20 | difficult

I woke up to the soft light of dawn filtering through the curtains, my body nestled comfortably against Tim's. His arm was draped over me protectively, and for a moment, everything felt perfect. The warmth of his body against mine, the steady rise and fall of his chest, the way his fingers gently traced patterns on my skin—it was as if the world outside this bed didn't exist.

I stirred slightly, and Tim tightened his grip around me, pulling me closer. His eyes fluttered open, meeting mine with a softness I rarely saw in him.

"Morning," he murmured, his voice thick with sleep.

"Morning," I replied, a small smile playing on my lips. For a few moments, we just lay there in comfortable silence, savoring the rare peace between us.

But then reality began to creep in, and with it, the questions I had been too exhausted to ask last night. "Tim, why did you leave me at the hotel?" I asked, my voice barely above a whisper.

Tim sighed deeply, his eyes clouding over with a mix of guilt and frustration. He shifted slightly, propping himself up on one elbow so he could look at me more directly. "Isobel left me a message. She said she needed me. I thought... I thought it was important," he explained, his voice heavy with regret.

I felt a sharp pang of disappointment. Isobel. Of course it was Isobel. "So you just dropped everything because she called?" I couldn't keep the bitterness out of my voice. "It was a trap, wasn't it? Petrovich knew you would go."

Tim nodded, his jaw tightening. "Yes. It was a setup. They knew I would come for her."

I pushed away from him, sitting up and pulling the sheet around me. "You left me there, Tim. You left me because of her." The hurt in my voice was undeniable, and I saw a flicker of pain cross his face.

"I didn't know," he said quietly. "I thought she was in danger. I couldn't just ignore it."

A heavy silence fell between us, the weight of unspoken words hanging in the air. I looked away, trying to gather my thoughts, trying to make sense of the turmoil inside me.

After what felt like an eternity, Tim broke the silence. "Luce, what are we doing?" His voice was raw, filled with a vulnerability I wasn't used to seeing in him.

I turned to look at him, meeting his gaze. "I don't know, Tim," I admitted. "I really don't know."

He sighed, running a hand through his hair. "This can't keep going on. We need some distance." He paused, his eyes searching mine. "You have a boyfriend. Chris."

The mention of Chris made my stomach churn. "Chris isn't... He's not good for you, Luce. You need to break up with him."

I felt a surge of anger rise within me. "Who are you to tell me what to do?" I snapped. "You don't get to boss me around, Tim."

"I'm not trying to boss you around," he said, his voice steady but firm. "I'm trying to protect you. Chris is abusive. You deserve better than that."

"Better?" I laughed bitterly. "Like what, Tim? Like you?"

He didn't flinch, his eyes never leaving mine. "Yes. Like me. Or someone who treats you with the respect and love you deserve. Not someone who hurts you."

Tears welled up in my eyes, blurring my vision. "You don't get it, do you? You can't just waltz into my life, mess everything up, and then tell me how to live it."

"I'm trying to help," he said, his voice breaking. "I care about you, Luce. More than you know."

"Then stop trying to control me!" I shouted, the tears spilling over. "Stop telling me what to do!"

Tim reached out, but I pulled away, my body trembling with anger and hurt. "I can't do this," I said, my voice cracking. "I can't keep doing this with you."

"Luce," he began, but I shook my head.

"No, Tim. Just... stop." I slid off the bed, grabbing my clothes and dressing quickly. "I need to get out of here."

"Luce, please," Tim said, his voice pleading.

But I couldn't stay. I couldn't face him, not now. Not with everything that had been said and everything that was left unsaid. I needed space. I needed to breathe.

I fled the room, the tears blurring my vision as I stumbled down the hallway. My mind was a whirlwind of emotions—anger, pain, confusion. I felt like I was drowning in it all, unable to find a way out.

I burst out of the building, the cool morning air hitting my face like a slap. I took a deep breath, trying to steady myself, trying to find some semblance of calm. But it was impossible. Everything was falling apart, and I didn't know how to fix it.

I wandered aimlessly, my mind replaying the conversation over and over again. Tim's words echoed in my head, a constant reminder of the tumultuous relationship we had. I wanted to hate him, but I couldn't. I wanted to be with him, but I knew it was impossible.

I found myself at a small park, the early morning stillness providing a stark contrast to the chaos inside me. I sat down on a bench, my head in my hands, the tears continuing to flow.

I didn't know how long I sat there, lost in my thoughts, but eventually, the tears dried up, leaving a hollow ache in their place. I knew I had to make a decision. I couldn't keep living in this limbo, torn between two men who both had the power to hurt me.

Chris. Tim was right about Chris. He was abusive, and I knew deep down that I needed to end things with him. But the thought of doing it, of facing that confrontation, filled me with dread.

And then there was Tim. Complicated, infuriating, wonderful Tim. I didn't know what we were, or what we could be, but I knew that whatever it was, it wasn't healthy. Not right now.

I took a deep breath, trying to summon the strength I needed. I had to do this. I had to take control of my life, for my own sake.

Slowly, I stood up, my resolve hardening with each step I took. I needed to end things with Chris. And as for Tim... I needed to take a step back. I needed to figure out who I was and what I wanted without the chaos of our relationship clouding my judgment.

As I walked back to my apartment, a sense of determination settled over me.

When I reached my door, I took a deep breath, steeling myself for the confrontation ahead. It was time to take control. It was time to start living for myself.

leave a vote and a comment !! also tell me if u want me to include some trope u like into the story!! i need ideas🥲

love yaaaa ❤️