THE SECOND CHANCE LOVE

I Don't Love You

“I’m going to let you go.”

Thud!

Let go? Did Alyssa hear that right? Did Brent just suggest they part ways? Divorce?

So, their story ends here?

What is this? Why is this happening? Alyssa’s heart felt like it was hit by a sledgehammer as those words flowed so easily from Brent’s lips. There was no hint of doubt in Brent’s eyes as he spoke. And, for whatever reason, Alyssa felt truly upset. She couldn’t deny that the pain was beginning to creep into her heart.

Ah, now Alyssa understood. She had been hoping for more from her marriage to Brent all this time. How pathetic.

Brent had seemingly lifted her up to the clouds with his care and sweetness. Now, he was throwing her into a deep abyss without warning or forewarning.

“What do you mean? You want to divorce me?” Alyssa asked, managing to compose herself.

“That’s not it, Alyssa,” Brent denied.

Alyssa shouldn’t have been offended if Brent really wanted to divorce her. After all, their marriage happened suddenly. Initially, they were just two strangers who didn’t know each other. But, to fulfill Mitchell’s request, Brent agrees to marry Alyssa. A girl who was clearly quite a bit younger than him. A girl who probably didn’t meet Brent’s ideal criteria.

“Listen to my explanation until the end, Alyssa. After that, you can be angry or make your decision,” Brent said calmly.

Although she was very annoyed, Alyssa decided to listen to Brent’s explanation. She didn’t want to be seen as too impulsive or childish by just following her irritation and ignoring Brent. After all, Brent was still her husband.

Taking a deep breath, Alyssa then asked, “So?”

Brent took a deep breath, his eyes looking straight at Alyssa. “Alyssa, I don’t love you.”

Those words hit Alyssa like a storm. Tears welled up in her eyes, but she tried to hold back. “What do you mean?”

Brent continued in a softer but still firm voice, “I married you because of pressure from my parents and because I felt sorry for your father, Mitchell. My parents kept pushing me to marry you to fulfill your dying father’s last wish. I had no choice but to comply with them.”

Alyssa felt her entire world crumble. “So, all the attention, all the kindness you showed... it was all just out of pity?”

Brent lowered his head, regretting his decision. “Initially, yes. I tried to be a good husband even though the feelings weren’t there. I thought maybe over time, those feelings would grow. But in reality, they never did, Alyssa.”

Alyssa wiped away the tears that started to fall. “Why are you only telling me this now? Why didn’t you say it from the beginning of our marriage?”

Brent let out a long sigh. “I hoped I could find a way to love you. But it’s so difficult for me, and I feel like we’re only going to hurt each other if we stay together without any love between us.”

Alyssa felt her heart shatter into pieces, but she tried to stay strong. “So, you want us to separate now? After all this?”

Brent shook his head. “Not now. I can’t do it now. I have to wait for the right time. I can’t let you get hurt even more, especially with your father’s condition. We’ll continue this marriage until the time is right to part ways.”

Alyssa took a deep breath, trying to calm herself. “So, what do we do now?”

Brent looked at Alyssa with deep regret. “We’ll keep living this marriage as usual. I’ll still try to be a good husband to you, at least until everything can be resolved in a better way. I just want you to know that I don’t want to keep pretending.”

Alyssa felt a mix of grace and sadness. “Alright, if that’s what you want. I’ll accept it. But you need to know, I once hoped we could love each other, even though now I realize that was just a futile hope.”

Brent nodded slowly, holding back the guilt that was gnawing at him. “I understand, Alyssa. And I’m sorry I couldn’t fulfill that hope.”

Alyssa stood up, trying to strengthen herself. “I’ll go along with this marriage as you wish. But don’t expect me to forget all this easily.”

Brent looked at her with deep remorse. “I never expected that. I just hope we can find the best way to deal with all this.”

