The weight of my decision crushed me like an asteroid I'd once helped Elena hurl into space. I realized I'd made a fatal mistake—ending things out of guilt over my weakness for temptation, the almost-kiss with Valentina, the number exchange with Elaine. I thought it was honorable, sparing Elena from a partner who couldn't control his impulses. But as I lay in my old bedroom at Mum's house that night, staring at the ceiling, regret gnawed at me. How could I have misread this? Elena was my everything—her curves, her laugh, her strength. The age gap never mattered; she was 35, I 22, but our love was timeless. Now, I'd thrown it away.
My phone buzzed on the nightstand—Elena's name lighting the screen. Heart pounding, I opened the text: "I think we should see different people."
The pieces that my heart was reduced to crumbled further. How? So soon? Was she moving on already? Pain lanced through me—sharp, unrelenting. I typed back, fingers trembling: "If that's what you want." No fight. No plea. Just surrender.
The rest of that day, I stayed in my old room—staring at the wall, mind replaying our last moments. Mum knocked softly. "Alex? Dinner's ready. Come eat, love."
"I'm not hungry, Mum," I called back, voice flat.
She opened the door anyway—her face lined with worry, still puffy from her own heartbreak over Dad. "You haven't eaten all day. What's wrong? Is it Elena?"
I sat up—forcing a smile. "Just... a rough day. But how are you? Still thinking about Dad?"
She sat on the bed's edge, sighing. "Every minute. 20 years together, 15 married... and poof. Gone for that woman. But don't change the subject. You two fighting?"
"Something like that," I admitted, not wanting to burden her. "But I'll be okay. You need support more than I do."
Mum hugged me. "You're a good son. But let me help you too. Talk to me."
I shook my head—selfless, comforting her instead. "Let's focus on you. Want to watch that old movie you like? The one with the happy ending?"
She smiled weakly. "Okay. But promise you'll eat something."
We spent the evening on the couch—me forcing down food, her leaning on my shoulder as we watched. But my mind wandered—guilt twisting. I didn't seek my own comfort; Mum had enough pain.
That night, as I lay awake, movement caught my eye from the window. Elena—walking a man into her house. Tall, handsome, laughing at something she said. The door closed behind them.
Rage boiled—hot, blinding. I burst out my window—flying into the atmosphere, screaming into the void. "Why?!" Power surged—violet energy lashing out, destroying several satellites in my fury, debris raining like shooting stars. I caused this, but I didn't want it to happen. I stayed up in space the whole night—alone, stars mocking me, cold seeping into my bones. Thoughts plagued: the man touching her, her moans for him instead of me.
When I returned at 7 a.m., the man was leaving—adjusting his shirt, smiling. Rage boiled again, but I didn't react—landing silently, slipping back inside.
The rest of the day, thoughts of this unknown man fucking Elena plagued my mind. No matter what I did—missions busting a daytime robbery (blasts scattering thieves), gaming to distract, reading old books—the images hit like arrows to the heart. Elena laughing with him, her curves under his hands, her super strength wrapping around him. Guilt and jealousy warred—why did I end it? I didn't deserve her, but losing her hurt more.
Then a text from Elaine: "Hi! Haven't heard from you at all—just checking if you're ok? :)"
Elaine—a stranger, the only person currently who seemed to care. I replied: "I'm sorry, been really busy. How about a catch-up?"
"Sure! Drinks tonight?"
We met at a cozy bar downtown—dim lights, soft music. Elaine looked stunning—yoga pants and top from the supermarket, but dressed up with heels, her curvier figure turning heads. We ordered drinks—beer for me, wine for her—and talked.
"So, tell me about you," I said, trying to distract from my turmoil.
She smiled—warm brown eyes pulling me in. "Brazilian, originally. Moved here for better prospects—graduated top of my class in marketing, now working at a firm downtown. New job brought me to town. You?"
"Local. Tech stuff, mostly." I hesitated, then opened up. "Rough week, actually. Just ended a relationship."
Her eyes softened. "I'm sorry. Want to talk about it?"
Hours passed—conversation flowing. She was engaging, funny—sharing stories of Brazil beaches, her ambitious move. "It was scary, leaving everything. But I needed more. Like you—sounds like you're figuring things out too."
I was in two minds: part wanted to end this, guilt over Elena heavy; part wanted to take things further, the distraction soothing. "You're easy to talk to," I admitted.
She leaned in. "You're sweet. Let's get out of here?"
I don't remember what happened next—the next thing I knew, we were in my bedroom at Mum's house. WTF, I thought. How? Elaine started kissing me—it was like no other kiss, electric, commanding yet soft. Her lips tasted of wine and promise, her body pressing against mine—taller, curvier, stomach flatter than Elena's.
She began to undress—top slipping off, revealing perfect breasts, skin flawless. "Alex... I want you," she whispered, voice soothing.
It all made sense—too much. I interrupted—pulling back. "I can't do this."
She looked shocked. "Why? You want me... I can see it."
"Yes... no. I just exited a relationship. I need more time."
She paused—then smiled, dressing slowly. "Okay. But call me when you're ready." She gave me a deep, passionate kiss—lingering, her tongue teasing mine.
I saw her to the door—mind reeling. As she left, fear built. Elaine was wearing the same necklace as Valentina—a beautiful piece with a golden stone, rare and unusual. It was hard to believe multiple existed. As stupid as it sounded, I was starting to believe Valentina and Elaine might be the same person—or connected.
Guilt crashed harder. What the fuck was that? Again?
At home with Mum, I couldn't face dinner. "Not hungry," I said.
She sensed something wrong. "Alex... talk to me. You've been off all day."
"It's nothing, Mum. Just... tired from work."
She hugged me. "Is it Elena? You two okay?"
"We're... taking a break." The words hurt.
Mum's eyes widened. "Oh, honey. I'm sorry. But maybe it's for the best. She's older... different world."
I nodded—selfless, comforting her instead. "How are you? Still thinking about Dad?"
"Every day. But we'll be okay. Both of us."
That night, I lay awake—thoughts of Elaine, and Valentina the similar effects both women have on me the necklace, something serious was happening right un front of my eyes.