43| Strained by Distance

With Ethan back, Sophie had imagined all the things they would do together—late-night talks, quiet mornings, just being together.

But reality was the opposite.

She barely got to see him. His demanding work schedule kept him away, each day blurring into the next. He left early in the morning and returned late at night, barely enough time for more than a few exhausted words at night.

The house felt emptier than ever, even though he was technically home.

Sophie spent her evenings alone, trying to stay positive. She read more, tried new recipes, watched different shows. Talking with her mom helped make the nights feel a little less lonely, but no matter how much she distracted herself, she couldn't shake off the disappointment.

She couldn't be mad at him—he wasn't ignoring her on purpose. He was working. He always came home tired, and she felt bad for him.

But she still hated this.

With a sigh, she pulled out her keycard and unlocked the front door. Another quiet evening. She slipped off her shoes and went into the kitchen, making herself a simple dinner. It would've been easier to order takeout, but cooking made this house feel more like a home rather than just a fancy place to sleep.

As she sat at the dining table, she wondered why it was so hard for her and Ethan to just be together.

After finishing her meal, Sophie wandered into the living room and picked up a book, hoping to distract herself. She never realized how much of a reader she was until she moved in here. It was a nice hobby—it gave her something to focus on, something that stopped her from thinking too much.

She didn't even remember falling asleep, the book still in her hands when she woke up. The clock read past midnight.

Where was he?

Rubbing her eyes, she sat up, a dull ache settling in her chest. Mia and Lily always teased her for working too hard, but Ethan—Ethan definitely took the cake.

Dragging herself to bed, she barely pulled the covers over before she heard a car in the driveway. A moment later, the front door opened.

Her exhaustion wasn't enough to stop her.

She slipped out of bed and padded down the hallway. In the entryway, she found Ethan taking off his shoes. He looked up, startled to see her.

"Hey," Sophie said softly, trying to keep her voice light.

Ethan gave a tired smile. "It's late. Why are you still up?"

She hesitated for a second before answering. "I couldn't sleep." Technically, it wasn't a lie—but the truth was, she'd been waiting for him.

"Long day?" she asked, but what she really wanted to say was, I was worried about you.

Ethan sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. "Long indeed. I'm sorry, Sophie. There's so much to do, and my father's not making it any easier."

Sophie bit her lip, trying to think of the right words—something that would make his burden lighter.

She wanted him to spend more time with her, but even though her feelings mattered, his came first tonight.

"Are you hungry? I have some food in the fridge."

"It's alright, I already ate," Ethan replied. He exhaled, his eyes heavy with exhaustion. "I'm sorry we haven't had much time together. I really miss you."

The words made her chest tighten. He wanted to spend time with her too. Right now, he just couldn't.

"I miss you too," she murmured.

Taking a step closer, she reached out, gently touching his arm. "Can we at least talk for a little bit? I miss our conversations."

Ethan's expression softened. He nodded, reaching for her hand. "Of course. Let's sit down."

They moved to the couch in the living room, the quiet of the night wrapping around them. For a moment, it felt like the rest of the world had disappeared.

Sophie looked into Ethan's tired eyes, searching for the right words. "I know you're working hard, and I appreciate everything you do. But I don't want you to overwork yourself. You're always so tired... and I really miss you."

Ethan sighed deeply, his shoulders slumping as he took her hand in his. "I'm sorry, Sophie. I made all these promises to you, but it feels like I'm not keeping any of them."

"It's okay," she reassured him, squeezing his hand. "I know you're doing your best."

Ethan nodded, his fingers tightening around hers. "I'll do better, Sophie. I promise."

She could see how exhaustion was weighing down on him.

She could see the exhaustion weighing on him, the way his body begged for rest even as his mind fought to stay alert. Sophie hesitated for only a second before offering softly, "Why don't you lay your head in my lap for a while?" She patted her lap gently, making space for him. "I'll watch over you while you sleep."

