where everything ends
1067 Words
CHAPTER 16
There are conversations you want to avoid with all your strength because you know that, after them, nothing will ever be the same again.
That morning, all I wanted was to finish my classes and go home. I wanted to rest and get away from everyone. I wanted to be alone. My parents had called to tell me they wanted me to visit them. My little sister was excited to see me, and I missed her so much. The more I thought about it, the more it seemed like a good idea. Maybe spending time with them would help me stop thinking about him. My parents and my sister are the people I love most in this world, and they're the reason I work so hard to continue my studies and give them the life they deserve. It would be a good way to clear my mind.
Then I received a message from Lizy.
"Harper, come to the library. I need your help with an assignment, please."
I stared at the message.
I never imagined it would bring everything to an end.
I headed to the library. When I walked in, Lizy and Lara were nowhere to be seen. Rowan was the only one there, distracted by something.
The moment he looked at me, my body tensed.
I was about to turn around and leave when I heard someone lock the door behind me.
My hands began to shake. It felt as if the whole room were spinning.
He slowly walked toward me.
I wanted to run away, but my feet refused to move.
Rowan stopped a few steps away. His eyes were red, as though he hadn't slept in days.
"Thank you... for not leaving."
I lowered my gaze.
"Don't get the wrong idea. I didn't stay because I wanted to hear you. I stayed because I need to put an end to this once and for all."
He nodded slowly, as if my words hurt him more than he wanted to admit.
"I know. And I'm not asking you to forgive me. I just want you to know the truth."
Silence filled the library once again.
The only sounds were the ticking of the clock and the soft rustling of pages moved by the breeze.
I took a deep breath before looking up.
"You have five minutes, Rowan. After that, I won't listen to another word."
He inhaled deeply before speaking.
"What you saw that day wasn't what really happened."
I remained silent.
"Valeria and I dated years ago. We were just teenagers, but our relationship ended when she moved abroad to study. We never got back together after that."
I lowered my eyes without saying a word.
"That day she asked to meet me. She told me it was important, and I thought she wanted to make things right with you. I believed she wanted to apologize for everything she had done."
He paused, as though remembering that moment still hurt.
"But then... out of nowhere... she kissed me. I pushed her away immediately. Harper, I never wanted to kiss her. Never."
His eyes met mine.
"The only thing I could think about was finding you and explaining what had happened. I never imagined someone had taken that picture at that exact moment."
He clenched his fists in frustration.
"I've been trying to talk to you every single day because I love you. I was never unfaithful to you. I never stopped choosing you."
Tears rolled down my cheeks.
Part of me wanted to believe everything he was saying.
But the other part kept seeing that photograph over and over again.
I slowly shook my head.
"I want to believe you, Rowan... I really do..."
Hope flickered in his eyes.
But I kept talking.
"The problem is... I can't."
His lips parted, unable to say a single word.
"It wasn't just the kiss. It was the pain of believing that the person I loved most could break my heart like that."
I took a deep breath, trying to hold back my tears.
"Maybe everything you're saying is true. Maybe Valeria planned all of this. But the damage is already done."
I looked at him one last time.
"Every time I close my eyes, I'll remember that image... and I don't want to live with that doubt for the rest of my life."
Rowan took a step toward me.
"Harper... please."
I stepped back.
"No."
My voice broke.
"I loved you with all my heart... and maybe a part of me always will."
"But sometimes love isn't enough."
I lowered my eyes, my heart shattered, and spoke the words I had never imagined I would say.
"It's over, Rowan.
What we had ends here."
I turned around before he could answer.
Because if I stayed one second longer, I knew I wouldn't have the strength to walk away.
A lump formed in my throat.
Every part of me wanted to run into his arms, to believe every word he had said.
But the pain was stronger.
I slowly shook my head.
"Do you know what the worst part is, Rowan?"
He looked up at me.
"I believe you."
Hope filled his eyes.
"Then..."
I cut him off before he could finish.
"But that doesn't change what I felt when I saw you kissing another woman."
My voice trembled.
"That day, my whole world fell apart. I felt like the person I trusted the most had shattered my heart."
Tears streamed down my face uncontrollably.
"Maybe you never cheated on me... maybe all of this was just one of Valeria's schemes to separate us."
I took a deep breath.
"But I can't be the same person I was before."
I looked at him one last time.
"Because once trust is broken... it is never the same again."
Rowan took another step toward me.
"Harper... please... don't leave me. I love you."
I closed my eyes for a moment.
"I love you too."
Those words seemed to break him completely.
"And that's exactly why I have to let you go."
I lowered my gaze as a tear fell to the floor.
"It's over, Rowan."
I paused, feeling my heart break into pieces.
"What we had ends here."
I turned around and began to walk away.
I didn't look back, because I knew that if I did...
I would never find the strength to say goodbye.
- Writer
