Chapter 20: A Tangled Heart

The university campus hummed with its usual energy, students bustling between classes, exchanging greetings, and making small talk as they navigated the walkways. Emilia had just finished a lecture and, as usual, retreated to the faculty lounge to decompress. She needed the quiet, the sanctuary it offered after spending hours speaking in front of students.

Today, however, the sanctuary wasn't quite as peaceful as it usually was. She looked up from her coffee when she saw Mark entering the lounge, a colleague in the political science department. Mark was a bright, articulate professor who had recently joined the team, and over the past few weeks, they'd formed a comfortable rapport. He was easy to talk to, and Emilia found herself enjoying their conversations more than she had expected. There was something refreshing about him—he didn't carry the weight of unresolved emotions, nor did he have the baggage Aiden had left behind.

Mark spotted her and smiled, his eyes lighting up as he made his way toward her. "Hey, Emilia. You're looking a little lost in thought."

She returned the smile. "Just trying to unwind a bit. It's been one of those days."

Mark nodded sympathetically as he pulled out the chair opposite her. "I hear that. If you're not too busy later, I was wondering if you'd like to grab dinner? I found this new place downtown. It's got a great atmosphere."

Emilia paused, her fingers tracing the rim of her coffee cup. She hadn't expected him to suggest something so casual, but it felt nice—an easy invitation with no strings attached. She had always been cautious about mixing work with personal life, but this felt different. Mark was someone she respected professionally, and there was a genuine connection between them.

"I'd love that," she said after a moment's consideration. "What time?"

"How about seven?"

"Sounds perfect," she agreed, feeling a small thrill at the thought of spending more time with him. It was a simple dinner, a distraction from the emotional chaos she had been living in recently.

---

Later that evening, Emilia met Mark at the restaurant, a cozy little bistro tucked away on a quiet street. The warm glow of the candles and the gentle hum of background chatter set the tone for a pleasant evening. They talked about everything: their shared passion for political theory, their favorite books, and even trivial things like movies and travel. Emilia laughed more than she had in a long time, her chest light with something that felt like freedom.

As the night wore on, Emilia found herself looking forward to the moments when Mark would lean forward with an earnest look in his eyes, offering thoughtful insights or sharing a personal story. It wasn't like the years she had spent wondering if Aiden would ever be more than just a fleeting presence in her life. With Mark, there was no uncertainty, no emotional baggage. It was just... simple.

When the dinner came to an end, Mark walked her back to her apartment. They paused outside, the evening air crisp against her skin.

"I really had a good time tonight," Mark said, his voice sincere.

"Me too," Emilia replied, her heart fluttering in a way she didn't quite expect.

Mark's eyes lingered on hers for a beat longer than usual, and then he cleared his throat. "Well, I guess I'll see you at work tomorrow?"

"Definitely," she said with a smile.

As she turned to go inside, she heard footsteps behind her. She didn't need to look back to know who it was.

"Aiden," she muttered under her breath, her stomach tightening.

There he was, standing at the base of the steps leading to her apartment, his gaze fixed on her with an intensity that unsettled her. It had been weeks since she'd seen him outside the confines of the classroom, and the emotional distance between them had seemed like a relief at first. But now, with Mark standing just a few feet away, that distance suddenly felt fragile.

Mark gave a polite nod to Aiden, his tone friendly but neutral. "Emilia, I'll catch you later."

Emilia watched him leave, feeling an unexpected pang of regret as he disappeared down the sidewalk. She turned to face Aiden, whose eyes were still locked on her.

"Didn't expect to see you here," she said, keeping her voice steady, though she could feel the weight of his presence.

Aiden didn't respond immediately. He simply watched her with that familiar, piercing gaze. His jaw tightened, and the silence between them stretched on, thick with unspoken words.

Finally, he spoke, his voice low. "I didn't realize you were seeing someone now."

Emilia's stomach twisted, but she forced herself to remain composed. "It's none of your business, Aiden."

Aiden stepped forward, his expression darkening. "You're not even a little curious about where I've been all this time?"

Emilia's breath caught in her throat. She had spent so much time justifying his absence to herself, convincing herself that it was better this way—that she was better off without him. But seeing him now, standing in front of her as if nothing had changed, it felt like everything had come rushing back.

"I don't need to know, Aiden. Not anymore," she said, her voice firmer than she felt. "I've moved on."

Aiden's eyes flashed, and for a moment, she saw something there—something raw, something almost desperate. He stepped even closer, his voice barely above a whisper. "You really think you can just move on? Just like that?"

Emilia fought the urge to step back. "I'm not doing this with you, Aiden. You disappeared without a word, and now you want to come back and act like I owe you something? No. I don't owe you anything."

The words stung, and she saw the flicker of hurt in his eyes. But there was something else too—something deeper. Jealousy.

"I don't want you to move on with him," Aiden muttered, his voice thick with emotion. "I want you to move on with me."

Emilia's heart raced at his words, the weight of them settling into her chest like a stone. "It's too late for that."

For a long moment, neither of them spoke. The air between them felt heavy, thick with the unspoken feelings they had never fully addressed.

Finally, Aiden took a step back, his shoulders slumping slightly. "I never meant to hurt you, Emilia."

"I know," she said softly, her own voice faltering for a moment. "But you did."

Without another word, she turned and went inside, leaving Aiden standing there, his figure frozen in the cold night air.

---

The next few days were strained. Emilia felt Aiden's presence in every hallway, in every corner of the university, and each time their eyes met, it was like a silent battle. Aiden was still there, still trying to stake some claim on her, but Emilia could feel herself slipping further away from him with each passing moment.

At work, Mark was more than just a colleague—he was a refuge. Their lunches together, their casual chats, and even their academic debates became a balm to the emotional wound Aiden had left. Mark didn't make her feel like she was still living in the shadow of someone else. With him, she felt seen for who she was, not who she had been.

But despite her growing connection with Mark, part of her couldn't shake the nagging feeling that Aiden was still watching, still waiting for her to come back to him. And though she was trying her best to move forward, a small part of her wondered if she ever would.

Aiden wasn't just a part of her past—he was an echo that lingered, refusing to be silenced.

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