Chapter 6
Lucas opened the door to his apartment and stepped inside first, turning on the living room light before turning to me. “Come in,” he said softly.
I follow his lead silently, letting the room’s warmth envelop my still–tired body. It was the first time in years that I felt safe, without having to walk on the embers of the fire I’d always kept to myself.
I stand in the doorway for a few moments, gazing around Lucas‘ apartment. The room isn’t huge, but it’s cozy. There are no memories of Damien. No sounds of Selene’s fake laughter.
No wounds that I must continue to bear.
I walked over to the couch and plopped down on it, letting my head rest. The wounds on my body were painful, but nothing hurt more than the fact that Damien never really loved
- me.
Lucas glanced at me briefly, before taking off his jacket. “There’s no need to think about things that give you a headache.” He said as he walked into the kitchen. “I’ll get you some
water,” he continued.
I just nodded without really caring. I could hear his footsteps heading towards the kitchen, the sound of glasses clashing with the table, but my mind was still filled with the events of last night.
Five years.
Five years of being with him, thinking that I was someone who mattered. That even though he didn’t announce our relationship, he still loved me. But as it turned out, I was just a temporary replacement, his lost love.
I clenched my fingers. When Selene returned, I didn’t even have a place by her side anymore. Was Damien just waiting for me to leave all this time? Did I never really exist in
his heart?
I sighed as I shook my head vigorously. I was such an idiot!
Lucas returned with a glass of water and sat next to me. He held out the glass wordlessly, and I accepted it with a slow nod.
A few moments passed in silence before he finally spoke up. “You know, Thea. You should have left that jerk a long time ago.”
I turned to him, giving him a glance before letting out a long sigh. “You’re right, but I don’t know why I stayed.”
Lucas looked back at me, raising one eyebrow. “Because you’re stupid.”
I glanced at him sharply. “Lucas.”
“What? You don’t accept it? I’m just telling the truth.” He said as he leaned back against the sofa, staring at the ceiling with an annoyed expression.
I looked straight ahead. There was nothing wrong with what he said.
“Look, I was suspicious of Damien from the start. No normal man would hide a
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relationship for five years if he loved his partner. And you, Thea, let that happen,” he said as he folded his legs and turned towards me, one hand resting on the back of the sofa.
I fell silent. His words hurt, but I couldn’t deny it.
Lucas let out a long sigh, before looking at me seriously. “Your family doesn’t even know about your relationship. The only one who knows is me.” He said as he shook his head. An annoyed chuckle escaped his mouth as he returned his gaze to the front.
I pursed my lips and looked at him. “You’re not my family, Lucas.”
Suddenly Lucas turned back to me with a surprised expression. “What?”
I smiled a little. “You’re my best friend, not my family.”
Lucas looked at me with an increasingly annoyed expression as he said, “You don’t have a heart, Thea.”
I chuckled softly, although there was still a residual pain in my chest. Seeing his annoyed expression somehow made me feel a little lighter.
Lucas snorted and leaned his head back against the sofa. “God, I don’t know why I’m still friends with you.”
I glanced at him, before sighing again. My laughter slowly disappeared, replaced with a serious expression.
I ran my fingers over the glass that was still half full, feeling the cold water on my skin. “Lucas.”
“Hm?” he replied without turning around.
“I’m getting out of here,” I said with great conviction.
Lucas turned his head quickly, his expression turning serious. “What do you mean?” he asked, sounding confused.
I took a deep breath. “I decided to move abroad. I can’t stay here anymore. I don’t want to see Damien or Selene,” I replied with a serious face.
Lucas was silent for a long time, before finally speaking up. “Are you serious? Have you thought it through?” he asked again. I saw a hint of worry on his face.
I nodded firmly. “I’ve been thinking about it since Selene came back into our relationship. I’ve had enough, I’ve endured my foolishness. It’s time for me to leave and restart my life, Lucas,” I replied as I looked deeply into his face.
Lucas looked back at me intently and then, rubbed his face with one hand as if he was holding something back. “I don’t agree. But, I’m also happy that you want to let it go.”
I smiled a little. “Better late than never, right?” I said as I raised both eyebrows as if to say that I was fine.
Lucas shook his head lightly, but I could see the corners of his lips lift slightly. “All right, Thea. I’ll help you.”
I looked at him happily. “Thank you, Lucas.”
Lucas shrugged. “Don’t thank me. I just don’t want to see you go back to being a fool,”
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I chuckled, but this time there was something different. There was relief. There was
freedom in me.
こ
I lean my back against the sofa, staring up at the ceiling of the apartment that suddenly feels more spacious than any room I’ve ever lived in with Damien.
For the first time in a long time, I felt a little lighter.
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Damien’s POV.
