Cecily did not expect to see Ethan again so soon.
She had told herself that last night was enough. One surprised meeting. One arranged meeting. One conversation. One reopening of wounds she had spent years stitching closed.
But it's like l life doesn't listen.
She was leaving the office building when she saw him.
He stood across the street, hands in his pockets, shoulders tense. Like someone unsure whether to stay or walk away. Indecision weighing heavily on his shoulder.
For a second, she wondered if she was imagining him.
Then he lifted his head.
Their eyes met.
Her breath caught. Her heart beating fast.
He crossed the street slowly, like he didn't want to scare her away.
"Cecily," he said when he was close enough.
She swallowed.
"Ethan."
They stood there, awkward and unsure, surrounded by strangers who didn't know their history.
"I didn't know you worked here," he said.
"I don't," she replied. "I was just sorting something out."
"Oh."
Silence followed.
He nodded, then hesitated.
"Can we talk?" he asked. His expression filled with hope.
She almost said no.
She should have said no.
But Atlas she didn't. For reasons she chose not to reason.
"Five minutes," she said. "That's all. Nothing more."
"That's enough," he replied quickly.
They walked to a small park nearby. It was quiet, with a few people sitting on benches, lost in their own thoughts.
They stopped near a tree.
Neither of them sat.
"I'm not here to cause trouble," Ethan said after a long pause.
"I just... I didn't sleep."
She looked away.
"Me neither."
She admitted softly.
He laughed softly.
"I guess that makes sense."
She folded her arms.
"You shouldn't be here."
"I know."
"Then why are you?"
"Because I saw something last night," he said. "And I can't pretend I didn't."
She looked at him then.
"What did you see?"
"You," he said simply. "Not the woman who left. The woman who waited."
Her chest tightened.
"That's not fair."
"I know," he repeated. "You keep saying that."
Cecily arrived at the airport earlier than planned.
She didn't want to rush. She didn't want to think. She just wanted to leave.
The city had already taken enough from her. Mentally, physically and emotionally.
She stood in line with her small suitcase beside her, staring straight ahead but seeing nothing. Her phone felt heavy in her hand.
She hadn't texted Ethan again.
She told herself it was for the best.
Her phone buzzed.
She didn't need to look to know who it was.
Liam.
She sighed and answered the call.
"Hey," she said.
"Hey," Liam replied. "You sound tired."
"I didn't sleep well," she said.
"Still at the hotel?"
"No. I'm at the airport."
There was a pause.
"You're early," he said.
"I wanted to avoid traffic."
Another pause.
"You okay?" he asked.
"Yes," she said quickly.
Too quickly.
"Just stressed."
"Work stuff?"
"Yes," she replied again.
Liam was quiet for a moment.
"You sure that's all?"
Her grip on the phone tightened.
"Yes, Liam."
"Okay," he said slowly.
"I'll see you tonight then."
"Yeah."
"I miss you," he added.
Her chest felt tight. And also feeling guilty.
"I miss you too," she said, even though the words felt strange in her mouth.
They hung up.
Cecily stared at the blank screen for a long time.
She felt like she had lied without actually saying a lie.
Liam noticed it the moment she walked through the door.
She smiled. She always did.
But this time it didn't reach her eyes.
"Hey," he said, standing up from the couch.
"Hey," Cecily replied.
He walked over and hugged her.
She hugged him back, but it felt stiff. Like she was somewhere else,and not here.
"You okay?" he asked again.
"Yes," she said.
He pulled back slightly and looked at her face.
"You keep saying that."
She forced a small laugh.
"Because it's true."
He didn't look convinced. But he didn't probe.
"You look tired."
"I am."
"Long trip?"
"Yes."
He nodded and stepped back.
"Do you want to eat? I ordered food."
"Later," she said. "I just want to shower."
"Okay."
She walked toward the bedroom.
Liam watched her go.
Something was off. Cause this wasn't the woman who he had known.
And he could feel it in his chest.
Later that night, they lay in bed.
The room was dark, quiet except for the sound of the fan.
Cecily lay on her side, facing away from him.
Liam stared at the ceiling.
"Cecily," he called softly.
"Yes?" she replied.
"Talk to me."
She sighed.
"About what?"
"About whatever is going on in your head."
She turned slightly.
"There's nothing going on."
"That's not true," he said. "You've been distant since you came back."
She was silent.
"I'm not accusing you," he added quickly. "I just… I know you. And this isn't you."
She swallowed.
"It was a hard trip," she said.
"Because of work?"
She hesitated.
"Yes."
He turned toward her.
"You're lying."
Her heart skipped.
"Why would you say that?"
"Because you don't lie well," he replied gently.
She sat up slowly.
"I don't want to fight."
"I don't either," he said. "
The next morning, Liam noticed immediately.
Not because Cecily said anything.
But because she was quiet.
Too quiet.
She moved around the apartment like she wasn't fully there.
"You okay?" he asked.
"Yes," she said.
It sounded automatic.
He watched her.
"You've been distant since you got back."
"I'm just tired."
"Tired doesn't usually look like this," he said gently.
She sighed.
"There's something I need to tell you."
His stomach tightened. He knew it.
She sat down across from him.
"I saw someone," she said.
"Who?"
"Someone from my past."
Liam nodded slowly.
"An ex."
"Yes."
"Did something happen?"
"No," she said quickly. "Nothing physical."
"That's not what I asked."
She hesitated.
"He matters," she admitted. "Or… he mattered."
Liam leaned back.
"How much?"
She rubbed her palms together.
"Enough to confuse me."
That hurt him.
He didn't even tried to hide it.
"So what does that mean for us?"
"I don't know," she said honestly.
He stood up.
"I need honesty, Cecily. Not confusion."
"I'm trying."
He exhaled.
"Are you still in love with him?"
The question scared her much more than she had expected.
She didn't answer.
And that was answer enough.