UNCOMPLETE LOVE

Lena woke up the next morning with a strange feeling in her chest—something warm, something light. It took her a moment to recognize it.

Happiness.

For the first time in a long time, she felt at peace. The past few days with Ethan had been different—softer, less turbulent. They were trying, and for once, trying didn't feel exhausting. It felt… hopeful.

But as she lay in bed, staring at the ceiling, a small voice in the back of her mind whispered: What if this doesn't last?

She swallowed hard, pushing the thought away.

Not today.

---

A Morning Surprise

Just as she was getting out of bed, her phone buzzed.

Ethan: Good morning, beautiful. Can I steal you for breakfast?

Lena smiled at the screen before replying.

Lena: Only if pancakes are involved.

Ethan: Always.

Fifteen minutes later, she met him at the café down the street. Ethan was already waiting at a corner table, two cups of coffee in front of him.

"You read my mind," she said, sitting down.

Ethan smirked. "I've always been good at that."

Lena rolled her eyes, but the truth was—he had been. Even at their worst, Ethan had always known her better than anyone.

As they ate, they fell into easy conversation.

It felt normal. It felt right.

And that scared Lena more than she wanted to admit.

---

Unfinished Business

After breakfast, Ethan walked Lena back to her apartment. As they reached her door, he hesitated.

"There's something I need to talk to you about," he said.

Lena frowned. "That sounds serious."

Ethan ran a hand through his hair. "It kind of is."

She crossed her arms. "Okay, just tell me."

Ethan exhaled. "I got a job offer."

Lena blinked. "A job offer?"

"In New York."

Her stomach dropped.

New York. Miles away from where they were now.

She forced herself to stay calm. "When did this happen?"

"A couple of weeks ago."

Lena's heart pounded. "And you're just telling me now?"

"I didn't want to bring it up until I knew where we stood," Ethan admitted. "I didn't want to ruin what we were rebuilding."

Lena felt like the ground was shifting beneath her. "So… what does this mean?"

Ethan looked at her, his expression torn. "It means I have a decision to make."

Lena swallowed. "And what do you want to do?"

Ethan hesitated. "I don't know."

She looked away, trying to process it.

After everything, after all the work they had put into fixing what was broken—was he just going to leave?

"Lena," Ethan said softly, reaching for her hand.

She pulled back. "I need some time to think."

Ethan's face fell, but he nodded. "I understand."

But did he?

Because Lena wasn't sure she did.

---

Running Away

Lena spent the rest of the day avoiding her thoughts.

She went for a long walk, wandered through stores she had no intention of buying anything from, and sat in the park for hours. But no matter how far she went, the truth followed her.

She was scared.

Not just of losing Ethan—but of letting herself believe in something good, only for it to be taken away.

Hadn't that always been her biggest fear?

She had convinced herself that love was supposed to be painful, that heartbreak was inevitable.

But what if it wasn't?

What if, for once, she fought for what she wanted?

---

A Choice to Make

That evening, Lena found herself standing outside Ethan's apartment.

Her heart pounded as she knocked on the door.

When he opened it, surprise flickered across his face. "Lena?"

She took a deep breath. "I don't want to lose you again."

Ethan's expression softened. "Then don't."

Lena stepped inside, closing the door behind her. "New York… it's a big deal."

Ethan nodded. "Yeah. It is."

She met his gaze. "Do you want to go?"

Ethan hesitated. "I want to be with you."

"That's not an answer."

He sighed. "Lena, I love you. But I can't stay here forever, waiting for us to be perfect."

Her heart clenched. "So, what? You're saying we have an expiration date?"

"No," he said quickly. "I'm saying I want us to figure this out together."

Lena inhaled sharply. "Do you want me to go with you?"

Ethan searched her face. "Would you?"

The room felt impossibly small.

Could she do this? Could she leave behind everything she knew for a future with him?

She didn't have the answer.

Not yet.

But as Ethan pulled her into his arms, holding her as if he never wanted to let go, she realized—

Maybe love wasn't about knowing every answer.

Maybe it was about choosing to stay, even when everything felt uncertain.

And for the first time, she was ready to make that choice.