Chapter 10: Ethan’s Ultimatum

The days following her escape from Michael were both a relief and a challenge for Amelia. Staying at Liam's apartment provided her with a sense of security she hadn't felt in a long time, but the trauma of what she had endured lingered, casting a shadow over every moment of peace she tried to find.

Liam was patient with her, never pushing her to talk about what had happened unless she was ready. He focused on making her feel comfortable, giving her space when she needed it and offering quiet companionship when the silence became too much. It was a delicate balance, one that Liam seemed to handle effortlessly, and for that, Amelia was grateful.

But even as she started to feel safer, Amelia knew she couldn't stay hidden forever. The real world was still out there, with all its complications and uncertainties, and Michael wasn't the type to let go easily. The thought of him finding her, of what he might do, kept her on edge, no matter how secure Liam's apartment felt.

One afternoon, while Liam was out running errands, Amelia sat on the couch, flipping through a magazine in an attempt to distract herself. The sunlight streamed through the windows, casting a warm glow over the room, but Amelia couldn't shake the feeling of unease that had settled in her chest.

Her thoughts were interrupted by the sound of her phone buzzing on the coffee table. She had left it off for days, only turning it on to check in with her boss and let her know she was taking some time off. The sight of the screen lighting up now sent a jolt of anxiety through her, but when she saw the name on the caller ID, she felt a different kind of shock.

Ethan Blake.

Amelia stared at the name for a moment, her mind racing. She hadn't spoken to Ethan in months, not since he had distanced himself from her life. His sudden call felt like a lifeline, but also a complication she wasn't sure she was ready for.

Taking a deep breath, Amelia answered the call, her voice tentative. "Ethan?"

"Amelia," Ethan's voice was warm, but there was an undercurrent of concern. "I've been trying to reach you for days. Are you okay?"

Amelia swallowed hard, the emotions she had been holding back threatening to overwhelm her. "I'm… I'm okay," she managed to say, though the words felt like a lie. "How did you know?"

"Liam told me," Ethan said gently. "He's worried about you. So am I."

Amelia closed her eyes, the mention of Liam's name bringing a mix of comfort and guilt. She hadn't told Liam much about her past with Ethan, but she had sensed the tension whenever she mentioned him. Now, with Ethan reaching out, that tension was bound to come to a head.

"I'm safe," Amelia said quietly. "Liam's been taking care of me."

"Good," Ethan replied, relief evident in his voice. "But Amelia, we need to talk. I'm coming over."

Amelia's heart skipped a beat. "Ethan, I don't know if that's a good idea. Things are… complicated."

"I know they are," Ethan said firmly, his tone leaving no room for argument. "But I can't just sit back and do nothing. Not anymore."

Amelia hesitated, the fear of facing Ethan in person mixing with the comfort of knowing he cared. She had once felt something for him, something deep and real, but the distance and the complications with Michael had driven them apart. Now, with everything that had happened, she wasn't sure what to feel anymore.

"Okay," she said finally, her voice barely above a whisper. "You can come over."

"I'll be there soon," Ethan promised before hanging up.

Amelia set the phone down, her hands trembling slightly. She didn't know what to expect from this meeting, or how Liam would react, but she knew that avoiding Ethan would only make things worse. She had to face this, just as she had to face the reality of her situation with Michael.

A little while later, there was a knock on the door, and Amelia's heart raced as she opened it to find Ethan standing there. He looked much the same as she remembered—tall, composed, with that steady presence that had once made her feel so secure. But there was a new intensity in his eyes, a determination that both comforted and unsettled her.

"Amelia," he said softly, his gaze searching hers as he stepped inside. "It's good to see you."

Amelia managed a small smile, though her nerves were still on edge. "You too, Ethan. It's been a while."

Ethan nodded, his expression serious as he closed the door behind him. "I wish it were under better circumstances."

They stood in awkward silence for a moment, the weight of everything unsaid hanging between them. Finally, Ethan broke the silence, his voice gentle but firm. "Amelia, Liam told me what happened with Michael. I'm so sorry you went through that."

Amelia looked down, the mention of Michael's name sending a shiver down her spine. "I didn't know what else to do," she admitted, her voice trembling. "I felt so trapped."

"You're not trapped anymore," Ethan said, his voice filled with conviction. "You're free, Amelia. And I'm here to help you stay that way."

Amelia looked up, meeting his gaze, the sincerity in his eyes making her chest tighten. "Ethan… I don't know what to do. I'm scared. I'm so scared."

