It wasn't long before Mia saw Ethan again. After a week of not hearing from him, their paths finally crossed. Ethan had always respected Mia's space, always understood when she needed time to think. But in this moment, his silence was both a blessing and a curse. The distance between them had only deepened her confusion, and Mia found herself longing for the comfort of his steady presence.
They met at the café they frequented on weekends, the same place where they had shared countless conversations over cups of coffee, where they had discussed everything and nothing all at once. Mia arrived early, hoping to have some time to gather her thoughts before Ethan showed up. Her heart was already beating faster, the weight of the upcoming conversation pressing heavily on her chest.
When Ethan walked in, his familiar face was a balm to her soul. There he was, standing in the doorway with that smile that had always made her feel safe. He was the man who had never let her down, the one who had stood by her through every difficult time. And yet, as she watched him approach, she couldn't help but notice how different he seemed. There was a certain distance in his eyes, a hesitation in his movements.
He sat down across from her, and for a moment, neither of them said anything. The silence between them was thick with unspoken words.
"Mia," Ethan finally said, his voice low, almost uncertain. "How have you been?"
Mia looked into his eyes, searching for the man she had always known. "I've been... okay," she replied, her voice betraying the uncertainty she felt. "I've just been thinking."
"About...?" he asked, though he already knew the answer.
She met his gaze. "About everything. About us." Ethan nodded slowly, his eyes flickering with something Mia couldn't quite place. "I've been thinking about that too. About where we stand. About what you need."
It was the first time in a while that Ethan had opened up so openly, and Mia realized just how much she had missed his vulnerability. He had always been the one who knew exactly what to say, who had never faltered when it came to supporting her. But now, there was something different about him. He was giving her the space she needed, and yet, it felt like a slow unraveling.
"I don't know if I'm the right one for you anymore, Mia," he said, his voice barely above a whisper. The words hit her like a punch to the gut. Ethan had always been the one who believed in them, who believed in their future. And now, here he was, questioning everything.
Mia's heart began to race. She opened her mouth to speak, but the words didn't come. She had no idea how to respond. All she knew was that Ethan, the steady, reliable man who had always been there for her, was now facing her with a look of uncertainty in his eyes.
"I'm sorry, Mia," he said softly. "I didn't mean to make you feel like this. I just... I just want you to be happy."
Tears pricked at the corners of Mia's eyes, and she quickly blinked them away. She had never seen Ethan like this before, and it only made her more certain of the choice she had to make.