Chapter 5 – The Choice

Ava sat alone in her apartment after reading Daniel’s letter again. His words played in her mind: “If love is not enough for you, then I cannot hold you. Money cannot hold your hand when you cry at night.” She held the letter close to her chest and whispered, “Why do I feel like I lost him already?” Her tears would not stop.

The next day at work Henry called her into his office. He looked straight into her eyes and said, “Ava, I have waited long enough. I am not a young man anymore. I want you by my side. I will give you everything. Security. Comfort. Respect. Say yes to me.”

Ava tried to speak, but her lips trembled. She said slowly, “Henry… I don’t know.”

Henry leaned forward. “What is there to know? You have already seen what I can give. A house, cars, travel, wealth. With me, you will never worry again. Look at yourself, Ava. You have lived alone for years. Why keep suffering? Let me take away your pain.”

Ava left his office with her head heavy. She walked slowly back to her desk, but her heart was racing. She thought, “He is offering me safety. He is offering me a life without struggle. But is this what I want?”

That evening, her aunt visited her. The older woman looked at her with serious eyes and said, “Ava, don’t be foolish. You are not young anymore. If a man like Henry wants to marry you, you should not say no. Love fades, but money stays. Comfort matters more than romance at your age.”

Ava listened silently. Her chest felt tight. She whispered in her heart, “Why does everyone tell me money will keep me safe? Why does no one talk about love?”

Later that week, Henry invited her on a weekend trip. He said it was part of business, but Ava knew it was more. They stayed in a luxury hotel. Expensive food was placed before her. Henry smiled and said, “See, this is the life you deserve. You should not waste your time with small dreams. I can make you a queen.”

Ava smiled faintly, but inside she felt a strange emptiness. She thought of Daniel serving her tea in his small shop. She thought of the flower he had once given her, simple but full of love. She closed her eyes for a moment and whispered to herself, “Why does his simple gift mean more to me than all of this?”

That night, Henry placed his hand over hers and said, “Ava, stop thinking. Just say yes. I want to announce our engagement soon. People already know you are special to me. Make it real.”

Ava nodded weakly. Her lips moved but no words came. Her silence was almost a yes.

When she returned home, Daniel was waiting near her door. His eyes looked tired, but he still smiled gently. “Ava,” he said softly, “I had to see you. I cannot pretend anymore. I love you. I don’t have wealth, but I have a heart that beats only for you.”

Ava’s eyes filled with tears. She whispered, “Daniel, please… don’t make this harder.”

He looked straight into her eyes. “Tell me honestly. Do you love me?”

Her lips shook. She said nothing.

Daniel’s face fell. He whispered, “Your silence is louder than any answer. I understand. You have chosen your path.” He turned to leave.

Ava cried out, “Daniel, wait!” But he kept walking. She ran after him but stopped halfway. Her legs felt weak. She fell to her knees and whispered to herself, “Why am I letting him go? Why am I choosing fear over love?”

For days, Ava could not sleep. She tossed in bed and heard Henry’s voice in one ear and Daniel’s in the other. One night she looked into the mirror and said to herself, “What am I doing? Do I want to live with diamonds but no heart? Or do I want to live with love, even if it means struggle? Which pain is greater?”

Finally, Henry made his move. He invited her to a large dinner with company executives. In front of everyone, he raised a glass and said, “I want you all to know that Ava is not only my best employee but also the woman I will soon marry.”

The room clapped. Ava froze. Her chest felt like stone. She smiled faintly, but inside she screamed. She thought, “This is it. I am trapped now.”

That night when Henry dropped her home, he looked at her and said, “You belong with me now. Don’t look back.”

Ava walked inside her empty apartment. She threw herself on the couch and cried. She whispered, “I belong to no one. My heart still belongs to Daniel. But I am too afraid to admit it.”

The next morning, she woke with swollen eyes. She read Daniel’s letter again. She held it to her chest and said out loud, “Daniel, I miss you. I need you. But I don’t know how to be brave.”

Her phone buzzed. A message from Henry: “We will talk about our wedding date tomorrow.” Ava’s hands shook. She whispered, “Tomorrow? Am I ready to give up my heart tomorrow?”

She looked around her silent home. She thought of her late husband. She thought of his love and how much it had once given her life. She thought of Daniel’s love, waiting and pure. She thought of Henry’s wealth, bright but cold.

Her tears fell again as she whispered, “Love gives life. Money only buys things. Why can’t I choose what my soul needs? Why am I choosing what my fear wants?”

That night Ava sat alone until sunrise. Her face was pale, her eyes empty, but inside, a storm was building. She knew she was standing at the edge of the biggest choice of her life.