The next few days were filled with strained silences and stolen glances. Jace had been distant, and Lena felt torn between wanting to talk to him and fearing what would happen if they did.
One evening, Lena found herself alone in the house. Her mom and stepdad were out for the night, and Clara was at a friend's house. Jace had retreated to his room after dinner, and Lena couldn't shake the feeling that something was building between them.
She paced the living room, unsure whether to confront him or give him space. But before she could make up her mind, she heard footsteps approaching. Jace appeared in the doorway, his expression unreadable.
"We need to talk," he said quietly.
Lena's heart raced, but she nodded, following him into the kitchen. They sat at the table, the weight of unspoken words filling the air.
"I can't keep doing this," Jace finally said, his voice low. "Pretending that everything's normal when it's not."
Lena swallowed hard. "I know. I feel the same way."
He looked at her, his blue eyes filled with conflict. "This... whatever this is between us... it's not fair. To anyone. Especially Clara."
Guilt flooded Lena's chest. "I don't want to hurt her either. But I can't ignore how I feel."
Jace ran a hand through his hair, frustration clear on his face. "I don't know what to do, Lena. I'm trying to do the right thing, but I can't stop thinking about you."
Lena felt tears prick her eyes. She had wanted this moment for so long—to finally be honest with Jace—but now that it was happening, it felt more painful than she had imagined.
"I don't want to lose you," she whispered, her voice shaking.
Jace reached across the table, taking her hand. His touch sent a shock of warmth through her, but there was sadness in his eyes. "We're not supposed to feel this way. But I don't know how to stop."
For a moment, they sat in silence, their hands intertwined. Lena knew they were standing at the edge of something dangerous, something that could change everything.
"I care about you, Jace," she said softly. "But maybe we need to take a step back. Figure out what we really want."
Jace's jaw tightened, but he nodded. "Maybe you're right."
As they sat there, the connection between them still pulsing, Lena realized that love—real, complicated love—wasn't something that could be easily defined. And while she didn't have all the answers, she knew one thing for certain: their story was far from over.
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