She had a difficult conversation ahead of her.
Outside the window, the lights of passing cars flickered, and pedestrians hurried about their business, but Edward was left alone with his thoughts. Today, he felt particularly downcast, though nothing on the surface betrayed his mood.
He thought about Lydia. Their relationship had lasted several years, and at first, everything seemed perfect. He did everything he could to make her happy—buying expensive gifts, planning romantic dinners, making sure he was attentive and caring. But lately, he’d begun to notice a shift. Lydia had grown distant, often lost in her own world, and their conversations had become shorter and less frequent.
Edward tried to figure out what had changed. Had he done something wrong? Or had she simply grown tired of his constant attention? He couldn’t find the answers, and it filled him with despair.
He remembered how they first met. It was at a party, one of the many he used to attend in his free time. Lydia had caught his eye immediately—her beauty and confidence set her apart from anyone else he’d known. She had her own way of seeing the world, her own passions and interests. Edward had wanted to know her better, and soon enough, they were dating.
At first, everything was wonderful. They spent so much time together—traveling, going to events, just enjoying each other’s company. Edward cherished every moment with Lydia and believed their relationship was moving in the right direction. But slowly, he began to notice changes in her. She smiled less, took longer to reply to his calls and texts. Sometimes, he even wondered if she was just tolerating his presence.
The thought was painful, but Edward tried not to let it show. He kept trying to rekindle what they’d had. Yet every time he tried to talk to Lydia about their relationship, she dodged the conversation, claiming she was busy or tired.
Today had been especially hard. Lydia had gone out with her friends again, leaving him alone. He knew it was normal—everyone needed space—but his heart ached. He felt like he was losing her, but he didn’t know how to stop it.
The thoughts tormented him, but he had no answers. He loved Lydia and wanted her to be happy, yet he feared his efforts might be in vain. Deep down, he hoped that one day, she’d open up to him and tell him what was wrong. But for now, all he could do was wait and hope for the best.
Lydia sat in the café, the usual evening bustle of London humming around her. She was alone, though she could have been with Edward—her boyfriend, who, by all accounts, seemed perfect for her. Handsome, smart, caring… the kind of man most women dreamed of. Yet somehow, she felt miserable.
It had started years ago when she’d first met Edward. They’d been introduced at a party, and he’d caught her attention right away—his charm, his confidence, the way he could talk about anything. It had flattered her that someone like him was interested in her.
She remembered the moment their eyes had met across the crowded room. Back then, she’d thought love was supposed to be sudden, fiery, passionate. But with Edward, it had been different. Their relationship had unfolded slowly, almost methodically. More time together, then dates, then commitment. He was attentive, thoughtful, always planning surprises. On paper, it was perfect. But inside, she felt empty.
She appreciated the way Edward respected her, helped with day-to-day troubles, supported her when she needed it. There was understanding between them, even care. Weren’t those the foundations of something strong? Love? Well, that would come in time, surely?
Yet time passed, and the love never came. Instead, irritation grew. Every gesture Edward made, every word he said, began to feel forced—even his smile made her uncomfortable. Worse still, she found herself comparing him to someone else entirely.
James. Her childhood friend, clumsy, always getting into silly scrapes. She’d always thought of him as just that—a friend. Someone to confide in, to laugh with. But now, he was the one who filled her thoughts, not Edward. She remembered their long talks, the way he made her laugh, how he’d always been there when she needed him. She knew James had loved her for years, but she’d never thought it mattered. He was just a friend, wasn’t he?
Trying to untangle her feelings, Lydia thought back to recent weeks. Edward had become unbearable. His constant helpfulness, once comforting, now felt suffocating. His need to please her had turned into pressure.
She knew she had to talk to him. To admit that their relationship had run its course. But the thought of confessing her feelings for someone else made her feel wretched. How had she missed what was right in front of her?
Tears welled up, and she brushed them away quickly, not wanting anyone to notice. She hated herself for the mess she’d made of her own emotions. Still, she knew she had to find the strength to set things right. Late as it was, painful as it would be, she had to do it.
Lydia stood and walked toward the door. She had a difficult conversation ahead with Edward, and she knew that after this, her life would change forever. But maybe, just maybe, it would be the first step toward the happiness she’d been missing all along.
