The Accidental Wife (Emily and Julian)

The werks had passed since Rosie, Emily and I went to Disneyland. Ever since that day. Emily and I had been spending a lot of time together. Although I was enjoying the new steps we were both taking. I was also confused. I didn't know how to think clearly about our rela When Mau showed up at her doorstep, I found her seeking refuge in my arms. The way she held onto me took me back to the old days. She was so small in my embrace and all I wanted to do at that time was to protect her.

I stayed the night just like she asked me to, because I didn't want her to be scared of anything. When I woke up the next day, I found that she had prepared breakfast for the three of us. If anybody tried to look at us from the outside, they were going to think that we were a want from me?

I knew that she asked me to give her time when she took care of me while I was sick, but I could feel myself getting weaker. I couldn't take it anymore. I wanted to know what was going on between us. It was hard being in her presence when I didn't know where we stood. Behind closed doors, Emily and I were almost like a couple, yet I couldn't help but notice how Emily would try to make things clear that

we were both nothing but a fake couple. At first, I was glad that I got to be with her even if it was just an act, but the more time I spent with her, the more I realized that I was actually being tortured. She was so close, yet fur.

"What are you thinking about?" Emily's voice snapped me out of my thoughts. I was at her place because we were supposed to have a movie night. after having dinner together; Rosie's wish. The thing was. Rosie fell asleep about an hour ago and it was just the two of u "You're not going to like what I'm thinking about," I warned her, resting my back against the couch.

"Try me." She shrugged. Why was she testing me? I knew that she was stubborn, but now wasn't the right time for her stubbornness,

"I think it's better if I keep my mouth shut." I replied. Suddenly, I felt the need to leave. Staying with her in the same place might result in a fight and I didn't want that.

"I insist," she said, giving me her full attention.

"Fine," I exhaled, turning to fully face her. "What are we, Amelia?" She seemed taken aback by my question, but she was the persistent one, not me. "See. You don't even have an answer to that"

"It's not that I don't have an answer, I'm just.." She stopped talking and looked down.

"It's what? You're confused! You're not sure! Yeah, okay." I rolled my eyes, standing up.

**Julian, that's not how we should discuss this," she said, standing up too,

"I don't need to discuss anything. I need answers. Can you give me that? Can you give whatever we have a label" I was raging from the inside, but I wasn't going to raise my voice at her. I knew how much she hated loud voices. "We are friends. Her tone was unsure, and she evaded looking at me.

"Do we look like friends to your 1 hissed. "Because I don't think friends act the

way we do. Friends don't hold onto each other the way we do. Friends don't kiss each other as much as we do even if it's on the cheek. Friends don't hold hands like we do and don't cuddle on the couch while watching movies." She stayed silent, not seeing anything.

"I know I hurt you, I know I deserve losing you for six years, but what you're doing to me now is emotional abuse and I can't take it." I was fed up.

"I don't mean to abuse you! I only started the whole fake-dating thing because I couldn't handle people hurting you," she defended herself.

1

"Well, it seems like you started hurting me in the process without noticing" I ran my fingers through my

hair in frustration.

"I'm scared, Julian. I'm scared of getting hurt again," she mumbled, sitting down on the edge of the couch.

"And I don't know what to do to make you believe that I won't repeat what I did before. If you can't accept that, then you need to be clear with me. Tell me the truth. Is there a chance for us?" I asked as I stood in front of her.

"I can't give you the answer you want," she said, finally looking at me. For a moment, she seemed young. She was the twenty-two-year-

old girl I married more than eight years ago and I suddenly wanted to do nothing but hug her and tell her that she was always going to have me and I was going to have her back no matter what, but I couldn't. I wasn't mentally okay to take that step. I needed to put my me "Fine, Amelia," I sighed, reaching for my phone that was still on the couch

What do you mean by

w line?

She stood up and I saw panic in her eyes. Why was she doing that to us?

"I'm going to Florida for two weeks. I want you to use this period of time to make up your mind." I told her.

"So you'll be here before Thanksgiving, right?" she asked me and I nodded.

"I don't want you to get me wrong, but please don't contact me unless it's something related to Rosic or if there's any emergency. The two of us need some space" She seemed shocked by my request. "I'll go upstairs to kiss Rosie before leaving." I said and headed upstairs found her asleep. I kissed her forehead and exited the room where I found Emily waiting for me downstairs. "You... You don't Why was it hard for her to say what she wanted? "You don't hate me, do you?" She seemed nervous as her tongue formed the words she wanted to say.

"No, I don't hate you," I told her. I wasn't lying. I couldn't hate her even if I wanted. "I'll see you in two weeks," I said, offering her a small smile before walking out of the door. It didn't skip my notice how she took a step towards me before I walked away, probably expecting agonizing as it was a harsh reminder of the fact that she wasn't mine.