Unfinished feelings

Chapter Ten: A Heart Caught Between Hope and Pain

The days stretched into a week, yet Julian sent no other messages. Amelia told herself she was fine, that she was finally moving on. She kept herself busy with classes, assignments, and time with Josephine. But late at night, when the world was silent, the ache in her heart grew stronger.

Every time her phone vibrated, her heart jumped. But it was never him.

She wondered if he had given up.

One afternoon, as she walked across campus, she spotted a couple laughing together under a tree. The way the boy leaned in, brushing a strand of hair from the girl's face, made her chest tighten. That used to be her and Julian. Or at least, she had thought it was.

She turned away quickly, forcing her mind onto something else.

Josephine met her at the cafeteria, waving her over. "You look lost in thought," she said, handing Amelia a juice box.

Amelia took it and sighed. "I don't know why I still care. He messaged, I didn't reply, and now it's like we don't exist."

Josephine raised an eyebrow. "What do you expect? A man who really loves you doesn't just stop trying after one message."

Amelia nodded slowly. "Maybe he never really loved me."

The thought stung, but it was one she needed to face.

That evening, Amelia sat on her bed, scrolling through old messages. She stopped on one from months ago—You mean the world to me, Life. I'll never let you go.

A bitter smile crossed her lips. Funny how people change.

Just then, her phone vibrated.

Julian.

Her heart pounded. She hesitated before opening the message.

"Hey… I've been thinking about you. Can we talk?"

A lump formed in her throat. He wanted to talk. After all this time

Her fingers hovered over the keyboard. Should she say yes? Should she ignore him?

Before she could decide, another message came in.

"Please, Amelia. Just one conversation."

Her chest tightened. He never begged.

She closed her eyes, exhaling deeply.

This was the moment she had been waiting for.

But now, she wasn't sure if she was ready to hear what he had to say.

She locked her phone and placed it beside her pillow.

Maybe tomorrow, she would know what to do.