Chapter 5 Lines in the Dark

⸻

Chapter 5: Lines in the Dark

Lena didn't dream that night, but she woke with the weight of something pressing down on her chest.

Not fear.

Not regret.

Something more dangerous: attachment.

She pulled the ribbon from her bag and stared at it. So simple. So soft. So heavy with meaning. It wasn't just Alfred's anymore - or Fredrick's. It was hers. And she had no idea what to do with it.

⸻

Sophia was already dressed when Lena entered the kitchen - black suit, sharp heels, glass of green juice in hand like a weapon.

"You slept at Fredrick's again?" she asked without looking up.

Lena nodded.

Sophia turned, slowly. "You didn't text."

"I didn't know I had to."

"You don't," Sophia said, voice flat. "It's just... you used to come to me first."

That landed harder than Lena expected.

Sophia softened just a little. "Are you falling for him?"

"I don't know."

"You should."

Lena tilted her head. "Why? So I can avoid it?"

Sophia set her glass down a little too hard. "So you can survive it."

⸻

Later that day, Lena met Alfred in the garden behind his building. It was hidden from the street - a lush, green space enclosed by tall stone walls and ivy. Quiet. Honest. Like him.

He didn't speak right away. Just passed her a cup of tea and walked barefoot across the grass. She followed without asking.

"I saw Sophia today," he said after a long silence.

"Did she warn you?"

"She doesn't have to." He looked at her. "You're dangerous enough on your own."

Lena raised an eyebrow. "Is that a compliment?"

"It's a truth."

They sat together on a weathered bench. His hand brushed hers. Gentle. Intentional.

"I don't want to be part of a triangle," he said.

Lena looked down. "Then what do you want?"

"You," he said. "But not in pieces."

⸻

That night, she didn't go to Fredrick.

She went back to the penthouse and found Sophia on the balcony, hair down, smoking something that smelled expensive and illegal.

"Talk to me," Lena said.

Sophia exhaled slow. "You're breaking us."

Lena's chest tightened. "I didn't mean to."

"I know. But you are."

Sophia turned. Her eyes weren't cold. They were... hurt.

"You gave me looks for years," Sophia said, voice low. "Touches. Late-night phone calls. And I waited. I never pushed. I never asked. I just... stayed in your orbit."

Lena stepped closer. "And now?"

"Now I watch you give yourself to them. And I wonder if I ever had a chance."

Silence. Too heavy. Too honest.

Lena touched her arm. "You always had a chance."

Sophia leaned in. "Then take it."

And she kissed her - deep, raw, real. Not playful. Not performative. Just years of quiet longing finally slipping past control.

Lena kissed her back like she meant it. Because this time, she did.

⸻

After, tangled in sheets, skin still buzzing, Sophia whispered into her neck:

"You're not allowed to disappear on me."

"I won't."

"You already do. Every time you second-guess your own want."

Lena closed her eyes. "I'm trying."

Sophia kissed her collarbone. "Try harder."

⸻

The next morning, a message from Fredrick:

Fredrick:

You're pulling away. Why?

And one from Alfred:

Alfred:

Come alone. I have something for you. But only if you're ready.

And Sophia, lying beside her, still asleep, hand resting on Lena's hip.

Three wants.

Three versions of love.

All of them real.

All of them dangerous.

Lena stood at the window, the city glittering below her like temptation.

She had choices to make.

But none of them would come without cost.