No strings attached |(UNDER REVISION)

Chapter 36- Letting go

The guards pulled me further away, my heels scraping against the pavement. "Aiah, please don't walk away from me!" My voice was raw, broken. "I'm begging you-look at me!"

Still, she refused.

Still, she kept moving.

And just like that-

She was gone.

I ran.

I didn't care that my legs felt weak, that my vision was blurred with tears, that my body was already exhausted from fighting.

I ran after her.

The black car sped up, moving away from the church, taking her away from me.

"AIAH!" I screamed, my voice cracking.

I pushed my legs harder, my heart pounding painfully against my chest. The wind slapped against my skin, my breath coming in sharp gasps.

But it was too fast.

The distance between us grew wider.

Still, I didn't stop.

"Aiah, please! Don't leave me!" My voice broke into a sob. "Don't do this!"

The taillights glowed red as the car turned the corner.

I chased after it.

I ran until my lungs burned. Until my legs gave out.

Until the car was gone.

I collapsed onto the pavement, my fingers digging into the rough concrete, my chest heaving as I gasped for air.

She was gone.

For real, this time.

And no matter how much I screamed, no matter how much I begged-

She wasn't coming back.

The world around me blurred. The sounds of traffic, distant murmurs, and the echo of my own ragged breathing faded into nothing.

All I could hear was the pounding of my heart-loud, erratic, aching.

She was gone.

I clenched my fists against the pavement, my nails digging into my palms, my body trembling. This isn't happening. This can't be happening.

A sob tore out of my throat. Then another. And another.

I didn't care who was watching. I didn't care if people pitied me. Let them.

Because in this moment, nothing mattered.

Not my pride. Not the humiliation. Not the shame of running after a woman who didn't choose me.

I had given everything-everything.

And still, it wasn't enough.

A heavy hand landed on my shoulder. I flinched, barely recognizing Sheena's voice as she knelt beside me.

"Mikha..." she whispered, her voice pained.

I shook my head violently. "Sheena, I-" My breath hitched. I can't. I can't breathe.

Stacey appeared on my other side, her arms wrapping around me. "Let's go home."

Home?

Where was home now?

The person who was my home just left me in the street like I was nothing.

"I-" My throat closed up. I have nothing left.

But Sheena and Stacey didn't let go.

They held me as I broke down. As I shattered completely, right there on the cold pavement.