Chapter Forty: The Uninvited Storm

Mia's heart pounded in her chest as she walked away from Sophie, her pulse quickening with every step. She had no idea why she felt so defensive, so protective of something that wasn't even under threat. But there was something about Sophie's presence that rattled her in a way she couldn't quite explain. The woman had a magnetic energy that drew people in—and Mia wasn't sure she could trust it.

As she made her way back to the cottage, the sunset painted the sky in brilliant hues of orange and pink, but the beauty around her was lost on Mia. All she could think about was the way Sophie had looked at Adrian earlier—like she was marking territory, like she wanted him back.

She tried to shake the thoughts away as she approached their front door, hoping to clear her head before Adrian got back. But as she stepped inside, she was met with a startling sight.

Adrian was sitting on the couch, his face pale and his expression tense. His phone was in his hand, and there was an unreadable look on his face. Mia stopped in her tracks, a cold wave of unease washing over her.

"Adrian?" she asked softly, her voice betraying her concern.

He looked up, blinking as if snapping out of a trance. "Mia… we need to talk."

Her heart dropped at his tone, and she felt the knot of dread in her stomach tighten. "About what?"

Adrian stood up, taking a step toward her. "It's about Sophie."

Mia's stomach churned. She had been dreading this conversation. "What about her?"

Adrian hesitated for a moment, as if searching for the right words. "I didn't want to bring this up, but I think it's time you knew the whole story."

Mia's pulse quickened. She nodded, willing herself to stay calm despite the rising storm inside her.

Adrian let out a deep sigh and ran a hand through his hair. "Sophie wasn't just some college friend. She was… she was someone I was involved with a long time ago."

Mia's heart lurched, and she took a step back, suddenly feeling lightheaded. "Involved with?" she echoed, her voice barely above a whisper.

Adrian grimaced. "It was a short, complicated relationship. We were young, and I made a lot of mistakes. I… I thought I could get over her, but when I left town, I never really closed that chapter properly."

Mia's mind raced. Was this the truth? Was there more she didn't know? Her hands trembled as she held onto the back of a chair for support. "And now she's here," Mia said, her voice tinged with bitterness. "After all this time, she just shows up, and I'm supposed to believe that you're over her?"

Adrian's expression softened, regret filling his eyes. "Mia, I'm so sorry. I never meant to hurt you. I thought we could start fresh here—leave the past behind. But I realize now that I should have told you about Sophie sooner."

Mia shook her head, a mix of confusion and hurt washing over her. "You didn't think I should know that a woman you were once in love with is still around? You think I wouldn't have found out eventually?"

Adrian stepped forward, his voice pleading. "I wasn't trying to hide anything, Mia. I just wanted us to have a clean slate. But I see now how wrong I was."

Mia couldn't meet his eyes. She felt betrayed—not because he had been with Sophie in the past, but because he had kept it from her. It felt like he had let the past linger, unspoken, like an open wound that they were trying to ignore.

"You should have told me," Mia said quietly, her voice breaking. "I could have handled it, Adrian. But now it feels like you've been keeping secrets from me."

Adrian's face crumpled with regret, but before he could respond, the sound of the doorbell cut through the tension in the room. Both of them froze.

Mia's heart skipped a beat. She knew exactly who it was.

Sophie.

Adrian turned toward the door, clearly conflicted. "I should go talk to her," he said quietly, his words more to himself than to Mia.

"No." Mia's voice was firm, and she stepped in front of him, blocking his path. "I don't want her here. Not now. Not after everything you've just told me."

Adrian opened his mouth to protest, but Mia held up her hand, silencing him. "You need to figure this out. I need some space."

She didn't wait for a response. Without another word, Mia turned and left the cottage, her footsteps echoing in the stillness of the evening. The cool breeze hit her face as she walked away from Adrian and Sophie, not knowing where she was going but needing to escape the suffocating tension in the house.

As she walked down the winding path that led to the beach, the waves crashing softly in the distance, she tried to make sense of everything. She had always known relationships weren't simple, but this—this was a storm she hadn't expected. Sophie had come back into Adrian's life, and now Mia had to contend with feelings she didn't want to acknowledge.

She could feel the weight of the decision hanging over her. Adrian had apologized, and yet she couldn't shake the feeling that Sophie was going to complicate everything.

After walking for what felt like hours, Mia found herself at the edge of the water, the cool sand between her toes. She stared out at the horizon, feeling more lost than ever.

The sound of footsteps approached from behind, and Mia turned to find Adrian standing a few feet away, his expression filled with concern.

"Mia, please. Let me explain," Adrian called softly.

Mia stood silently for a moment, the uncertainty swirling in her chest. But she didn't move toward him. Instead, she shook her head. "I don't know if I can do this, Adrian."

Adrian's eyes widened in shock. "What do you mean?"

Mia took a deep breath, trying to steady herself. "I need time to think. I need to figure out what I want. And right now, I don't know if I can be in a relationship where I don't feel like I'm a priority."

Adrian took a hesitant step forward, reaching out toward her. "Mia, don't do this. I care about you. You're the one I want."

Mia swallowed hard, her chest tightening. "I need space, Adrian. I can't be in the middle of this anymore."

Adrian's face fell, but he nodded slowly. "Okay. I understand."

Without another word, Mia turned and walked away, her heart heavy with the weight of the decision she had just made. She didn't know what the future held, but she knew that for now, she needed to find herself—away from Adrian, away from Sophie, and away from the uncertainty that had begun to feel like a suffocating cloud.