Ethan hesitated, his tired eyes searching hers. "Are you sure? I'm heavy, and it'll be uncomfortable for you."

"Please, Ethan." Her voice was quiet, filled with something tender. She just wanted to be close to him, even if only for a little while.

He gave a small nod and lay down on the couch, resting his head against her lap. Sophie gently ran her fingers through his hair, feeling the tension in his body slowly ease as his breathing steadied.

As she watched him drift off, a storm of emotions settled inside her. The sadness and loneliness hadn't disappeared, but neither had the deep sense of love and devotion she felt for him.

She really hoped this phase would pass soon. It wasn't good for him, and it sure as hell wasn't good for her either.

The quiet of the house wrapped around them like a cocoon, and for a moment, Sophie felt at peace. She leaned back, her fingers still threading through his hair, and whispered, "I love you, Ethan."

The words slipped out before she could stop them.

Ethan stirred slightly, a faint smile playing on his lips, even in sleep.

Sophie's heart clenched.

Her feelings for him grew stronger every time she was with him. And now, the realization hit her harder than anything else.

She loved him.

Why did that thought feel both so hopeful and so painful at the same time?

She continued watching him, tracing the lines of his face, memorizing the way he looked when he was finally at peace. Slowly, her own eyes grew heavy, and before she knew it, she had drifted into sleep, lulled by the comforting rhythm of Ethan's breathing.

*******

The next day, at Sinclair Enterprises, Ethan sat at his desk, staring blankly at the pile of documents in front of him. The heavy workload assigned by his father kept him occupied from early morning until late at night, leaving little time for anything else. His office felt like a prison.

But today, he felt surprisingly refreshed. Sophie's presence last night had made a huge difference. Even sleeping on that uncomfortable couch, he had managed to get the best sleep he'd had in a long time—far better than in his own expensive bed.

Ethan's mind frequently drifted to thoughts of Sophie. He missed her so much that he had to restrain himself many times from getting into his car and going to her. He wanted to kiss her, but how could he when all she wanted was him and he couldn't even give her that? It was a bittersweet reminder of their situation.

The sound of his phone buzzing snapped him out of his thoughts. He glanced at the screen and saw yet another email from his father, Robert, filled with more tasks and deadlines. Ethan's frustration bubbled to the surface. The relentless pressure from his father and the company's demands felt suffocating.

His phone buzzed again, this time with a message from Sophie. He opened it and read her simple words: Thinking of you. Miss you.

Ethan's heart ached. He typed a quick reply: Miss you too. I'll be home as soon as I can. He stared at the screen for a moment, then put the phone down, feeling the weight of their separation even more acutely.

Jessica knocked on the door and entered, carrying a stack of reports. "Ethan, these need your review by the end of the day."

Ethan sighed, rubbing his temples. "Thanks, Jessica. I'll get to them."

As she left, he leaned back in his chair, closing his eyes for a moment. How many more days did he have to do this for?

The door to his office opened again, and his father stepped in, his presence as imposing as ever. Ethan already felt the impending dread settle in his chest. "Ethan, I need those reports finished today. No excuses."

Ethan's frustration peaked. "We are working on them, Father. We just need a bit more time."

Robert's eyes narrowed. "Time is a luxury we can't afford, Ethan. You need to prioritize the company."

Ethan clenched his fists under the desk. "I am prioritizing the company, but I also have a life outside of it."

Robert scoffed, unimpressed. "You think you can balance both? This company requires your full attention. If you can't handle it, maybe you're not cut out for this job."

Ethan's jaw tightened. "I can handle it. But you're making it impossible." He exhaled sharply, running a hand through his hair. "For goodness' sake, you're stressing me out."

His father's expression remained cold and unyielding. "Just get those reports done and stop wasting time."

As his father left, Ethan sighed deeply, he took a deep breath, trying to gather the strength to face the rest of the day. Just a little longer, he told himself. Just a little longer.

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