ting through the air like a dagger. His pain was palpable, a raw, unspoken plea that shook her to her core.

t no one could ever take away. She could feel that he truly loved her, and yet, she didn't feel the same way. What

e. Time to

ything wrong," she whispered, her voice soft but fi

? Could she really tell him the truth? That the passion had long faded, that the love she once felt had slipped through her fingers like sand? That Mike had simply become... boring? Uninspiring? That e

idn't

n't cruel enough to scream at him, to lay bare the truth that might crush him beyond repair. So, she chose this-

. why are you leaving me?" Mike's voice cra

ng away. But her hands moved swiftly, pushing him back. His arms fell to his sid

. But I don't lo

belong to a man like him. His strong exterior shattered, revealing the raw, unhealed vulnerability inside. He cried. And all she could do

hat she was the cause. Knowing that she was the one who had let it all die. Her

eaving him to hurt, to scream, to feel the weight of t

regret about their breakup. Was she numb, unable to feel the weight of what she h

g for him, only to discard him when she grew tired of the act? And now, when the inevitable happened, when the truth came

ilent, allowing him to vent. His rage, his grief-it was all a reflection of the love she had faked. But even though he was breaking

dn't stay to watch him release his anger, his frustration. She couldn't risk feeling the slightest hint of guilt,

sense of regret. No second-guessing. No desire to t

her deeply, with all his heart. And yet, she had played him with her false affection. That thought gnawed at he

and Mike Call It Quits." It wasn't surprising to anyone who knew their

delines, celebrated. For them, it meant one thing: Gypsy was back on the market. They could try

grin plastered on her face. One of the fake friends she had kept around-one

dripped with

p pretending you don't care. I know you lik

nd Mike first got together. But now, with the breakup, it was her chance to make a m

. She knew Rona's type all too well. She had learned long ago not to let people like her get to

no filter at all!" Rona retorted,

, Mike and I will be together after a week." Sh

for Rona's sake, that her fantasy would become a reality, so she could at

bound, or worse, like the trash-picker of my old love," Gypsy shot back, raising an eyebrow.

your leftovers. He's still a big catch for me. Want to know why?" Rona lea

e and foolish she looked, clinging to the love of someone who had never cared for her the

s voice was making her uncomfortable, and she feared she mi

ave. She could already feel the weight of the conversation pressing

ointment. "I still wanted to chat with you about Mike-what he likes

a's personal Google, the walking encyclopedia of Mike's life? "Are you serious?" she said, half-amused, half-an

er that Mike had once been Gypsy's, that the love she had was now a memory. All that ma

behind more than just the conversation. She was leaving behind a world of delusion,

t comes to love," Gypsy said, her voice laced with sarcasm. "By the w

, she was over Mike now. Maybe they rea

chasing after him even when I looked like a fool. You wouldn't understand, Gyps, because you've never exp

ds. Tsk. As if she were afraid. Maybe one day she would find her match, but that did

nfo, Gyps. I'll be looking forward t

ails about Mike's likes and dislikes to send to Rona. She h

hat's this?" her best friend,

nding it to Rona," G

's info to Rona?" Melissa

favor, and as a concerned citizen, I'm helping her out. It would be cruel not to." Gypsy continu

to her, reading over w

arts, and now you're playing Cupid for Rona and your ex?" Meliss

usual. "Mel, you're the one who's out of your mind

ng her all this information about him. That way, she'll know exactly what to do to get Mike to notice her. And we both know Ro

she was right-Rona was relentless. And maybe, just maybe, she was helping

, but Gypsy didn't care anymore. The only thing o

her Gmail to send the email. Once it was se

ssa immediately stood up to answer the call. It must have been important becaus

s used to this. She was pretty s

tight hug. She was crying uncontrollably, and Gypsy had no idea what

answer. She just kept crying. The hug was so ti

er down beside her. Melissa continued to sob, and G

ppened?" Gypsy asked, he

s just too much for her to talk about right now. Gypsy didn

blem!?" Gypsy raised her voice,

to when she was going through something. Gypsy couldn't take it anymore. She had always

Melissa murmured weakly, her

ll the comforting words and advice she had given over the years-just so that the next time this happened, she wouldn't have to repeat herself. She could just play it back, sa

rwhelming wave of empathy. She couldn't help but understand her best friend'

way from someone who was clearly not good for her. But Mel

ough she didn't love him the way Melissa loved Tristan. But to see Melissa go through this, to know how deeply she felt for Tristan

't leave her like this, not in this state of emotional turmoil. It was clear that Melissa wasn't herself,

ing without a relationship, and it felt strange. Who wouldn't miss having someone to treat you, to pick you up and

over, but now, she had become pickier. None of them

rush of Gypsy's. However, when she found out he was going to be a doctor, she felt a bit discouraged. It wasn't that she had anything against doctors-act

ld be held at the Ichari's ancestral home. Gypsy hesitated, but wh

und 3 PM, even though the

be going to the party?" Gypsy

st shrugge

ing straight to the

ing? That was the plan, rig

re going to a party. So, we should probably get ready, es

what was going thr

It's just a welcome party for your b

his guests aren't just any ordinary people. We're talking about young bachelors,

e's no engineer there. It's probably all doctors. What else would

rs, if they're not engineers,

eet successful engineers like Clarence Tecson and Trent Ragoza there," M

engineers?" Gypsy's eyes widened with

bout the party or the guys Melissa had mentioned, the idea of