Chapter 57

As I parked my car in front of Linda’s small, unassuming home, a wave of uncertainty washed over me. Doubts crept into my

mind, and I couldn't help but question if I had made the right decision to come here tonight. My feelings for Timothy were

becoming more complicated with each passing day, and I worried that spending time with Linda, his “lover*, would only

exacerbate my internal struggle.

Taking a deep breath, I steeled myself and walked up to the front door. Before I could even knock, the door swung open,

revealing Linda’s warm smile. “Evie!

“Linda!” I forced a smile.

“It's so lovely to see you. Come on in. I just started dinner!”

Her welcoming words eased some of the tension in my chest, and I stepped inside, feeling grateful for her comforting presence.

Hopefully, dinner would provide the solace I needed.

As I followed her into the cozy kitchen, the scent of a home-cooked meal enveloped me, evoking a sense of nostalgia and

familiarity. The table was set with care, and the sight brought a small smile to my lips.

“Thank you for having me, Linda,” I said, trying to push aside my worries and focus on the present moment.

She smiled warmly, her eyes reflecting genuine kindness. “You're always welcome here, Evie. Also, dinner’s almost done.”

As Linda bustled around the kitchen, I couldn’t help but take in my surroundings. Her home was cluttered but inviting, filled with

trinkets and photographs. My eyes landed on one particular photo of Timothy, his arms wrapped around Duke as he faced away

from the camera.

Their smiles were radiant and seeing Timothy so happy together made my heart. ache with a mix of emotions. There were

several others like it with just Timothy in the image. Timothy playing hockey, going grocery shopping, or even brushing his teeth.

He was always facing away in the photos. They could’ve bene candid shots, but not one of them featured Linda. If I didn’t know

any better, I'd say he didn’t even

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know she was there half the time.

Before I could dwell further on the photos, Linda called, “Dinner’s ready!”

I walked back into the dining room and found her setting the steaming plates of flakey chicken Wellington on the table. I felt my

mouth water as I was drawn toward the delicious looking meal.

“I hope you like it, dear. It’s one of Timothy's favorite dishes,” she said.

Her mention of Timothy took some of the pleasure out of the meal. I wanted to know more about their relationship, about the

depth of their bond, but I was afraid to pry. I didn’t want to reveal the intensity of my feelings for him, especially to someone as

caring and kind as Linda.

As we Sat down to eat, I tried to focus on the meal, on the flavors and textures that danced on my tongue. Linda chatted

animatedly about her day, about the people. she had met, and about her latest gardening project.

Yet, even as she spoke, my mind kept wandering back to Timothy. I couldn’t help. but wonder if he ever talked about me to

Linda, if he confided in her about his life. and his hopes and dreams. I felt a pang of jealousy at the thought of him sharing those

intimate moments with someone other than me.

As the evening wore on, I realized that I couldn’t keep my feelings bottled up any longer. I needed to at least ask her about how

things were between them. Linda. seemed kind enough not to take it personally.

“Linda, can I talk to you about something?” I asked tentatively, my heart pounding in my chest.

Her eyes softened. “Of course, Evie. You can always talk to me about anything.”

“You said you and Timothy met online. How long until you made things official?”

Linda’s eyes twinkled with fondness. “I was just a dumb fan on one of us forums. Most people don’t know this, but secretly goes

on those fan pages and masks as a fan, just to see what people say.”

I wondered if he’d reacted to Aria on some occasions. She was a frequent poster.

I took a deep breath, trying to find the right words. “I couldn’t help but notice all the photos of Timothy around your home, and the

way you talk about him, it’s

Chapter 57

evident that you have a very special connection. How did your relationship with him develop?”

Linda’s face lit up with joy as she began to recount the story of how she and Timothy had met and the memories they had

shared. She spoke with such passion and love, like a woman reliving the most cherished moments of her life.

“I don’t know what I'd do without him,” Linda finished, her voice tinged with nostalgia. “I don’t think I'd handle a life without him.”

As she spoke, my irritation began to surface. I had hoped for some clarity, but instead, I was confronted with a vivid display of

Linda’s love for Timothy. Every word she uttered seemed to deepen the chasm between us, and my jealousy only intensified.

“He’s such a wonderful person, Evie,” Linda continued, a dreamy look in her eyes. “We've been through so much together, and

he’s always been there for me.”

“That’s nice,” I gritted out.

I tried to hide my frustration behind a forced smile, but inside, I was seething. It felt like Linda was gloating about her relationship

with Timothy, flaunting their connection in front of me. I didn’t want to hear about all the special moments they had shared or how

much he meant to her.

As Linda continued to gush about Timothy, my irritation turned to anger. I felt like an outsider in my own friendship with him. It

was as if I had been living in a fantasy, believing that our bond was unique and special, only to discover that he had another

person in his life who meant just as much to him.

I tried to interject, to redirect the conversation, but Linda was too engrossed in her memories to notice my discomfort. It felt like

she was rubbing salt in the wound, unknowingly driving a wedge between us.

Finally, unable to bear it any longer, I excused myself from the table. “I’m sorry, Linda. I just remembered that I have an early

morning tomorrow. I should head home.”

Linda looked puzzled but understanding. “Of course, hon. Thank you for coming over. It was lovely to have you here!”

I forced a smile and quickly made my way to the door. As I stepped outside, the

cool night air offered some solace, but my emotions were still in turmoil. I needed. space to process everything I had learned, to

come to terms with the reality of Timothy’s relationship with Linda.

With every tale Linda recounted, I felt more and more like an outsider, an interloper in a relationship I didn’t fully comprehend. My

frustration with her obliviousness grew, and I regretted agreeing to dinner. I should have known that this would only exacerbate

my feelings.

But my obsession with Timothy was a double-edged sword. While it drove me to seek answers, it also made me anxious and

uncomfortable. I was torn between wanting to know more about him and fearing what the truth might reveal.

On the drive back home, my mind was a whirlwind of emotions. My obsession with Timothy had become all-consuming, and I

couldn’t escape the feeling that I was spiraling out of control. The unease I felt around Linda and the depth of her relationship

with Timothy only added to my state of turmoil.

I knew that I needed to confront my feelings and address the root of my obsession. Perhaps it wasn’t just Linda that was

infatuated with him, as much as I loathed that

outcome.

As I lay in bed that night, I made a silent promise to myself to just mind my business. Yet, as I shut my eyes, the images of

Timothy and Linda together haunted me, and I feared that my journey of pulling away from him was screeching to a halt.

What was I going to do about Linda?

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