Chapter 4

James, ever the calm and collected type, glanced coolly between Danny and me.

As Danny walked over, James almost instinctively moved in front of me, like he was shielding me, so smooth that I barely noticed.

"I'll take you home," James said.

His voice was husky, and his gaze was guarded, barely hiding his wariness toward Danny.

Danny just stood there, staring at James and me in silence. After a moment, he suddenly blurted out my name, sounding all hurt and vulnerable. "Camila, I really missed you."

Danny was never the assertive type.

When we were together, he was always withdrawn and moody, barely ever speaking. Whenever his depression hit, he'd just fall apart, so fragile it broke my heart.

After each episode, he'd come to me like a wounded little animal, curling up next to me with those pleading eyes.

"Camila, did I mess up again? I'm sorry. You won't leave me, right?" he'd whisper, his voice shaking.

Every time, my heart would soften at how helpless he looked.

I'd always tell myself it was just his illness, that he couldn't control himself.

Right then, looking at Danny with his eyes all red at the corners, I realized I felt nothing.

It had only been two months, but those five years together felt like they belonged to another era. That old ache in my heart was just... gone.

It turned out falling out of love really did happen in an instant.

I couldn't even pretend anymore.

Danny noticed how cold I was toward him, and for a moment, shock flickered in his eyes. He shot James an even colder look, and behind those calm eyes, there was a storm raging.

"Camila, do you really not want me anymore?" he asked, his voice choked with emotion.

He turned to me, his voice trembling as he spoke.

Cars and people passed by, but Danny just stood his ground, facing off with us, refusing to move.

Eventually, I gave in and agreed to talk with Danny.

I turned to James and apologized.

James barely reacted, but before he left, he shot Danny a look, then leaned close to me and whispered, "Take care of yourself. People with mental issues can get away with anything, even murder."

I was stunned for a moment.

Danny and I met at a nearby outdoor café.

We sat there for a long time, and neither of us said a word.

I'd checked the time for the fifth time, getting ready to leave, and he finally spoke up, his voice cracking with desperation. "Am I just a burden to you? Is that why you want to walk away?

"Camila, I know I've kept you chained to me for five years. It wasn't fair to you. Even if I ever recover, I'm still messed up in the head. I don't deserve happiness..."

Danny forced a bitter smile, but his eyes were drowning in self-hate and agony.

I'd seen that look so many times before.

But this time, my heart didn't ache for him. I didn't rush over to hold him tight like I always used to.

I looked down, stirring my coffee with the spoon, and out of nowhere, I just felt like laughing.

So I did. I actually laughed out loud.

"Danny, drop the act. You're already better. You can be with whoever you want," I said, not holding back.

I looked him straight in the eye, calmly repeating the exact words he'd said to me that day.

With every sentence, his face went a shade whiter.

By the time I finished, Danny just sat there with his mouth open, trying to say something, but no words came out.

He had no explanation.

Anything he tried to say would just sound hollow.

But me? I'd already let it go.

That first month after I came back, I was a total mess. I couldn't sleep, just lying there every night, spiraling in self-doubt.

I kept asking myself why I was not enough for Danny, what Edith had that I didn't, and how far I would have to go for Danny to love me.

Then, one day, scrolling online, I stumbled across a quote.

It said, [If you hate the smell of smoke, don't waste your time trying to change a smoker. Just find someone who doesn't smoke.]

And that was when it clicked. If I wanted love and marriage, I shouldn't waste my energy trying to make someone love me.

I needed to be with someone who loved me and wanted to spend their life with me.

So absently tracing the scar on my arm, I could look at him and say it, calm and collected.

"Danny, let's not see each other anymore," I said, my voice steady.

Danny's eyes rimmed with fresh tears, and out of nowhere, he brought his fist down hard on the table, his knuckles immediately reddening from the impact.

"Camila, you've with me these five years. I might have lied to you at first, but I did fall in love with you. I've been pouring my heart into planning our wedding..." Danny said, his voice trembling.

As he spoke, he pulled out a red velvet box from his pocket and popped it open. Inside was a collector's pink diamond ring, sparkling like something out of a dream.

He said, voice thick with emotion. "This is the Gibson family's heirloom.

"Camila, you're the only one I've ever wanted to marry!"