I thought escaping to my friend’s lake house would help me forget my messy breakup. Instead, her charming brother appeared—and just as sparks flew, his past crashed into our dinner, changing everything.
Every time I closed my eyes, I saw my ex’s smug face telling me he’d “found someone else.” Years together erased in seconds. My apartment was suffocating with reminders. When Joanna called, offering her lake house, I didn’t hesitate.
The lake shimmered like a giant mirror, the air smelled of pine and fresh chances. Joanna greeted me with one of her tight hugs and a glass of wine. For the first time in weeks, I felt like maybe things could be okay.
Then came footsteps. Seth—Joanna’s brother—walked in. I hadn’t seen him in years, but time had been kind. His smile made words vanish. Joanna teased, “He’s single, you know.” I groaned, but my heart flipped anyway.
Days passed in easy laughter. Seth was laid-back, close to Joanna, and unexpectedly comforting. One evening, he asked me out to dinner. Joanna grinned—apparently Seth never asked anyone out. Nervous but intrigued, I agreed.
The restaurant was perfect. Warm ambiance, good food, Seth’s calm presence. But his phone kept buzzing. Twice he excused himself. The second time, I followed—and found him talking to a woman.
“This is Lauren,” he said awkwardly. “My ex-wife.”
Lauren smiled sweetly and invited us to dinner. Before I could refuse, Seth agreed.
Dinner with Lauren was tense. She sat too close, reminiscing about their “perfect” past. Seth gave polite, short answers, but I felt invisible. I stepped outside for air—and met a little girl.
“Are you here with my daddy?” she asked.
My heart stopped. Seth had a daughter.
Inside, Seth scooped her up tenderly. Lauren leaned toward me, whispering, “You don’t belong here. Seth always comes back to us. Leave before you get hurt.”
Shaken, I packed my bags the next morning. Seth hadn’t called, and I felt in over my head. By noon, I booked a ticket home.
Halfway to the airport, a car sped beside my taxi. Seth. He pulled over, breathless.
“Olivia, wait. I should’ve told you everything. I didn’t want to drag you into my mess. But I’ve fallen in love with you. I want you to meet my kids, to see the real me.”
I sat torn between safety and risk. But my heart knew. I tore up the ticket. Sometimes the greatest risks lead to the most beautiful outcomes.
