My Ex- Husband Wants A Second Chance

I came out of my car and Ethan was already heading towards me, a worried expression on his face.

His towering, powerful figure moved with an effortless elegance, and despite the stress engraved in his face, there was something soothing about his presence.

He was certainly handsome, but not in the same way as Liam.

Where Liam had a crisp, even scary appeal, Ethan possessed a softness that made him friendlier, more sympathetic.

"Hey," he murmured, his voice low and calming. "I’ve been trying to contact you. It wasn’t connecting. I arrived here a few minutes ago."

I dug inside my backpack, taking out my phone. "It’s been on the whole time," I began, only to see the dark screen. After the call with Angela, the battery must have died. I sighed, feeling a little uncomfortable. "Guess it died."

"It happens," he answered with a tiny grin, but the fear didn’t leave his eyes.

"Come in," I urged, wanting some companionship more than I cared to admit. He nodded, following me inside.

My apartment was basic but attractive, a reflection of my style.

The neutral tones and modest furnishings made the place seem serene, almost like a refuge.

I could feel Ethan’s stare on me as I led him into the living room, where the mellow light of the evening sun streamed through the drapes.

"Can I get you anything?" I asked, attempting to lighten the atmosphere.

"I’m fine," he said, but I could see the hesitancy in his eyes.

I grinned, trying to seem lighthearted. "Are you feeling like a visitor? This is your third time here, you know."

That appeared to lessen the strain a bit.

He laughed, the sound pleasant and familiar, and for a minute, it seemed like the weight on my chest had eased just a bit.

But then he rose up and moved towards me in the kitchen, his look turning serious again.

For a few minutes, he quietly stared at me, and I could feel the intensity in his eyes.

With him, it was always this way. Something about the way he stared at me made me feel vulnerable, as if he could see beyond the defenses I had put up.

"Are you okay?" he said in a soft but urgent tone.

"Yes," I answered quickly, but my voice betrayed me, trembling as I struggled to keep back the emotions that were about to boil over again.

I sighed hard, turning to move to the living room, but before I could take a step, he reached out and gently pulled me back.

That little touch was all it needed for the dam to shatter.

The tears I had been battling so hard to hold at away came gushing out, and I couldn’t stop them.

My shoulders trembled with the power of my cries, and I felt Ethan’s arms wrap around me, bringing me close.

"Oh no," he mumbled, his voice full of worry as he escorted me to the sofa.

He sat with me, not letting go, and I was glad for the comfort, for the warmth of his arms.

"What’s wrong?" he questioned again, and this time, I couldn’t keep back.

I told him everything.

About the marriage, the divorce, the humiliation of discovering Liam with another woman on our anniversary. The way it had all gone apart, leaving me devastated and bewildered.

Ethan remained quiet while I talked, but I could see the emotions flashing in his eyes.. astonishment, disbelief, and something more that I couldn’t quite describe. Was it jealousy? Hurt? Or was I simply imagining it, seeing what I wanted to see in the depths of his gaze?

When I finished, there was a lengthy hush.

Ethan didn’t talk, but his hand never left me, his hold warm and solid.

It was if he understood that words wouldn’t be enough to take away the agony, that all I needed right now was someone to be there, to listen, to care.

Finally, I glanced up at him, and our eyes connected.

There was a compassion in his face that made my heart hurt, but I immediately glanced away, unable to maintain his sight for long.

It was too much, too soon. I couldn’t allow myself be dragged into those feelings again, couldn’t let myself dream for something that may never happen.

“Ethan, I’m sorry,” I mumbled, drawing my hand away and wiping the tears from my face. “I didn’t mean to burden you with all of this.”

He shook his head. “You don’t have to apologize, Sophie. I’m pleased you told me. You’ve been dragging this around for too long.”

His remarks were so kind, so sympathetic, that they made me want to weep all over again. But I kept it together, attempting to recover some sort of control.

I took a long breath, seeking to settle my emotions. “It’s just been hard, you know? Liam was the first person I truly allowed in, and he... he broke me.”

Ethan nodded, his face still warm, still compassionate. “I get it, Soph. But you’re stronger than you realize. You’ve gone through hell, yet you’re still standing.”

I smiled faintly at his words, but the anguish in my chest didn’t ease. “Thanks, Ethan. It means a lot, but I’m not sure I’m ready for... anything right now.”

“I understand,” he responded simply, not pressuring me for more. And I appreciated it, more than he could know.

A quiet stillness crept between us, and my mind strayed to how we had met.

It had been two months ago, in a restaurant. A chance meeting, really.

We had exchanged numbers, met up for a couple occasions, and things had simply... clicked.

There was something about him, something that made it easy to open up to him, to be myself with him. He was different from Liam in so many ways.. softer, kinder, more patient.

I had permitted him to come over to my place last month, then a week ago, and now tonight.

Each time, we had spoken, exchanged tales, and laughed a bit.

It was easy with him, and that terrified me.

I had a warm place for him, that much was evident, but I wasn’t ready.

I couldn’t let my guard down again, couldn’t risk my heart, not after all I had gone through.

What if I wasn’t enough? What if I could never be complete again? I didn’t say any of this out loud, however.

Instead, I nodded and leaned into him, giving myself this one moment of comfort, knowing that I would have to face the reality of my predicament sooner or later.

For now, however, I was pleased to let Ethan hold me, to allow myself feel anything other than anguish, even if it was just for a short time.

Maybe I wasn't as alone as I believed.