Amara spent the entire night staring at the ceiling as Selene's smile is flashed back in her mind.
It wasn't cruel it's just what unsettled her most. There had been no sharpness in Selene's eyes, no hostility in her voice. If anything, she had been kind and Observant. The kind of woman who noticed things others missed and stored them carefully.
By morning, Amara felt exhausted in a way sleep could not fix her happiness.
Her phone buzzed just as she was about to leave for class.
Coffee today? Selene texted. I'll be on campus around noon.
Amara closed her eyes briefly.
Yes, she replied, "Noon is fine"
The cafe was quieter than usual when she arrived and Selene was already seated by the window, dressed simply, her hair pulled back neatly without the formal setting, she looked younger, softer, almost approachable.
"Amara," Selene said warmly as she stood. "Thank you for coming"
"Thank you for inviting me" Amara replied.
They ordered drinks and sat across from each other, a small table separating two very different lives connected by one handsome man.Selene stirred her coffee slowly and said "You're probably wondering why I asked to see you right".
Amara nodded a little
"I prefer honesty cause It makes things easier" Amara said politely.
Amara's hands tightened in her lap.
"Nathaniel has always been predictable" Selene continued. Responsible and Controlled that when he becomes unsettled, I always notice.
Amara swallowed and said "I never meant to cause trouble either"
"I know and that's why I'm here" said by Amara.
The words surprised her.
"I don't think you planned to fall for him either and I don't think he planned to fall for you" Selene said politely.
Amara's chest ached and said, "He told me about the arrangement and engagement".
Selene's eyes flickered briefly. "Then you know the truth".
"Yes and I know where I stand" said by Amara
Selene studied her for a long moment and said to her, "Do you?"
The question lingered between them.
"I married Nathaniel because it was expected," Selene said again, we made a promise to respect each other, even if love never came.
Amara looked up with a startled eye and said"You speak as if it hasn't"
Selene smiled faintly saying "Love is complicated and It doesn't always arrive where it's planted"
The honesty in her voice made Amara's throat tighten.
"I won't ask you to leave," Selene said. "That would be unfair. But I will ask you to be careful. Whatever happens next will have consequences beyond the three of us
Amara nodded slowly and said she doesn't want to hurt anyone neither does she want to kill her self.
Selene reached across the table briefly, touching Amara's hand saying "Then listen to your instincts because they're stronger than you think".
When they parted, Amara felt both lighter and heavier bey she hav't been threatened this way before neither have she been warned. And somehow, that made the choice ahead of her even harder.
Later that day, Nathaniel found Amara standing near the library steps, lost in thought.
"She spoke to you," he said, not needing confirmation.
"Yes"
He exhaled , "What did she say?"
"That she sees everything," Amara replied honestly and broken.
A sad smile touched his lips. "That sounds like Selene right"
They stood in silence.
"I don't want you caught in this," he said finally.
"It's too late for that" she replied gently.
His gaze softened and said he never wanted to be the man who complicates her life"
"You didn't complicate it," she said rather You changed it.
The words hung between them, with a heavy meaning.
He reached out, brushing his thumb against her hand, a small, almost accidental touch that sent a quiet shiver through her.
"I'm trying to do the right thing," he said.
"I know," she replied. "Just don't forget what the right thing costs".
As they parted, Amara realized something with sudden clarity and choosing to stay was a decision, choosing to walk away was one too and whichever one she made, someone would lose something.