Chapter 5: I’ve Moved On
537 Words
Camille stared at John’s message for several minutes.
John: I know you probably hate me, but please let me explain. I owe you the truth.
John: I never stopped looking for you.
She closed her eyes and took a deep breath.
Five years ago, those words would have meant everything to her.
Now?
She wasn’t so sure.
Camille had spent years rebuilding herself after their breakup. She had survived the heartbreak, the sleepless nights, and the endless questions that never seemed to have answers.
Most importantly, she had learned how to live without him.
Her fingers hovered over the screen before she finally typed.
Camille: John, I don’t think there’s anything left to explain.
She stared at the message before pressing send.
A few moments later, her phone vibrated.
John: There is, Camille. Please.
She shook her head.
No.
She couldn’t do this.
Not now.
Not when she had finally found happiness.
Not when there was someone else in her life.
Taking a deep breath, she typed another message.
Camille: What happened between us was a long time ago.
Camille: I’ve already moved on.
The typing indicator appeared immediately.
Then disappeared.
Then appeared again.
As if John was struggling to find the right words.
Finally, a message arrived.
John: Have you really?
Camille frowned.
Without hesitation, she replied.
Camille: Yes.
For the first time since he contacted her, she felt confident.
Certain.
At least, she wanted to be.
Another message appeared.
John: Are you happy?
The question caught her off guard.
Her thoughts immediately drifted to Ethan.
His smile.
His patience.
The way he always made her feel safe.
The way he loved her without asking for anything in return.
A small smile formed on her lips.
Camille: Yes, I am.
This time, John’s reply took longer.
When it finally came, her chest tightened.
John: Is there someone else?
Camille looked out the window of her apartment.
The city lights sparkled in the distance.
For a moment, she remembered being a college student, dreaming about a future with John.
A future that never happened.
But that girl no longer existed.
She wasn’t the same person anymore.
And neither was he.
Determined to make that clear, she typed the truth.
Camille: Yes.
Camille: I’ve been in a relationship for two years.
A long silence followed.
So long that Camille wondered if he had finally given up.
Then his reply appeared.
John: I see.
Just two words.
Yet somehow, they felt heavy.
Painful.
She stared at the screen, waiting for him to say something else.
But nothing came.
Minutes passed.
Then another message appeared.
John: Does he make you happy?
Camille smiled despite herself.
Camille: Very.
She thought that would finally end the conversation.
Instead, John’s next message made her heart skip a beat.
John: Then why did you answer my messages?
Camille froze.
Her fingers stopped moving.
Because he was right.
If she was truly over him…
If the past no longer mattered…
Why was she still talking to him?
Why hadn’t she blocked his number the moment she realized who he was?
For the first time since John reappeared in her life, Camille found herself unable to answer.
And deep down, that frightened her more than anything.
- Writer
