Bella's POV
The soft hum of the city outside was a constant reminder of the world that kept turning, oblivious to the chaos that had shaken Bella's life in the past few days. But inside her apartment, there was an uneasy calm. Ethan had left hours ago, after a long conversation about the future, about the twins, and about what their relationship could become. But the lingering intensity of their words left Bella unsettled, her mind a whirlpool of emotions.
She had never expected things to move this quickly. After five years of building walls, of learning to live without him, there was no part of her that was prepared for Ethan's presence in her life again. He was a force, relentless and determined, and she couldn't deny the magnetism that still existed between them.
But at the same time, there was fear. Fear of the unknown, fear of opening her heart to him again, fear of exposing the twins to the risks that came with loving someone who had walked away before.
The soft patter of little feet pulled her from her thoughts, and she turned just in time to see Aiden and Aria run into the living room. Their bright eyes lit up as they saw her, their faces filled with excitement.
"Mama! We made a drawing for you!" Aiden's voice was loud and full of energy as he held up a crayon-drawn masterpiece that was a swirl of colors and shapes.
"I made one too!" Aria chimed in, holding up a more delicate drawing, her small hands carefully grasping the paper.
Bella smiled, her heart swelling with love for her children. "You two are so talented," she said, kneeling down to embrace them both. Their hugs were warm and innocent, and for a moment, everything felt right in the world. She was happy—more than she had allowed herself to be in a long time. But then, just as quickly as the moment had come, her mind returned to Ethan.
He had left her with a promise that she couldn't seem to escape: that he wasn't going anywhere. He wanted to fight for them. He wanted to be there. But was she ready to let him in?
The question lingered as the kids continued to show her their artwork, filling the space with their chatter and giggles. But even their joy couldn't quiet the questions swirling inside her.
Hours later, the apartment felt eerily still. The kids had finally fallen asleep after a long evening of playing, and Bella found herself standing by the window, looking out over the city. The skyline glowed beneath the fading light of the setting sun, and for the first time in days, she allowed herself to relax.
Her phone buzzed, and Bella glanced at the screen. It was a message from Ethan.
Ethan: Can I see you tonight?
Bella hesitated, her thumb hovering over the reply button. She had spent so much time pushing him away, setting boundaries, trying to protect herself. But tonight... tonight felt different.
Her heart thudded in her chest as she typed back, trying to keep her composure.
Bella: What do you want, Ethan?
A moment later, the reply came, simple and honest.
Ethan: You. Just you.
Bella stared at the words, feeling a shiver race down her spine. She could hear the sincerity in his voice even through the text, and despite the walls she had built, she found herself wanting the same thing.
She exhaled slowly, her fingers tapping against the screen as she considered her response. It wasn't just about her anymore. She had to think about the twins, about the future they would have, about the family she had worked so hard to protect. But there was also the pull, the undeniable connection that had never fully faded between her and Ethan.
Finally, she pressed send.
Bella: Come over. But not too late. The kids are sleeping.
A pause. Then, a single word flashed back at her.
Ethan: I'll be there.
---
It was nearly an hour later when Bella heard the knock at the door, and her heart skipped a beat. She wasn't sure what she was expecting, but seeing him standing there on the other side felt like a jolt of electricity.
Ethan was dressed in a dark, tailored suit, his hair slightly tousled, and his eyes—those piercing blue eyes—were filled with a mix of anticipation and something deeper, something Bella couldn't quite name.
"Hey," she said, her voice softer than she had intended.
"Hey," Ethan replied, a half-smile tugging at his lips as he stepped inside.
The air between them felt thick with unspoken words, but as soon as the door clicked shut behind him, Ethan stepped toward her. His hand reached for hers, and Bella felt the warmth of his touch instantly.
"Are you okay?" he asked, his voice low, concerned.
Bella nodded, though the truth was, she wasn't sure what she felt. There was still so much uncertainty, so many questions that had yet to be answered. But in that moment, standing so close to him, all she could think about was how badly she had missed him.
Before she could say anything else, Ethan's free hand came to her cheek, his thumb brushing gently across her skin. It was a touch so tender, so familiar, that it made her heart ache.
"I know I'm not making this easy," he said quietly, his voice rough with emotion. "But I'm here, Bella. And I'm not leaving."
She swallowed hard, trying to steady herself. But her body was already betraying her. The way he looked at her, the way his thumb stroked her cheek—everything about him was pulling her in, making it harder to think clearly.
"Ethan," she whispered, her voice trembling. "I don't know if I can do this. I don't know if I can trust you again."
Ethan's expression softened, and he leaned in, his forehead brushing against hers. "I'm not asking for your trust all at once," he murmured. "I'm asking for a chance. For you and for us. Please."
His lips were so close now, just inches away. Bella could feel the heat of his breath, could smell the faint scent of his cologne. Her pulse quickened, and before she could stop herself, her lips parted.
Ethan didn't hesitate. He closed the distance between them in a single breath, his lips capturing hers in a kiss that was both gentle and demanding. His hands slid to her waist, pulling her closer, and she melted into him.
It wasn't just a kiss. It was a release. All the emotions she had been holding back, all the doubts and fears, were swallowed up in the warmth of his embrace. The world around them seemed to fade away as they both gave in to the feeling they had been fighting for so long.
When they finally pulled apart, breathless and tingling from the intensity of it, Bella's heart was pounding. She looked into Ethan's eyes and saw the same storm she had felt inside her—a mix of longing, regret, and something deeper, something that felt like hope.
"I don't want to lose you again," he whispered, his voice raw.
Bella's chest tightened, her emotions threatening to overwhelm her. She knew she wasn't ready for everything that was coming, but in that moment, with Ethan holding her, she allowed herself to believe—just for a second—that they could find their way back to each other.