en's

ying to understand the man she had spent three years dating. Her eyes were red, her

ce trembling. "We've been together for three years. Doe

ression neutral. "Three years doesn't change why we got

amilies wanted us together. That doesn't mean we couldn't have made i

said. "I never wanted this relationship. I was clear

eturned to the confidential technology project that had occupied my team for months. Information about t

oject Nexora?" I asked directly, watch

her composure breaking. "Lucien, please. Let

have the access logs, the forwarded emails

she cried, tears now spilling over. "They told me it was just for

e was doing, even if she hadn't fully understood the consequences it

cold. "Not just as a partner, but as someone I allowed into

rs trembling. "Lucien, please don't do this. We ca

ouch me. "Don't come looking for me agai

t time in three years, I was finally free of a relationship I'd never wanted, free of an arrange

na's

had carried my feelings for him quietly, hiding them behind friendship and shy smiles. I had admired his ki

the versions in my head. Some ended happily with him smiling, some e

per. He looked up from his book, his expression warm an

You look nervous," he said

em behind my back. "There's something I've wanted to tell you for

which only made my heart beat faster. "Of course.

you for three years. I know this might be unexpected, but I couldn't

hear my own heartbeat echoing in my ears. Then his expression

ould be lucky to have you," he said gently. "But I don't feel the

tely to hold back. "I understand," I whispered, even though I didn't un

That would be cruel to you, and you do

nting me for months, the question I dreaded most but

g away for a second, guilt crossing h

y, my throat dry and

" he said, his voice low with guilt. "It's c

ted honesty, and he had given it to me. I had no right to demand an

ing out. Outside, rain poured from the dark sky in heavy sheets. I ran across the campu

I sank into the loneliness I had tried so hard to avoid. Three years of hoping, imagining, a

en's

forget. Valentina's betrayal had left me angry, but underneath that anger wa

one standing alone in the middle of the field. A girl, soaked completely, her

figure in the rain. For a moment, I considered driving away. Her pain was

me reach for the umbrella in the back seat. I stepped into the rain and walked

, blocking the downpour. Her tear-filled eyes lifted to mine, surpris

ing a stranger from the storm, while the rain soaked through my c

e middle of that empty field with a stranger cryi