That night was the longest night of Elara's life. She paced around the house that suddenly felt so large and empty. Every corner reminded her of David—their wedding photo on the wall, the birthday gifts he had given her, even the scent of his perfume still lingering in the air.
She entered Alisha's room where her daughter was sound asleep. Looking at her innocent daughter, Elara's chest tightened. How could she choose between preserving the family they had built and following her heart that still called out Kael's name?
She picked up her phone. Her finger opened the messaging app, hovering between two contacts: "David My Love" and "Kael".
To David, she wanted to type: I choose you. I choose us.
But could she keep that promise?Could she truly forget Kael after everything that had happened?
To Kael, she wanted to type: I can't live without you.
But what were the consequences?Losing David? Disrupting Alisha's life? Destroying everything they had built?
At 2 AM, in desperation, she typed a message to Erica: I can't choose.
Erica replied instantly: If you can't choose, that means you've already chosen. You're choosing not to decide, and that's the same as choosing to remain in this situation—hurting everyone.
Erica's message was like a slap. Elara realized that by not choosing, she was actually choosing to hurt both men—and herself.
She remembered David's words: "Alisha is also part of this choice."
She remembered Clara's face, strong despite being hurt.
She remembered Kael's promise:"I'm still the same, Elara."
And finally, she remembered herself ten years ago—the young girl who chose safety over love. And now, she was faced with the same choice.
With teary eyes, she began typing. Not to David, nor to Kael. But a message to herself:
Today, I must be honest. I love David because he gives me security. But I love Kael because he makes me feel alive. Which is more important? Living in empty certainty, or living in meaningful uncertainty?
She deleted the message. No words could answer her question.
As dawn began to break, Elara was still sitting on the bathroom floor, her tears had dried, but her confusion remained just as deep.
She heard a car outside. David had returned for her answer.
Elara's heart raced. She stood up, looking at her pale face in the mirror. This was it. She had to choose.
But as she walked to the living room, seeing David standing there with a tired and hopeful face, all her words disappeared.
"I..." Elara took a deep breath. "I..."
And at that moment, her phone rang. The screen showed "Kael".
David saw the phone, and his face shattered. "Answer it," he said in a hollow voice. "It seems your choice is already clear."