The rain fell relentlessly outside, mirroring her sense of isolation. Amelia sat at the window, watching the droplets race down the glass, like tiny runners trying to escape the prison of her thoughts. The house felt eerily quiet—too quiet. Only the low hum of the refrigerator and the soft whispers of the storm filled the void that used to resonate with laughter.
Ethan, her husband, hadn’t returned home once again. This had turned into a routine she never signed up for, a silent heartbreak that seemed to grow heavier with each passing night. She still reminisced about the beginning of their marriage—how he’d call her every hour just to say, “I miss you.” Now, she couldn’t even recall the last time he said her name with any warmth.
Amelia pulled her sweater around her a bit tighter. She used to find joy in the rain. Now, it only served as a reminder of the promises they’d made—the ones that had long since washed away.
“Maybe he’s just busy,” she murmured, trying to reassure herself. But deep down, she knew the truth.
The clock ticked loudly in the living room, every second feeling like a taunt. 8:17 p.m. She glanced at her phone yet again—no message. No call. Just silence.
Then her phone buzzed, causing her heart to leap. But it was just a text from her best friend, Clara.
- Clara: “Still no Ethan?”
Amelia typed out a response slowly.
- Amelia: “No. Guess he’s working late…again.”
- Clara: “Working late or is someone keeping him busy?”
Amelia sighed. Clara always voiced the thoughts that Amelia was too afraid to admit. She typed and deleted a response, before finally settling on sending a single emoji—💔
Hours later, the rain had eased up, and Amelia found herself pacing the living room. The scent of burnt coffee lingered in the air from earlier—a reminder of her attempt to distract herself.
On the shelf, there was a picture frame of her and Ethan, smiling on their honeymoon in Santorini. She reached out and lightly touched the glass, tracing his face with her fingertip.
“Where did we go wrong?” she murmured.
A soft knock startled her. Her heart raced. Could it be him?
But when she opened the door, it wasn’t Ethan. It was Liam, their neighbor from next door. He stood there, soaked through, with a broken umbrella and an apologetic smile.
“Hey,” he said, his voice light and teasing. “Sorry to intrude. My power’s out again, and I remembered you mentioned having some candles?”
Amelia hesitated for a moment, then nodded. “Yeah. Come on in.”
Liam stepped inside, water dripping from his jacket. His presence brought an unexpected warmth to the chilly air. He was younger than Ethan, playful, with a grin that seemed to ease her carefully constructed calm.
“Nice place,” he said, glancing around. “You’ve got that cozy, mysterious novelist vibe going on.”
She let out a light chuckle. “If only I had a good story to share.”
“Oh, I don’t know,” he teased, “I think there’s one in the works: lonely woman, stormy night, charming neighbor without electricity…”
Amelia laughed—a genuine laugh that had been buried under sadness for too long. “You’re impossible.”
“I’m just trying to get you to smile.”
Their eyes met for a moment that lingered too long. The warmth that flooded her made her nervous. She quickly turned away, pretending to search for the candles.
“Here,” she said, handing him a small box. “You can take these.”
“Only if you promise to share a cup of coffee with me tomorrow morning,” he replied, his tone gentle yet firm.
Amelia froze, unsure of how to respond. It wasn’t exactly a date, but it wasn’t nothing, either.
“I’ll think about it,” she said softly.
He smiled. “That’s all I ask.”
When he left, the atmosphere felt lighter—less burdensome, almost alive. Amelia sank back down, her thoughts swirling. For the first time in months, her heart raced not from pain, but from a mix of confusion and something else.
She poured herself another cup of coffee, whispering to the empty room, “What am I doing?”
---
The next morning, sunlight streamed through the curtains, and she hadn’t realized how long she’d been awake. Her phone buzzed again—it was a message from Ethan.
- Ethan: “Going on a business trip for a week. Don’t wait up.”
No apology. No warmth. Just cold words.
Her chest tightened. She wanted to cry, but no tears came. Instead, she dressed quietly, brushed her hair, and studied her reflection in the mirror. For the first time, she didn’t see a wife—but a woman who was tired of waiting.
The coffee maker hissed in the kitchen. She poured two cups.
Just then, the doorbell rang.
“Morning,” Liam said, wearing that same easy grin. “Told you I’d be back for that coffee.”
Amelia paused for a moment… then smiled. “Come in.”
As they settled in together, the silence between them wasn’t empty—it was filled with possibility. She didn’t know what was coming next, but one thing was clear:
The cold had finally started to thaw.
Cliffhanger:
Her phone buzzed—Ethan calling.
She froze, staring at the name.
One decision tonight could change everything… forever.
💬 Comment Question:
Should Amelia answer Ethan’s call… or let it ring? 💔
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