5. The Doubts

Despite her growing feelings for Alex, Rose couldn't shake off the nagging doubts that lingered in the back of her mind. She couldn't help but compare him to Jon, wondering if she was moving on too quickly, or if she was just settling for someone else.

As she lay in bed one night, staring up at the ceiling, she couldn't help but think about Jon. He had been her first love, and despite the pain of their breakup, she still had fond memories of their time together.

She wondered if she was being unfair to Alex if she was holding onto the past instead of giving him a chance to build something new with her. But the more she tried to push the thoughts aside, the stronger they became.

She decided to talk to Emily about it, hoping that her friend could provide some clarity. Emily listened patiently as Rose poured out her doubts and fears, offering a sympathetic ear and a shoulder to lean on.

"I think it's natural to have doubts," Emily said. "You went through a tough breakup, and it's normal to compare new relationships to old ones. But you have to remember that Alex is his person, and you can't hold him responsible for Jon's mistakes."

Rose nodded, realizing that Emily was right. She couldn't keep living in the past, holding onto what could have been with Jon. She had to give Alex a chance and let their relationship develop on its own.

Over the next few weeks, Rose tried to push the doubts aside, focusing on building her relationship with Alex. They went on more dates, exploring new places and trying new things together. Rose found herself laughing and smiling more than she had in a long time, feeling like she was truly moving on from the pain of her past.

But despite the good times, the doubts still lingered. They would creep up on her at the most unexpected moments, leaving her feeling confused and unsure.

One day, while they were out for a walk in the park, Alex sensed that something was wrong. He took her hand and looked at her with concern in his eyes.

"Is everything okay?" he asked gently.

Rose hesitated for a moment, unsure of how to answer. She didn't want to hurt him or make him feel like she wasn't fully committed to their relationship. But she also didn't want to keep hiding her doubts.

"I just...I don't know," she said, her voice trembling slightly. "I'm trying to move on from my past, but it's hard. I can't help but compare you to Jon sometimes, and it's not fair to you."

Alex's expression softened, and he squeezed her hand reassuringly. "It's okay," he said. "I understand that it takes time to heal from past relationships. I'm here for you, no matter what. And I'm not Jon. I'm me, and I care about you."

Rose felt a sense of relief wash over her as she looked into Alex's kind eyes. She realized that she had been putting too much pressure on herself, and their relationship. She had to be willing to let go of the past and trust that things would work out in their own time.

As they continued their walk through the park, Rose felt a renewed sense of hope and determination. She knew that there would still be doubts and challenges ahead, but she was willing to face them with Alex by her side. And for the first time in a long time, she felt like she was truly moving on.