Ethan took a step closer, his hand reaching out to gently cup her cheek. "You don't have to be scared anymore," he said softly. "I'm here now. I should have been here sooner, but I'm here now, and I'm not going anywhere."

The warmth of his touch, the tenderness in his voice—it was all so different from what she had endured with Michael. But even as she felt a flicker of hope, a part of her was still guarded, still afraid to trust too easily.

"What about Liam?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper. "He's been so good to me. He's… he's helped me so much."

Ethan's expression softened, but there was a flash of something in his eyes—something that hinted at the complicated feelings he had for Liam. "I'm grateful to him for that," Ethan said carefully. "But I need to know, Amelia… where do we stand? Where do you stand?"

Amelia's heart raced, the question forcing her to confront the very thing she had been avoiding. She cared about Liam, deeply, but the connection she had once had with Ethan was still there, lingering in the back of her mind, complicating everything.

"I don't know," she admitted, her voice breaking. "I don't know what to feel, or what to think. Everything is so… confusing."

Ethan nodded, his hand dropping from her cheek as he took a step back, giving her space. "I understand," he said quietly. "But I need you to know that I'm here for you, Amelia. Whatever you need, whatever you decide—I'm here."

Amelia's eyes filled with tears, the weight of his words pressing down on her. She didn't want to hurt anyone, least of all Liam, but she also couldn't deny the unresolved feelings she had for Ethan. The guilt, the fear, the uncertainty—it all felt too overwhelming.

"I need time," she whispered, her voice trembling. "I just need time to figure this out."

Ethan's expression was pained, but he nodded, respecting her need for space. "Take all the time you need," he said gently. "But please, promise me you won't go back to him. Promise me you'll stay safe."

"I promise," Amelia said, the words coming out more as a plea than a declaration.

Ethan took a deep breath, his gaze lingering on her for a moment longer before he finally stepped back. "I'll give you time," he said softly. "But I won't wait forever, Amelia. You need to make a choice—before it's too late."

With that, Ethan turned and walked to the door, leaving Amelia standing there, her heart heavy with the weight of everything unsaid. As the door closed behind him, she felt a wave of guilt and confusion wash over her.

But before she could process her emotions, she heard the sound of another key in the lock, and her heart skipped a beat as Liam entered the apartment. He looked from her to the closed door, his expression hardening as he realized who had just been there.

"Ethan was here," he said, his voice tight.

Amelia nodded, her stomach twisting with anxiety. "He… he wanted to make sure I was okay."

Liam's eyes narrowed, a flicker of hurt flashing across his face. "And what did you tell him?"

"I told him I needed time," Amelia replied, her voice small. "I told him I didn't know what to do."

Liam's expression softened slightly, but the tension in the room was palpable. "And do you know what you want, Amelia?" he asked, his voice quieter now. "Do you know who you want?"

Amelia's breath caught in her throat, the question forcing her to confront the very thing she had been avoiding. She looked into Liam's eyes, seeing the worry, the care, the deep feelings he had for her. But she also felt the pull of the past, of the unresolved feelings she had for Ethan.

"I don't know," she whispered, her voice breaking. "I'm so confused, Liam. I care about you—I really do. But everything with Ethan… it's all so complicated."

Liam nodded, though there was a sadness in his eyes that made her chest ache. "I won't pressure you, Amelia," he said gently. "I just want you to be happy, to be safe. But I need to know if there's still a place for me in your life—or if I'm just someone who's here to help you heal."

The weight of his words hit Amelia like a ton of bricks. She didn't want to hurt Liam, didn't want to lose the connection they had built. But she also couldn't ignore the unresolved feelings she had for Ethan, the complicated emotions that had been reignited by his return.

"I need time," she said again, her voice trembling. "I just… I need time to figure this out."

Liam looked at her for a long moment, his expression unreadable. Then, finally, he nodded. "Take the time you need," he said quietly. "But know that I'm here for you, no matter what."

Amelia felt tears welling up in her eyes as she watched him walk away, the uncertainty and guilt weighing heavily on her heart. She was caught between two men, two lives, and she didn't know how to move forward without hurting someone she cared about.

But even as she wrestled with her emotions, the shadow of Michael loomed in the back of her mind. He wasn't going to let her go easily, and she knew that whatever choice she made, it wouldn't be without consequences.

She was standing at a crossroads, with no clear path forward, and the weight of that decision pressed down on her like a heavy burden.

But she knew one thing for certain: she couldn't run forever. Sooner or later, she would have to face her past, confront her feelings, and make a choice—one that would determine the course of her future.

And she could only hope that, when the time came, she would have the strength to do what was right, not just for herself, but for everyone involved.