Page 59 of Worth the Fall

"Mia!" I call, my voice rough with worry. "Mia, are you in there? Please, open the door!"

I press my ear to the wood, listening for any sign of movement, but the apartment is eerily silent.

"Mia," I say again, softer this time, my fist still resting against the door. "If you’re in there, please just let me know you’re okay."

I wait, but there’s nothing.

My mind races with possibilities—maybe she left her phone at work; maybe she got stuck in traffic; maybe…

I shake my head, refusing to let my thoughts go any darker. I grab my phone and try calling her again. Voicemail.

Sliding down to sit on the floor outside her door, I press my head against the wall and exhale shakily.

Where are you, Mia?

The door creaks open, and I jump to my feet so fast my vision blurs.

"Mia?" I say, my heart pounding as the door slowly swings inward.

She stands in the doorway, barefoot and in her pajamas, her face blotchy and swollen from crying. Her eyes are red-rimmed, and her shoulders slump as though the weight of the world is pressing down on her.

Relief floods me for half a second—she’s okay. She’s here. But the relief is immediately replaced by a sinking feeling in my gut as I take in the way she looks at me

"Mia," I say softly, stepping closer. "What’s wrong? What happened?"

I reach out to pull her into my arms, desperate to comfort her, but she steps back, shaking her head.

"No," she whispers, her voice broken.

My stomach tightens. "No?"

Her chest heaves with a shaky breath, and when she finally speaks, her words come out in uneven sobs. "I… I can’t do it."

I freeze, the room spinning around me. "Can’t do what?"

She wraps her arms around her middle as if trying to hold herself together. "Any of it. All of it. You. Felicity. Us."

The words hit me like a freight train. My chest tightens, my breath catching in my throat. I feel dizzy, like the floor is tilting under me.

"What?" I manage to choke out, the word barely audible.

She closes her eyes, tears streaming down her face as her sobs grow heavier. "I’m sorry. I thought I could, but I can’t. It’s too much. I can’t be what you need me to be."

I stare at her, my mind racing but unable to catch up. This doesn’t make sense. This can’t be happening.

"Mia," I say, my voice trembling. "I don’t… I don’t understand. What are you saying?"

She doesn’t answer right away. Instead, she looks away, her fingers gripping the edge of the door like it’s the only thing keeping her standing.

"I’m not ready for this," she whispers, her voice so soft I almost don’t hear her. "I’m not ready for you, for Felicity, for… all of it."

Her words unravel something inside me, leaving behind a hollow ache that feels too big to contain.

"Mia," I try again, my voice breaking. "Please, just… just explain. Talk to me."

She shakes her head, her tears falling faster. "I can’t."

I take a step closer, but she retreats again, her back pressing against the door.

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