Chapter 4

~ Under the Same Lights~

At the top of the Valaire Building, in the private rooftop garden I rarely visit, it was just me and Lucas.

In front of us, the city lights stretched endlessly far from the noise, far from people.

It was cold up here. But somehow… comforting.

“You really like quiet places, huh?” Lucas asked, holding a cup of coffee.

“Yeah. I think more clearly that way,” I replied. Tonight, it was just the two of us up here.

“…But I’m usually alone,” I added, letting out a soft sigh as I looked out over the city.

“To avoid things?” he asked.

“Exactly,” I admitted. I’ve never denied that sometimes I need space.

“Because of Vergara?” he asked, not missing a beat.

I looked at him. “Lucas…”

I didn’t want to hear that name not because I was bitter.

I just didn’t want to reopen the wound I’d already closed.

“Sorry,” he said, raising one hand in apology. “I’m not trying to pry. I’m just… curious. Why didn’t you let him explain?”

He had a point. Why didn’t I give Eli the chance to speak?

“Because I’m done listening to people who only know how to talk when it’s already too late.”

I said it while looking him straight in the eye. This time, I’d choose myself.

Lucas nodded. Then silence fell between us again not the awkward kind, but the kind where you could sit for hours without speaking.

With Lucas, I felt… at ease.

“Where’d you learn that?” he suddenly asked.

“Learn what?” I asked, eyebrows furrowed.

“That strength.”

“Oh, that?” I smiled though I didn’t really feel like smiling.

“From pain… from yesterday.”

Just as I said it, something unexpected happened.

The rooftop door swung open.

We both turned, startled by the sudden arrival.

“Whoa, sorry! I didn’t know anyone was up here,” said a familiar voice.

Eli Vergara.

Lucas and I exchanged looks.

I kept calm.

Lucas raised an eyebrow.

“We’re not done talking, Celine,” Eli said.

And judging by his tone he was determined.

“Actually,” I answered, “we’ve been done for a long time.”

“Just give me five minutes,” Eli pleaded.

But for me? No.

There was nothing left to talk about.

He hurt me. I’ve already heard enough.

Whatever we had—it’s over. There’s no more space for his explanations.

“Make it three,” Lucas cut in, eyes still locked on him.

~ No Answer to the Question ~

“Three minutes,” Lucas cut in, his eyes never leaving Eli.

“Can you give us a moment just the two of us?” Eli replied, directing it at Lucas.

“Fine,” Lucas said, smirking slightly.

Eli turned to me and finally spoke.

“Celine…”

“If you have something to say, then say it,” I told him, voice firm.

“I’ve changed, Celine,” Eli began.

“I know I hurt you, and I’m sorry. I just… I hope you’ll give me a chance to explain everything.”

“I’m not the same woman who cried at the altar,” I replied.

“…I’m not the same girl you left behind. I’ve changed too, Eli.”

He stepped closer, holding an envelope, and offered it to me. I didn’t take it just stood there.

“This has everything,” he said. “The truth. All the answers to your questions.”

Lucas said nothing, just stood silently off to the side, listening.

I still didn’t take the envelope. I stayed where I was.

“I didn’t run because I didn’t want you,” Eli continued. “Something happened that day something unexpected…”

“Don’t start with the drama, Eli,” I cut him off.

“As far as I’m concerned, we’re over.”

“…Three years, Eli. Three. Years!” I said, my voice cracking with the weight of everything I had held back.

“I know… I hurt you so badly,” he said, his face filled with regret.

“And?” I snapped. “What do you want, Eli? To mess up my life all over again?”

He went quiet, exhaled slowly. I could see it in his eyes he was hurting.

“I didn’t come back to cause trouble. I came back because… I still can’t forget you.”

Lucas finally stepped in, his voice cold.

“Maybe that says more about you than it does about her.”

“Man, can you back off for a second? Let us talk!” Eli’s voice rose.

“And what if I don’t want to?”

They locked eyes. Neither of them said a word.

Tension hung thick between the three of us.

So I stepped in.

I looked at Eli.

“You know what really hurts?” I said. “It’s not that you left me…

It’s that you didn’t fight for me.”

“I’m sorry, Celine. For everything. Just one chance, please… let me explain, so you can understand,” Eli begged.

But I was stronger now.

I wasn’t the same Celine who was easy to sway with apologies.

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