Part 2

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The call stayed silent for a few seconds.

Then she sighed.

A tired sigh.

The kind that comes from carrying something for too long.

"I don't know how to explain it," she said.

"I talk to you every day... but somehow I feel more alone than ever."

My chest tightened.

But instead of listening...

I got defensive.

"So what do you want me to do?"

The words came out sharper than I intended.

She went quiet.

Again.

"Nothing."

Her voice was barely above a whisper.

"I guess I just wanted you to understand."

Understand what?

At the time, I honestly didn't know.

Now I wish I had.

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The weeks after that felt strange.

Like we were still together...

but already falling apart.

We still texted.

Still called sometimes.

Still said "I love you."

But the warmth behind those words was fading.

One evening she sent me a photo.

It was a sunset.

Orange clouds painted across the sky.

Beautiful.

Her: "Look at this."

I liked the photo.

Then put my phone away.

Hours later she replied.

Her: "You didn't even ask where I was."

I stared at the message.

Confused.

Then another one appeared.

Her: "Never mind."

I didn't realize it then.

But she wasn't talking about the sunset.

She was talking about us.

She wanted me to care.

To ask questions.

To notice things.

To be interested in her life.

And I kept missing every chance.

One night she finally said it.

The words she'd been holding back for months.

"I don't think I can do this anymore."

I froze.

"What?"

She started crying.

Not loudly.

Just quiet tears.

The kind that hurt more.

"I've been trying for so long."

My throat tightened.

"I love you."

She wiped her eyes.

"But loving someone isn't supposed to feel this lonely."

For the first time...

I had no argument.

No excuse.

No clever response.

Because a part of me knew she was right.

"I don't know what else to do."

She looked away from the camera.

"I don't think you love me the way I love you."

Those words hit harder than I expected.

But instead of fighting for her...

I stayed silent.

Maybe I was scared.

Maybe I was confused.

Maybe I thought she'd stay anyway.

Whatever the reason...

I didn't stop her.

And that became the biggest mistake of my life.

The call ended.

And just like that...

So did we.

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The next morning I woke up.

Reached for my phone.

And remembered.

No good morning text.

No missed calls.

No messages waiting for me.

Nothing.

For the first time in years...

She wasn't there.

And somehow...

I convinced myself that was okay.

Maybe we both needed space.

Maybe this was for the best.

Maybe I'd feel better soon.

I kept repeating those lies until I almost believed them.

Then three months later...

I saw her again.

And everything changed.

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To be continued... 💔🏳️‍🌈✨

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