In public, he often said it was about preserving his image, that he could not afford to appear too intimate.
But at that moment, watching him lose control in front of Ashley, I finally understood.
His so-called sense of propriety was never about self-restraint, it was about the depth of his feelings.
His restraint with me was not a mark of respect or care. It was simply that he did not love me enough.
Tears welled up in my eyes, but I wiped them away with newfound clarity.
I reached for the paper where we had once written our shared wish to be together forever.
With steady hands, I tore it apart, shredding it into countless pieces, each one a fragment of my foolish hopes.
"Darrel, I don’t love you anymore."
The words felt like a release. I let out a long sigh and turned away.
But then I was met with Darrel's gaze, which was a bit reluctant and a bit guilty.
I lowered my head in panic, not wanting to lose the last bit of my dignity in front of him.
But when I see him, the sweet memories of the past still come to my mind unconsciously.
I endured the pain like being pricked by a needle and told myself that I should not cry.