I stared at the ground, unable to summon an answer. Sometimes, life collapses without warning, leaving nothing but rubble.
“It has nothing to do with you,” I replied, my voice cold and distant.
Elliott grabbed my arm, his eyes filled with guilt. “They told me you were only with me for my money. I was angry, I- I didn’t mean what I said, Candice. I wasn’t thinking.”
“It doesn’t matter now,” I said evenly.
But he pulled me into his arms, holding me tightly as though he could rewind time through sheer force. “I was wrong! I was a fool, an idiot. Please, forgive me, Candice. I’ll never doubt you again.”
1/2
Chapter 6
+25 BONUS
I stood stiffly, a wooden doll encased in his embrace. My voice remained detached. “It wasn’t your fault.”
‘No, it was mine. I loved you too much, trusted you too deeply. I made you my sole reliance, and in doing so, I destroyed myself,‘ I thought bitterly.
His face lit up with hope. “You’ve forgiven me, haven’t you? I’ll make it up to you, I swear!”
There was no emotion left in me, just a hollow calm. “Elliott, we’ve already broken up.”
His grip on my arm tightened, his voice pleading “It was a misunderstanding! Can’t we move His grip on my arm tightened, his voice past it?”
His desperation mirrored mine when I had begged him for help, only for him to choose his friends‘ words over mine.
I looked him in the eyes, my voice steady and firm. “Do you just want my forgiveness?” He nodded, his answer simple, too simple.
I stood below him on the cemetery steps, the wind lifting strands of my hair as our gazes locked.
“You weren’t obligated to help me, and I’m not qualified to forgive you,” I said quietly.
I turned to leave, my foot slipping on the uneven step. Before I could fall, I found myself caught, cradled securely in Conner’s arms.
Elliott’s expression twisted, anger flaring like a lion provoked. “You’re refusing me because of him, aren’t you?”
His accusation was absurd, a tantrum from someone who couldn’t bear to lose.
Not wanting to drag Conner into the mess, I tried to pull away, but his arms only tightened. He leaned close, his voice a low murmur against my ear.
“If you want to get rid of him, stay still,” he said.
“But-”
“Trust me,” he interrupted, his words calm but unyielding.
And just like that, I stayed still, rooted by some quiet power in his voice.
When Elliott finally stormed off, I stepped back from Conner’s arms.
“Thank you,” I said, my voice soft but sincere.
“I’m glad I could help,” he replied with a faint smile.
