The Question she's Afraid to Answer

The morning felt unusually quiet.

Annie woke slowly, blinking into the soft light filtering through Tasha’s curtains. Her body felt heavy, but for the first time in days, her breaths weren’t shaky.

She lay for a moment, staring at the ceiling, remembering yesterday Great banging on the door, her legs trembling, her chest tight with fear and then Ethan’s words.

“You don’t ever have to handle men like that alone.”

The words echoed softly in her mind. She didn’t understand why he had stepped in.

He barely knew her. And yet, somehow, he had made the storm inside her feel smaller, more manageable.

Tasha walked in, carrying a tray with warm tea, bread, and fruit. “Morning, mama-to-be,” she said with a grin. “Eat before you faint on my floor.”

Annie sat up, her face flushing. “You didn’t have to do all this.”

“I did,” Tasha said, settling beside her. “After that nonsense last night? Absolutely.”

Annie looked away, shame creeping in. “I’m sorry I brought the drama here.”

Tasha held her chin gently. “Stop. You didn’t bring drama. HE did. And if he ever shows up again, I’ll handle it.”

Annie let out a small smile. “Thank you.”

Tasha leaned back, teasing. “And… your tall, dark hero last night”

“Please don’t,” Annie groaned, hiding her face.

“Girl, the way he just stood there like a billionaire bodyguard? Whew. I almost asked him for his number.”

Annie laughed, shoving her friend lightly. But inside, her stomach fluttered. Ethan’s calm eyes and steady presence lingered in her mind.

The rest of the day was quiet, almost peaceful. Annie cleaned, showered, braided her hair slowly, trying to push thoughts of Ethan and Great out of her mind.

By afternoon, she decided to take a short walk. She pulled a simple sweatshirt over her braids and stepped outside. The breeze was cool, brushing her cheeks. The city felt calm around her.

And then she heard a familiar voice.

“Annie?”

She froze. Slowly, she turned and saw him. Ethan Gray. Standing just a few steps away, dark coat brushing the wind, hair slightly messy, eyes softening as he looked at her.

“Hi,” she whispered.

“I didn’t mean to startle you,” he said, stepping closer.

“You didn’t.”

He studied her carefully, noticing the faint tiredness under her eyes. “You look better today.”

“It’s a good morning,” she replied, even though her heart skipped at the sound of his voice.

He slid his hands into his pockets, almost shy. “I didn’t see you at the cafe. I thought maybe you traveled.”

“You… noticed I wasn’t there?”

“Yeah,” he admitted softly, warmth in his gaze.

She looked down, feeling her cheeks heat. “I just needed fresh air.”

“Then let me walk with you,” he said, low and steady. “If that’s okay.”

“I see.” He didn’t push. He let her pain exist without questions.

“You handled yourself well,” he said after a moment.

“I was shaking the whole time,” she admitted.

“That’s still brave,” he replied

“Okay,” she said softly.

They walked side by side, slowly, without speaking at first. The silence felt gentle, comfortable. Each step in rhythm, each breath synced without thought.

“You’re quiet today,” he said after a while.

“I’m just… thinking.”

“About last night?” His voice was careful.

She stiffened, unwilling to drag Great into this peaceful moment. “Yeah,” she whispered.

Ethan’s jaw tightened slightly. “Does he come often like that?”

“No,” she said quickly. “Just… angry. A bad breakup.”

“Why were you there?” she asked quietly.

He hesitated. “I was meeting someone nearby… I heard the shouting. I couldn’t just walk away.”

“So you stepped in.”

“I would have for anyone,” he said quickly, but his eyes said more.

Annie’s pulse beat fast. “Thank you,” she whispered.

“You don’t need to. I was glad I could be there,” he said simply.

They reached a small park bench and sat, leaving a respectful space between them. But it was filled with unspoken things.

“Do you always help strangers?” she asked.

“Not always,” he admitted. “Only when something… pulls me.”

“Pulled you?”

“You looked like you were drowning that day in the rain,” he said gently.

“I was.”

“And since then…” He paused, searching for words. “I’ve found myself wanting to make sure you’re okay.”

Her heart fluttered. She wasn’t used to care without conditions. She wasn’t used to gentleness.

“Why?” she asked softly.

“I don’t know,” he said. “I just… don’t want to stop.”

The wind brushed the trees. The city noises softened around them. Annie’s chest tightened, leaning just slightly closer without realizing. Her body betrayed her, trusting him.

“Ethan… my life is messy,” she admitted.

“Life is always messy,” he said quietly.

“Not this messy.”

“You don’t have to explain. I’m not asking for answers,” he said, voice low.

Her phone buzzed. A missed call. Great.

Ethan’s brows drew together. “Is it him?”

“I’m fine,” she said, though her heart pounded.

“You’re not safe with him,” Ethan said softly.

“I can handle it,” she whispered, unconvincingly.

“You don’t have to,” he said firmly. “Not anymore.”

Annie froze. Those words again, the ones that had stayed in her chest all night. She looked at him, finally letting herself believe maybe someone could stand beside her without hurting her.

A gentle wind swept across the park, carrying faint city scents. Leaves rustled. Children laughed in the distance. The moment felt quiet, warm, safe.

She exhaled, whispering, “I don’t know what this is between us.”

“You don’t have to know,” he replied, eyes soft as sunlight. “I’m not asking for anything. I just want you to feel safe.”

Annie’s heart shivered, fragile, yet genuine hope began to bloom inside her.

As they sat, shoulders nearly touching, Annie’s phone buzzed again. This time it was Tasha.

“Hey… can we talk?” Tasha’s voice came softly through the speaker.

“Sure,” Annie said.

“Annie… do you really want to keep this baby?”

Annie froze. Her chest tightened. The question lingered, heavy, impossible.

The wind shifted, brushing her hair across her face. Ethan’s presence beside her was steady, solid… comforting. But the question hung in the air.

She didn’t answer.

Not yet.

She only took a deep breath  and looked up at him, uncertain, confused between her growing feelings and the impossible choice ahead.