Alyssa walked away from Brent’s room, trying to control her emotions. Her heart was still hurting, but she knew this was the reality she had to face. A new chapter in her life might not be easy, but she was determined to go through it with her head held high, without looking back.

...

The next day, as they were sitting together in a corner of the hospital, Alyssa felt Brent’s gaze focused on her.

“Why are you looking at me like that?” Alyssa asked, still with a snappy tone, full of confusion and a bit of anger.

Instead of being offended, Brent just smiled, a smile that made Alyssa even more annoyed.

“Are you angry?” Brent asked calmly, his smile still in place.

“No!” Alyssa refused, her voice rising.

“Oh, really?” Brent challenged, raising his eyebrows with a teasing expression.

Alyssa huffed, trying to control the boiling emotions inside her. “Ck! I’m just worried about you getting sick from overworking yourself. You’re exhausted and should be resting because you’ve been taking care of my dad. But instead, you were working. Can’t your work wait? Health is the priority. I don’t want to end up back in the hospital, this time taking care of you. I’m already stressed out by the smell of medicine,” Alyssa rambled, her voice starting to tremble as she held back tears.

Brent’s expression softened. “I appreciate your concern, Alyssa. Really, I do. But I’m fine. I just wanted to make sure everything was in order. And as for taking care of your dad, it’s something I want to do.”

Alyssa looked away, trying to hide her tears. “Just... take care of yourself, okay?”

Brent nodded, his gaze gentle. “I will, Alyssa. And thank you for caring.”

Alyssa felt a mix of frustration and a strange warmth. Despite everything, despite the pain and confusion, she couldn’t help but care about Brent. And that made everything even more complicated.

Without realizing it, the petite girl had just expressed her concern for Brent. However, Brent only smiled wider, making Alyssa even more confused and angry.

He then grabbed Alyssa's hand, pulling her closer to him. Alyssa was startled, her body stiffening.

Brent had to tilt his head slightly to look up into Alyssa’s large, emotional eyes.

"What-what are you doing?" Alyssa asked, already half-dead with nerves. Her heart was pounding, a mix of anger, fear, and confusion.

Alyssa’s reverie was broken by the gentle touch of Brent’s thumb on the back of her hand. That touch made Alyssa’s heart flutter but also added to her confusion.

Brent noticed a knife cut on Alyssa’s right index finger. His brow furrowed slightly. "Are you hurt?" he asked softly, but there was concern in his voice.

"What?" Alyssa squeaked, her voice barely audible.

Brent looked up again. His eyes, as dark as the night sky, once again gazed at Alyssa intensely, piercing into her heart.

"Thank you for worrying about me," Brent said in a deep tone. Alyssa could feel the sincerity behind those words, but there was also something else, something she couldn't understand.

Alyssa remained silent, stunned. Her feelings were a jumbled mess. She didn't know how to respond. Brent smiled when he saw Alyssa's stunned silence.

"I'm glad if you truly worry about me," Brent added.

Alyssa tried to hold back the tears that were about to spill. "But why talk about separating if you can still be this sweet?" Alyssa asked, her voice shaking with emotion.

Brent looked at Alyssa with deep regret. "Because that's the reality, Alyssa. I can't keep pretending. I don't want us to live a lie. But I also don't want to hurt you more than this."

Alyssa swallowed hard, her eyes red. "So, what do you want? We stay together but pretend? Until when? Until I'm completely broken?"

Brent was silent for a moment, trying to find the right words. "I don't know, Alyssa. I really don't know. All I know is that we have to take this one step at a time."

Alyssa took a deep breath, trying to calm herself. "Alright, if that's what you want. But I couldn't stand still. I'll seek my own happiness, even if it's not with you."

Brent looked at her with eyes full of guilt. "That's the best thing, Alyssa. I just want what's best for you."

Alyssa nodded slowly, but her heart still felt heavy. "We'll see. But one thing you should know, I won't give up easily."

Brent gave a bitter smile. "I know, Alyssa. And I respect that."

To be continued...