The silence between them stretched.
Longer than it should.
Heavier than anything before.
Zhen Wei stood still, his eyes locked on Lian Hua.
As if waiting.
Hoping.
For her to take it back.
She didn't.
"…say something," he said quietly.
Her lips parted slightly.
But no words came.
Because there was nothing left to say that wouldn't hurt him more.
That was enough.
Zhen Wei let out a slow breath.
Then—
He laughed.
But it wasn't warm.
"So this is how it ends?" he asked.
Lian Hua's chest tightened.
"It doesn't have to be like this," she whispered.
He looked at her sharply.
"Then how does it have to be?"
She didn't answer.
Because she didn't have one.
Zhen Wei took a step back.
For the first time—
He created distance.
"You said you chose me," he said.
"I did."
"And now you're choosing to leave."
Her hands trembled slightly.
"I'm choosing what's best for you."
"I never asked you to do that."
His voice wasn't loud.
But it was sharp.
"I asked you to stay."
The words hit harder than anything else.
Lian Hua looked down.
Because if she looked at him—
She might break.
"I can't," she whispered.
Silence.
That one sentence—
Was final.
Zhen Wei didn't move.
Didn't speak.
Didn't try to stop her again.
Because now—
He understood.
She had already made her decision.
"…fine," he said finally.
The word was quiet.
But cold.
"If that's what you want."
Her heart tightened.
"It's not what I want."
"Then don't do it."
"I have to."
Another silence.
This time—
Colder.
Zhen Wei's expression changed.
Not just hurt anymore.
Something deeper.
Something harder.
"Then go," he said.
Her breath caught.
Because this time—
He didn't sound like he would stop her.
Not now.
Not anymore.
Lian Hua's chest felt tight.
But she didn't move.
Because moving—
Would make it real.
"Go," he repeated.
Softer this time.
And that—
That hurt more.
Slowly—
She turned.
Each step felt heavy.
Like she was leaving something behind.
Something she didn't want to lose.
But believed she had to.
The bell rang as she stepped outside.
And just like that—
It was over.
Inside—
Zhen Wei stood alone.
The silence closed in.
His hands clenched slightly.
For the first time—
He didn't follow.
Didn't stop her.
Didn't fight.
Because something in him—
Had cracked.
Outside—
Lian Hua kept walking.
Even though her vision blurred slightly.
Even though her heart felt like it was breaking.
She didn't stop.
Because if she did—
She might turn back.
And she couldn't.
Not now.
Not after everything.