Their eyes met, and for a moment, neither of them said anything. The weight of all the emotions and the tension between them was thick, almost tangible, as they stood in silence, only the sounds of laughter and distant music filling the air.
Finally, Finn broke the silence, his voice low and rough. “I can’t stand seeing you with him.”
Hanna’s jaw clenched, a mix of anger and hurt flashing in her eyes. “How do you think I feel, Finn? Watching you with someone who’s exactly what your parents want for you?”
He flinched, running a hand through his hair in frustration. “You think this is easy for me? I’m trying to do the right thing, to be the person my family expects me to be.”
She let out a bitter laugh. “Well, congratulations. You’re doing a great job. But where does that leave me, Finn? Standing around, watching you make choices that leave us both miserable?”
He looked away, guilt and pain flickering across his face. “I thought I could let you go, Hanna. I thought it would be better for both of us, but…” He looked back at her, his voice filled with desperation. “I can’t. I don’t want to watch you with anyone else.”
Her expression softened, and for a split second, she felt a glimmer of hope. But she quickly pushed it down, shaking her head. “Then you have to make a choice, Finn. Because I can’t keep waiting for you to figure it out.”
He took a step closer, his eyes searching hers. “I don’t want to lose you.”
Hanna swallowed, her heart aching as she met his gaze. “Then don’t.”
They stood there, both of them caught between desire and restraint, the longing in their eyes palpable. But neither moved, each bound by the weight of their own fears and the expectations that had brought them here.
Finally, with a heavy sigh, Hanna took a step back. “If you’re going to make this work with Bella, then let me go, Finn. Stop torturing us both.”
He watched her go, his expression pained, his hand half-raised as if to stop her. But he didn’t.