At First Sight: A Love That Couldn't Last

Chapter 20: Unexpected Encounters and Lingering Shadows

Tiara’s relationship with Robin felt stronger than ever, and her days seemed filled with a renewed joy. She was back to focusing on her studies and spending time with her friends, all while savoring the time she shared with him. Her phone now held fewer notifications, but the quiet felt right. She felt that things were back on track, as if she’d managed to lock away the confusion that had clouded her heart.

But despite her best intentions, the occasional sight of Ryan in class or on campus would cause her heart to skip a beat. It was never more than a fleeting moment—a quick glance, a slight wave, and then she would remind herself to look away. She could sense that Ryan had noticed her sudden distance, but he didn’t push her to reconnect, respecting the unspoken boundaries she had drawn.

One evening, Tiara was in the campus library, deeply immersed in her notes, when she looked up and saw Ryan a few tables away. He seemed focused on his work, yet when he noticed her glance, he gave a small, polite nod. She returned it with a smile, feeling the familiar tug of their old camaraderie. But she quickly lowered her gaze, determined to keep her focus.

However, as she walked toward the exit later, she felt a presence beside her and turned to see Ryan walking alongside her.

"Hey, Tiara," he said, his voice calm but his eyes searching hers. "You’ve been… distant."

Her heart raced, but she managed a soft reply. "I’ve just been busy with studies and… you know, things with Robin."

Ryan nodded, a faint smile touching his lips. "I get it. I just wanted to say I miss our talks, that’s all."

His words tugged at her, but she forced herself to stay grounded. "I miss them too, Ryan. But I’m trying to do what’s right."

He paused, looking at her intently. "Just… take care of yourself, okay?"

She nodded, sensing an unspoken understanding pass between them before he turned and walked away. The encounter left her feeling strangely hollow, as if she’d left a piece of herself behind.

That night, Tiara met up with Robin, trying to push the day’s events from her mind. They cooked dinner together in his apartment, laughing as they tossed ingredients into the pan, their hands brushing as they moved around the small kitchen. Robin seemed happier than she’d seen him in weeks, and his laughter was infectious. He was the love she had chosen, the person she was building her future with.

As they ate and talked, Robin reached across the table, taking her hand in his. “You make me happy, Tiara. I feel like we’re finally where we’re supposed to be.”

His words filled her with warmth, and she squeezed his hand in return, determined to focus on what they shared. But as the evening wore on, she couldn’t shake the image of Ryan’s face from her mind, his quiet disappointment and the unspoken bond they’d forged now lingering as a faint shadow.

In the privacy of her thoughts, she realized that even as she strengthened her relationship with Robin, she couldn’t fully escape the emotional connection she had with Ryan. It was a bond she knew she couldn’t act on, yet its presence loomed quietly, complicating the path she was trying to follow.