Emily closed the door of her apartment and leaned her forehead against it.
Her heart was still racing.
She slid down slowly until she was sitting on the floor, hugging her knees.
What almost happened?
She could still feel it—
Ethan's closeness.
His hesitation.
The way he looked at her, like she was the only thing in the room.
That look hadn't been professional.
It hadn't been casual.
It had been familiar.
Dangerously familiar.
Emily pressed her fingers against her lips.
This can't happen again, she told herself.
He was her boss.
He had a life.
And Amanda…
Amanda was kind. Smart. Everything Emily respected.
Emily stood and walked to the window, staring at the city lights.
Years ago, she had waited for Ethan to come back.
She had defended him.
She had believed.
And he still left.
Her phone buzzed.
A message.
Ethan: Are you okay?
She stared at the screen, her chest tightening.
A thousand answers crossed her mind.
I miss you.
Why did you leave me?
Why now?
She typed.
Then erased it.
Finally, she replied:
Emily: I'm fine. Please don't message me like that again.
The message sent.
Immediately, regret followed.
She turned off her phone and closed her eyes.
Because the truth scared her.
She wasn't confused about Ethan.
She was confused about herself.