The Other side of the Line

Emma was halfway through sketching a new layout for the lake house living room when her phone lit up beside her.

Noah Hart

1 New Message

> You alive up there? Or did the tech king lock you in a smart closet?

A breathy laugh escaped her before she realized she hadn’t smiled all day.

She typed quickly.

> Still alive. Working.

Also, the smart closets are nicer than my apartment.

His reply came within seconds.

> Knew it. You need a break. Call me.

Emma hesitated, glancing toward the large windows. The sun was sinking over the lake, casting golden light across the hardwood floor of the studio.

She wanted to hear his voice.

Needed it, actually.

She hit the call button.

“Hey,” Noah said, his tone soft and familiar. “Thought maybe he buried you under a marble kitchen island.”

“Not yet,” she said. “But I’ll keep a flashlight on me, just in case.”

“Good plan. So… how bad is it?”

Emma leaned back in her chair. “It’s… a lot.”

“Talk to me.”

“He’s colder than I expected,” she admitted. “Detached. Sharp.”

“Well, he is a billionaire. That’s part of the uniform, isn’t it?”

She let out a slow breath. “It’s more than that. He’s angry. And I get it, Noah. I really do. I left without warning. I hurt him.”

“Do you still"

He paused. Emma waited, heart thudding.

“Do you still feel something for him?” he asked quietly.

Her fingers tightened on the phone.

Yes.

Always.

“I don’t know,” she said. “Maybe. It’s buried under a lot of regret.”

Noah didn’t speak for a long moment.

Then, finally: “You’re allowed to feel things, Em. You don’t have to be okay all the time.”

“I’m not,” she admitted. “But I can’t afford to fall apart either.”

“You won’t,” he said firmly. “Because you’re stronger than you think.”

She closed her eyes. “Thank you.”

“Anytime.”

The silence stretched again, not uncomfortable, but full. Like all the things they didn’t say out loud had made a quiet home between them.

“You coming back this weekend?” he asked.

“I think I’ll stay. I need to get a real start on the design, and it’s easier without the city noise.”

He hesitated. “Want company?”

Emma smiled sadly. “Noah…”

“I know,” he said quickly. “Just as a friend. No pressure.”

She bit her lip. “Maybe next week.”

“Okay,” he said. “But if the billionaire says anything out of line, I’ll come up there and throw a decorative vase at him.”

“I’ll keep you posted.”

They both laughed, and for a moment, the ache in her chest eased.

Later that night, Emma found herself outside, drawn to the stillness of the lake like it had a voice calling her name.

The moon hung low over the water, silver light spilling across the surface. She wrapped a shawl around her shoulders and stepped barefoot onto the deck.

She used to dream here. In silence. In solitude. Before everything fell apart.

She sat on the edge, toes skimming the cool air above the lake, heart too full.

The sound of footsteps behind her made her stiffen.

She didn’t have to turn around.

Jake.

“I figured you’d find this spot,” he said quietly.

She didn’t answer.

He stepped beside her and looked out over the lake, hands in his pockets. “You used to say this place felt like breathing.”

“I still believe that.”

He nodded. “I come here when I can’t think.”

Emma looked up at him. “Is that often?”

Jake gave a faint, humorless smile. “Lately? Yes.”

She stood slowly, brushing her hands over her arms. “What do you want from me, Jake?”

He didn’t flinch. “I don’t know.”

“That’s not good enough.”

He finally looked at her, really looked at her. “You’re angry?”

“No,” she said. “I’m tired. Of carrying all of it.”

“Then tell me.”

She shook her head. “It’s not that simple.”

“Yes, it is. You walked away. I deserve to know why.”

Emma’s chest tightened. “It wasn’t about you.”

“That’s what people say when it’s always about them.”

She turned, wanting to escape this conversation, this weight. But his voice stopped her.

“I built this house for you,” he said, barely above a whisper. “Every wall. Every window. I told myself it was for closure. But it wasn’t.”

She froze.

He stepped closer, not touching her. Just… there.

“I waited for you,” he said. “I kept thinking, if I made something beautiful enough, maybe it would bring you back.”

Tears burned behind her eyes.

“I shouldn’t have come,” she whispered.

“But you did,” he replied.

She nodded. “And I’m scared of what it means.”

Jake’s voice softened. “Then we’re both scared.”

For a moment, the night felt fragile like a single breath could shatter it.

Emma turned to face him.

“I didn’t stop loving you,” she said. “That was never the problem.”

He swallowed, but said nothing.

“Goodnight, Jake.”

She walked away before she changed her mind.

And behind her, he didn’t follow.