Chapter 4 The Heart Of The Storm

Maya stood in the gallery for a moment longer, her phone still clutched tightly in her hand, the message from Ethan burning in her mind. She could feel Liam's eyes on her, sensing the distance between them before she even took a step back. The weight of the moment was almost suffocating, the tension between them so thick it was hard to breathe.

"I should go," she said, finally breaking the silence. Her voice felt small, almost apologetic, and she instantly regretted it.

Liam didn't move at first, but his expression shifted. His eyes darkened slightly, and for a moment, Maya saw something in them that made her chest tighten-something that wasn't just desire, but a deeper emotion she couldn't quite place.

"You don't have to go," Liam said, his voice barely above a whisper, his gaze locking onto hers. "You don't have to run."

Her heart skipped a beat. The intensity in his voice, the rawness in his words, made her want to stay, made her want to let go of the weight of her responsibilities, her choices, and just be with him. But the pull of reality-the pull of Ethan-was too strong to ignore.

"I do," Maya replied, her words betraying the uncertainty that had plagued her for days. "I'm sorry, but I can't do this right now."

She turned away quickly, not daring to look back at him. Every step she took felt heavier than the last. The door to the gallery felt like a lifetime away, and the sound of her heels clicking against the floor was deafening in the silence that followed.

As she stepped out into the cool night air, the weight of the choice she was avoiding crashed down on her. Maya stood there for a moment, letting the breeze whip through her hair, her mind spinning. She hadn't expected it to be like this. She hadn't expected Liam to get under her skin the way he had.

But she couldn't deny the pull.

Her phone buzzed again, pulling her from her thoughts. It was Ethan.

"I'm here. Where are you?"

Maya let out a long breath. She wasn't ready to face him-not yet. The guilt, the confusion, the emotions that were swirling inside her felt like a storm she couldn't navigate. But she had to. For him. For everything they had built.

She typed a quick reply. "I'm on my way."

Thirty minutes later, Maya stood outside the familiar Italian restaurant where she and Ethan often met. The warmth from inside was a welcome contrast to the cold chill she still felt in her bones from the gallery. She took a deep breath before pushing open the door, instantly greeted by the inviting smell of garlic and fresh basil.

Ethan was already sitting at their usual table by the window, looking up as she walked in. His face broke into a smile, but Maya could see the concern hidden behind his eyes. He didn't ask where she had been, didn't question why she was late, but she could feel the unspoken words hanging between them.

"You okay?" Ethan asked gently, his voice low as she sat down.

Maya nodded, trying to smile. "Yeah. Just had a lot on my mind."

He didn't push it, though Maya could tell he was wondering what was really going on. The longer they sat in silence, the more she could feel the gap between them growing wider, even though they were in the same room.

As the waiter brought over their wine, Ethan reached across the table, his hand resting on hers. Maya's heart fluttered, but the ache in her chest deepened. She wasn't sure how to navigate the emotions swirling inside her. She wasn't sure how to navigate any of it anymore.

Later that night, after they finished dinner, Ethan walked her to her apartment, just like he always did. The night air was crisp, and Maya felt the coolness on her skin, but it didn't do anything to calm the heat rising within her.

"Thanks for tonight," she said, keeping her voice soft, but her mind was miles away. She couldn't stop thinking about Liam-about the way he had looked at her, the way he had made her feel. But she couldn't tell Ethan any of that. She didn't even know how to begin.

"Of course," Ethan replied, his voice tender, as he paused outside her door. "Maya, I know something's been bothering you. You know you can talk to me, right?"

The sincerity in his eyes hit her harder than she expected. Ethan had always been there, always willing to listen. But could she tell him the truth? Could she tell him about the pull she felt toward Liam, about the confusion that clouded her judgment?

Before she could respond, Ethan stepped closer, leaning in to kiss her forehead. The gesture was sweet, comforting, but it only made the storm in her chest intensify.

Maya closed her eyes for a moment, wishing she could just let go of everything, just let the world fall away. But she couldn't. She had to make a choice. She had to choose.

"I'll talk to you soon," she said, stepping back slightly, her voice soft and uncertain.

Ethan didn't push her. Instead, he nodded, his expression gentle. "I'm here, Maya. Whenever you're ready."

With one last look, he turned and walked away, leaving Maya standing in the doorway, the weight of the world pressing down on her shoulders.

She stepped inside, locking the door behind her, but she knew that no matter how many times she closed the door on the outside world, it would never feel like she could escape the battle raging inside her.

And as the night grew darker, she knew she couldn't run from her feelings for much longer.