Chapter 2 – The Change Begins

Ryan and Sophie’s love was strong. They talked every morning and before sleep. They promised to stay together always. Sophie said once, “Even if the whole world changes, you won’t leave me, right?” Ryan smiled and touched her hand. “Never,” he said softly. She believed him with all her heart. For her, his words were truth.

After college, their lives started moving in new directions. Ryan got his first job at a big company. It was everything he ever wanted. He felt proud and excited. Sophie was happy for him. She told him, “You’ll do great things. I know it.” Ryan hugged her and said, “You’ll see. One day you’ll be proud of me.” But life outside their love was not as simple as before. Work was busy, people were new, and time began to slip away.

At first, Ryan still called her every night. They talked about everything. But slowly, things began to change. He came home tired. Some days he forgot to text. Some nights he fell asleep without calling. Sophie noticed it. She didn’t say much. She thought, He’s just tired. But deep inside, she felt a small fear. That fear grew a little every day.

One day Ryan met a new girl at work. Her name was Olivia. She was confident and always full of energy. She talked fast, laughed loudly, and made people feel excited. She was nothing like Sophie. She often praised Ryan in front of others. She said, “You’re smarter than most people here.” He smiled shyly. He didn’t mean to like her, but he liked the way she made him feel important.

At first, it was nothing serious. They talked during lunch, sometimes shared jokes. But slowly, Olivia started to stay longer around him. She asked about his life, his dreams, even about Sophie. Ryan told her, “She’s my girlfriend. We’ve been together for years.” Olivia smiled and said, “You’re lucky. Real love is hard to find.” Yet her eyes looked different, full of curiosity, full of challenge.

Sophie didn’t know anything yet, but she could feel something had changed. Ryan’s voice on the phone was different — shorter, colder. He didn’t ask about her day anymore. Sometimes he said, “Can I call you tomorrow? I’m busy.” Sophie said yes, but her heart said no. That night she wrote in her diary, “I don’t know what’s happening, but I can feel he’s slipping away.”

Weeks passed. Ryan became more involved in his new world. Meetings, deadlines, people, parties — everything pulled him away. Olivia was always near, always smiling. Sometimes she touched his hand while talking. He didn’t stop her. He told himself it meant nothing, but he liked it. He liked feeling wanted.

One evening, Sophie called him. “Can we meet tomorrow?” she asked softly. He said, “I don’t think I can. There’s a project.” Her heart sank. “Ryan, we haven’t met in weeks,” she whispered. He sighed and said, “I know. I’ll make time soon.” But he didn’t.

Days later, Sophie sent him a small message — I miss you. Hours passed. No reply. When he finally called, his tone was tired. “I’m sorry, I was busy.” She stayed silent for a moment and said, “I hope work loves you as much as I do.” Ryan didn’t know what to say. After the call, he felt a strange guilt inside, but he ignored it.

At night, Olivia messaged him, “Still awake?” He replied, “Yes.” She said, “You sound lonely. You need to live a little.” He smiled at the screen. He didn’t see the danger. Slowly, he was walking away from the person who truly loved him.

Sophie’s days became quiet. She waited for his messages, but they came less and less. She tried to stay strong. When her friend asked, “Are you okay?” she smiled and said, “I’m fine.” But at home, she sat near her phone for hours, waiting for his name to appear. Sometimes she whispered to herself, “Maybe he just needs time.”

Ryan, on the other hand, was busy fighting his own heart. He liked Sophie’s calm love but enjoyed Olivia’s wild attention. He was confused. One night, when he was alone, he looked at his old messages with Sophie. He smiled for a moment, then sighed. “She deserves better,” he said softly. But he still didn’t call her. He just let silence grow.

Little by little, their perfect love started to lose color. Neither of them wanted it, but both could feel it. Sophie still believed they would find their way back. Ryan still thought he had time. But life was already changing.

This was the beginning of the distance — the first slow crack in a love that once felt forever.