40. Chapter 40

Chapter 40

-Naomi-

R eese’s words ignited a flutter in my chest, reigniting the hope that he might belong to me alone. It felt selfish, knowing it would leave Rosa without him and might unleash unforeseen consequences. But the heart, stubbornly, wants what it wants, and mine yearned for Reese. I held his hand tighter, finding solace in our vulnerable moment, but I also noticed the pain etched in his features.

“Why does it have to be like this?” he murmured, his thumb tracing gentle circles on my skin.

“I don’t know,” I admitted softly.

“Tell me you haven’t given up,” he implored.

“I... I don’t even know what to feel.”

“Listen,” he began, his other hand finding its way to my neck. “I understand if Rosa’s words have shaken you, but I want you to know, I don’t want to just cast you aside.”

“But can we navigate this?” I questioned. “It’s already a labyrinth. We’re lost because we don’t even understand how we got here.”

“I know,” he sighed heavily.

“Reese, this is tearing you apart.”

“What do you suggest I do?”

“Maybe we should step back, create some distance between us, just to gain clarity?” I proposed, though I knew he despised that idea. “We need to untangle this mess.”

“But I don’t want distance,” he protested.

“Perhaps it’s what we need,” I insisted. “To truly try this time.”

“It won’t lead to anything good,” he argued.

“How can you be certain?”

“Because I feel more at ease in your presence than anywhere else!”

His words touched me, but I believed we needed this—needed to make a sincere effort. I reached out, brushing his cheek tenderly, before pulling away, gently extricating myself from his grasp.

“Naomi,” he called out.

“We have to give it a chance,” I insisted softly.

“For how long?” he pleaded.

“Just a few days.”

“No, I can’t,” his voice broke, dripping with desperation.

I drew nearer, pressing a gentle kiss to his lips.

“We need some time to think,” I explained, attempting to step away. But he caught my wrist, his eyes pleading, as if begging me not to leave.

“See you around,” I murmured, gently prying his fingers from my wrist. I glanced back, witnessing the conflict in his gaze, torn between wanting to follow me and letting me go. With a heavy heart, I walked away, deciding it was time to head home.

Yet, midway there, a sudden wave of pain and sorrow engulfed me, driving me to lean against a nearby tree. The anguish threatened to overwhelm me, and I sank to the ground, tears streaming down my cheeks. I couldn’t comprehend the depth of this despair, and despite my sobs, I couldn’t release the true agony brewing inside me. It gnawed at me relentlessly, fragmenting my spirit. What was happening to me?

Eventually, I managed to compose myself, though a hollow ache lingered within. I retreated to bed, enveloped by the eerie stillness of the house. Sleep eluded me, and I tossed and turned until the early hours of the morning. With the sunrise, I found myself devoid of the strength to rise, anchored to the bed by an invisible weight.

My mother, sensing my prolonged absence, ventured into my room. Our roles seemed to have reversed, but the bond between us remained undeniable.

“Naomi?” she called softly.

“I don’t want to talk,” I whispered.

“What’s wrong?”

“I can’t... I can’t get up,” I confessed, tears welling in my eyes.

Her gentle touch on my arm brought comfort as she moved to my side, offering solace.

“What happened?” she asked.

“I can’t share him, and I can’t keep him,” I confessed, the weight of my words heavy in the air.

“Naomi...” her voice trailed off, filled with empathy.

“I don’t know what to do.”

“You fight for him.”

“But I can’t... He doesn’t belong to only me,” I protested.

“He has to. I saw the way he looked at you,” she reassured me.

“No, you don’t understand. We’re not compatible.”

“Sometimes those who seem different are more alike than you realize,” she offered gently.

“No, not this time,” I whispered. “I have to let him go.”

“Don’t say that,” she pleaded.

“I have to, Mom!” I cried, burying my face in the pillow. “Before it’s too late...”

“I don’t think you can let go even now.”

“What other choice do I have?” I questioned, my voice muffled by the fabric.

“You fight!” she repeated.

“How?”

“You claim him,” she asserted, meeting my gaze.

“Mom, I can’t just claim him,” I protested, feeling conflicted.

“Yes, you can. You must.”

“No, it wouldn’t be right. Not until Reese knows what he wants,” I reasoned.

“He wants you,” she affirmed.

“He wants us both!” I exclaimed, frustration lacing my voice.

“I don’t believe it.”

“Well, you haven’t seen him with her...”

“So, you’re just going to lie here?”

“I don’t see what else I can do,” I admitted, feeling trapped.

My mother sighed in disappointment. Unable to muster the strength to move, I watched as she left the room, her departing glance filled with concern and uncertainty.