Cindy stepped closer, refusing to let the conversation end.
"So that's it?" she asked. "After everything between us, you're just going to walk away?"
Elian looked at her.
"I think we should."
Cindy's expression hardened.
"You loved me first."
"I know."
"You came back to me."
"I know."
"Then why are you suddenly acting like I'm the only problem?"
Elian sighed.
"Because this isn't about blaming you."
He looked toward the ocean.
"I made my own choices, Cindy. Nobody forced me."
Cindy's eyes became glossy.
"You said you still had feelings for me."
"I did."
"And now?"
Elian was silent for a moment.
"I don't know."
Cindy stared at him.
He continued.
"But I know what I feel when I think about Cherry."
Her face fell.
"I feel ashamed."
He swallowed.
"Because she trusted me, and I betrayed her."
Cindy shook her head.
"You don't have to feel guilty. She already left you."
Elian's expression tightened.
"That's exactly why I feel guilty."
He looked directly at her.
"She didn't leave because she stopped loving me. She left because I gave her a reason to."
Cindy didn't respond.
Elian stepped back.
"I need time to figure myself out."
Cindy reached for his hand.
"Elian, don't leave."
He gently pulled his hand away.
"I'm sorry."
Then he turned and walked toward his car.
Cindy remained standing by the water, watching him leave.
Her expression slowly changed.
The softness disappeared.
She clenched her fists.
No.
She wasn't going to accept losing him that easily.
Not after getting him back once.
Not after believing Cherry was finally out of the way.
That Evening — Haynes House
Cherry sat alone on the balcony, watching the sky slowly darken.
She had been unusually quiet since the breakup.
Mrs. Jennie had noticed, but she didn't pressure her.
A few minutes later, Nicklaus stepped onto the balcony with two cups of tea.
"I brought you this."
Cherry looked up.
"Thank you."
He handed her the cup and sat beside her.
For a while, they simply watched the sunset.
Then Nicklaus spoke.
"You don't have to pretend you're okay."
Cherry gave a small smile.
"I'm not pretending."
"You're stronger than you think."
Cherry looked at him.
Nicklaus continued softly.
"Whatever happens with Elian, don't let it make you question your worth."
Cherry lowered her eyes.
"I don't."
"Good."
He smiled.
"You deserve someone who chooses you without hesitation."
Cherry remained quiet.
Nicklaus didn't push the subject further.
Instead, he changed the conversation, telling her a ridiculous story about something that happened at work.
Cherry couldn't help laughing.
For the first time in days, the sound was genuine.
Nicklaus watched her smile.
He smiled too.
But deep inside, his feelings were becoming harder to hide.
And Cherry still had no idea how much he wanted her to eventually see him as more than just family.