan nodded, relief flooding over him. He knew this would take time, but he was willing to put in the work, to prove to Samantha that she was his future.As they sat there, Ethan felt a weight lift off his shoulders. The road ahead would be challenging, but he finally felt a sense of peace—a glimpse of the life he wanted to build. And he was ready to do whatever it took to make it last.