Chapter 8
Not long after I arrived at the airport, an announcement came through. My flight was delayed by four hours due to some passengers.
Many people grumbled and switched to another flight, but I wasn’t in a hurry. I decided to wait in the airport lounge.
My home was far from here. After graduation, I had planned to return and build my career there. Plenty of high–paying job offers had come my way even before I graduated. But for Xavier, I turned them all down without hesitation and followed him here.
I didn’t know this city well, but because of him, I grew attached to it.
Now, everything had settled into silence.
As I sat there, trying to figure out how to explain things to my parents, I didn’t notice that the lounge was getting emptier.
By the time I realized something was off, I was the only one left.
I felt a little lost for a moment. There was still about an hour until departure, but outside the glass walls, I saw security staff talking to someone. Thinking it might be an inspection, I stood up.
Just as I was about to leave, the door swung open, and a group of men in sharp suits walked in, each holding an enormous bouquet of flowers.
“Camille, please forgive Xavier. He knows he was wrong and wants to take you home, they declared in unison, their voices filled with emotion.
I frowned. The moment I heard Xavier’s name, I immediately realized this was what he was doing.
The commotion drew plenty of attention.
People whispered among themselves, eyes filled with curiosity and admiration.
6.56 AM ·
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The commotion drew plenty of attention.
People whispered among themselves, eyes filled with curiosity and admiration.
I couldn’t help but think back to the past.
It was Xavier who had pursued me first.
That Christmas Eve, he had arranged a heart–shaped circle of candles, rose petals falling from above.
He stood there, holding a giant bouquet of roses, capturing everyone’s attention. I was overwhelmed, touched, and completely swept away in the moment. Without much thought, I said yes to his confession.
For years, whenever we fought, I would always think back to that night to comfort myself.
But now, I just felt exhausted.
A fleeting moment of excitement had led to years of pain. No matter how I looked at it, it wasn’t worth it.
I didn’t move.
Not even two minutes later, two more figures entered the room.
Who else could it be besides Xavier and Kimberly?
From an angle that Xavier couldn’t see, Kimberly’s face twisted with jealousy and frustration. She shot me a venomous glare. But in the very
next second, she rushed forward and dropped to her knees in front of me.
“Camille, I know I was wrong before. Please don’t hold it against me. Forgive me, don’t leave Xavier.
“Xavier truly loves you. I’m willing to step aside and let you two be together.”
Her words were vague, making it sound as if she were the one suffering the most.
I looked up at Xavier, who stood a short distance away, his eyes filled with urgency.
It wasn’t hard to guess that Kimberly’s reluctant apology was probably something he had forced her into.
I showed a bitter smile.
For the first time, when forced to choose between Kimberly and me, Xavier finally decided to sacrifice her to try and win me back.