Lana's POV
I didn't go far.
Just far enough.
The small apartment felt unfamiliar.
Too quiet.
Too empty.
Too… real.
No memories here.
No laughter.
No him.
I dropped my suitcase near the door and sat on the edge of the bed.
For a long time…
I just stared at nothing.
You left.
The thought echoed.
Not him.
Me.
I hugged my knees, resting my forehead against them.
"I'm fine," I whispered.
But my voice didn't believe it.
My phone buzzed.
Once.
Twice.
Three times.
I didn't check it.
I already knew who it was.
Leo.
My chest tightened.
Don't look.
Because if I did—
I might go back.
Another buzz.
This time, I picked it up.
My fingers hovered over the screen.
Then finally—
I opened it.
Leo: Where are you?
Leo: Lana, please.
Leo: Just tell me you're safe.
My vision blurred.
I quickly locked the phone.
No.
I can't do this.
A tear slipped down before I could stop it.
Then another.
And another.
"I chose this," I whispered.
So why does it feel like I'm losing everything?
There was a knock on the door.
I froze.
My heart immediately betrayed me.
Leo.
I stood up too fast, nearly stumbling.
My hand reached the door—
Paused.
Breathed.
Then opened it.
And my heart sank.
"Hey, Lana."
Kelvin.
Relief and disappointment crashed together inside me.
"What are you doing here?" I asked quietly.
He gave a small, careful smile.
"Leo called me."
Of course he did.
"He's worried about you," Kelvin added.
I looked away.
"I'm fine."
Kelvin didn't argue.
Didn't push.
He just stepped inside slowly.
"This doesn't look like fine," he said gently.
I let out a weak laugh.
"Yeah… well."
Silence settled between us.
Not uncomfortable.
Just… heavy.
"You love him," Kelvin said after a moment.
It wasn't a question.
I closed my eyes.
"That's the problem."
"Then why leave?" he asked.
I swallowed hard.
"Because loving him hurts."
Kelvin didn't respond immediately.
He just nodded slightly, like he understood more than I expected.
"Sometimes," he said quietly,
"people don't leave because they stopped loving…
they leave because they don't know how to stay without breaking."
That broke me.
Tears fell freely now.
Silent.
Unstoppable.
"I didn't want it to be like this," I whispered.
"I know," he said softly.
For the first time since I left…
I let myself cry.