10
Charles saw the disdain in my expression and his face crumpled like he had just taken a punch.
I set my coffee cup down, keeping my voice steady. “I’ve heard your apology. If that’s all you needed to say, you
can leave now. But if you’re hoping I’ll forgive you… I’m sorry. Some mistakes just don’t deserve it.”
His face twisted in desperation. “Sydney, can’t we try again? Please? I’ve changed. I’ll never hurt you again, I promise. Just one more chance.”
I sighed and looked him straight in the eyes. “Charles, stop clinging to the past. It’s over.”
For a second, it seemed like he might argue, but then his shoulders slumped.
His expression shifted, caught between regret and acceptance. Neither of us said anything, the silence growing heavier by the second.
When I stood to leave, Charles jumped up, blocking my way. His voice was more serious this time. “I’m sorry for everything. I know I screwed it all up.”
I met his gaze and softened my tone, just a little. “Go home, Charles.”
“Can I ask you one last thing?” he said, almost whispering.
I hesitated but nodded. “Alright. One question.”
Even though I didn’t feel anything for him anymore, he had been a huge part of my life. I figured I could give him this one moment to get some closure.
“If I had answered your call that day,” he asked quietly, his voice almost breaking, “would things have been
different?”
I couldn’t stop the bitter laugh that escaped me. Did he really think one phone call would’ve changed anything?
He didn’t understand that the years of neglect, the way he brushed me aside, had already broken us. The car
accident wasn’t the reason we ended, it was just the last straw.
I shook my head, exhaling slowly. “Charles,” I said, meeting his confused gaze, “you need to grow up.”
He stood there, blinking, as I slung my bag over my shoulder. My final words came out firm, but calm.
“When you’ve really thought about everything, you’ll realize why asking me that question doesn’t make sense.”
7:38 AM
Goodbye Lover
అ
Without looking back, I walked out of the dessert shop, leaving him standing there.
Charles shouted after me, “Sydney, I know you don’t like me anymore, but as long as you’re not married, I still have a chance, right?”
I just shook my head and blocked out his voice. Honestly, I couldn’t care less. After that day, I didn’t see him
again–guess he finally gave up and went back to Tianara.
Things on my end were looking up. My career was going great and the higher–ups at the head office were
starting to pay attention to me.
I went back to Tianara for the company’s annual meeting.
Gregory gave me a shout–out, saying the branches he set up were originally just for strategic reasons, but I
ended up doing so well that he decided to give me shares in the company.
After the meeting, I went home to visit my parents. This time, I wasn’t alone. I brought a guy with me.
His name was Eric Craig. We started as business partners, but over time, things shifted. We clicked in ways that
went beyond work and we ended up dating.
I never planned on rushing into marriage, but Eric was determined to visit Tianara with me for Christmas, so I brought him home.
My parents were a bit shocked at first, but once they saw how fluent he was in Tianaraan and how sweet he was to me, they warmed right up to him.
The day after we arrived, it started snowing. Eric and I stood in the yard, holding hands.
He said, “When I was a kid, I heard this old story, that if two people in love get caught in the snow together, they’ll be together forever.”
A year later, Eric and I were back in Tianara, planning our wedding. My friends were all excited and showed up to
celebrate with us.
While we were catching up, I found out that Charles and Jenna had split up a while ago. It didn’t affect me at all, but I guess it was a little surprising.
They said Jenna had pressured Charles into marrying her, but he never wanted it. Out of anger, he released some private videos of hers.
When Jenna found out, she lost it and stabbed him three times. Those videos spread quickly and before long,
Jenna became a pariah.
Every time she went outside, people pointed fingers at her. She ended up staying home, hiding away from the
world.
As for Charles, he was being investigated for leaking the videos. His trial was still going on, but it was clear he would be heading to prison soon. In revenge, he exposed the fact that Jenna had stabbed him.
Now, both of them were stuck in their own mess, just waiting for the inevitable arrest.
I couldn’t help but sigh. Just two years ago, they were so close and now they were tearing each other apa
(The End)
