Lena couldn't sleep that night. The weight of the decision she had been avoiding for weeks pressed heavily on her chest. She tossed and turned, replaying everything that had happened between her and Jace—the stolen glances, the longing touches, the kiss that had both brought them closer and pushed them further apart. It was clear now: they could no longer live in this limbo. Something had to give.
The next morning, Lena found herself standing in the kitchen, her fingers wrapped around the cold mug of coffee as she tried to steady her nerves. Her heart was racing, knowing that today would be the day she had to talk to Clara. She couldn't keep pretending anymore.
Clara entered the kitchen, her usual bright smile in place, but Lena saw the flicker of concern in her sister's eyes. Without wasting a moment, Clara spoke up.
"Lena, what's going on?" she asked, her voice gentle but firm. "Something's not right. You've been acting weird with Jace. Please, just tell me what's going on."
Lena's throat tightened. She had no choice but to face the truth. She took a deep breath, setting the mug down with trembling hands.
"Clara, there's something I need to tell you," she began, her voice barely above a whisper. "It's about me and Jace."
Clara's face faltered for just a second, but she quickly composed herself, sitting down across from Lena.
"What about you and Jace?" she asked carefully, her voice hesitant.
Lena swallowed hard, fighting the tears that threatened to rise. "We... we've been getting closer, and it's complicated. I didn't want to hurt you, Clara, but I think we've both crossed a line we can't uncross."
Clara stared at her, her eyes wide with shock.
"You and Jace?" Clara's voice cracked, and Lena immediately regretted her words.
"I'm so sorry, Clara. I never meant for it to happen this way. I tried to keep my feelings for him in check, but I can't lie anymore. We're... we're not just step-siblings anymore. There's something more between us."
The silence that followed was heavy, unbearable. Clara sat motionless, staring at Lena as though the world had just crumbled around her. Finally, she spoke, her voice low and broken.
"I don't know what to say," Clara whispered. "This... this feels like a betrayal."
Lena felt her heart shatter. "I never meant to hurt you. I swear I didn't. But I can't change how I feel about him."
Clara stood up slowly, her expression a mixture of sadness and confusion. "I need some time to think, Lena. I can't process this right now."
Lena watched as Clara walked out of the kitchen, the distance between them growing with each step. She felt the weight of her actions settling in. She had just broken her sister's heart, and there was no going back.
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