Chapter 25: Happy moments shattered

Milie's POV.

Alan was different.

I had casually mentioned the café once, and he didn't even hesitate.

He just turned the car around like it mattered, like I mattered.

He was always like that. Paying attention and showing up.

We were still laughing when we reached the café, heading inside, when my phone buzzed.

Daxton: You get home?

My steps slowed—a small knot formed in my chest.

After last night, the way he broke down, the last thing I wanted was to hurt him again.

For a second, I almost said, " Let's just go back."

But then I looked at Alan. He was relaxed, smiling, like he'd been waiting for this moment too.

And something inside me pulled toward him. I wanted this with him, for him.

I typed back instantly.

Milie: Not yet

Milie: Stopped to grab food. Was starving

Milie: I'll text you once I'm home

I slipped the phone into my back pocket before he replied.

For a while, I didn't want to think about anything else.

"Table by the window?" Alan asked.

"Yeah, perfect."

He pulled out the chair for me.

I laughed. "You don’t have to do that."

"Why not?" he said, sitting across from me. "You're a girl."

I raised a brow. "You really think I fit into that category?"

He smirked. "You pretend you don’t."

"I'm basically one of the guys," I said. "Ask anyone."

"That’s what you show people," he replied casually. "Doesn’t mean that’s all you are."

My fingers stilled for a second. "You don't know anything."

"Your drunk version told me enough."

"I'm leaving."

I half-stood, but he caught my wrist lightly.

"Relax," he said, smiling. "I’m kidding."

I sat back, narrowing my eyes.

"You're loud, rude… honestly, most people wouldn't last five minutes with you."

I blinked. "Seriously? At least say ten. Five is insulting."

He laughed. I tried to stay annoyed, but failed, and laughed too.

"But if no one else can tolerate you," he added, leaning back, "that's even better for me."

"Oh really?"

"Yeah," he said, meeting my eyes. "Gives me better chances to win you over."

"Alan."

"What?" he said innocently. "Liking you is crime now?"

I shook my head, pushing his shoulder lightly. "You’re impossible."

"And you're still here," he shot back.

Time slipped faster than I expected. We talked, argued, laughed, as if nothing heavy existed outside those walls.

For a while, I forgot the hospital. Forgot the fear. Forgot everything.

We returned home and parted with a small hug.

"Text me when you get to the hospital," he said.

I nodded. "I will."

As I entered, I walked to my Mom in the kitchen.

"Mom, you okay?" I asked, hugging her from the side.

She nodded. "Yeah, I'm fine. Dad is gonna be fine, too.

I nodded even though fear hadn't left.

"No need to rush to the hospital," she said. "Sleep for a while. Dad will be resting anyway."

She left, and I tried to sleep after a shower, but I couldn't.

The house was quiet, too quiet. Usually, I loved it, but today, it felt suffocating.

Negative thoughts clouded my head, and tears slipped without permission.

Ding Dong. The doorbell chimed.

I wiped my face and opened the door to find Alan.

"Hey," he said, holding out a small box. "Nana made sandwiches. Thought you might want some."

I looked down. "Thanks…"

"Mils, you okay?"

"I'm fine."

"Look at me."

I did. And just like that, I broke down.

"Hey… hey," he said, pulling me into a hug.

I didn't resist. I held onto him tightly.

"I never thought…" my voice shook, "what if something happened to my parents..."

He didn't rush me. Didn't interrupt. Just held me. "I will have no one left."

"You don’t have to go there," he said quietly. "Nothing’s happened. And it won’t."

I shook my head against his chest.

"I lost my dad," he continued. "It wasn’t easy. But… life doesn’t stop. You learn to carry it."

I pulled back slightly.

"My mom still misses him," he said. "But she keeps going. Because she has to."

His hand came up, gently cupping my face.

"Your Dad's not going anywhere, okay?"

His thumb brushed my tears away. "Okay?"

I nodded and, without thinking, leaned into him again. He buried me in his arms, his hand caressing my hair.

He didn't let me stay alone then and took me to his place.

His family welcomed me as if I belonged there. It felt warm and safe.

His Mom insisted I take her room to rest, so I lay down while texting with Alan.

Alan: Get some sleep. I'll take you to the hospital after.

Milie: It's okay. Dax is coming to pick me up.

Alan: Alright.

Alan: And… btw, thanks for this morning.

I smiled faintly.

Milie: Thank you for everything.

Alan: Okay, this is getting too formal.

I let out a small laugh and fell asleep before I could reply.

I woke up to my phone vibrating. I ignored it again and again until a hand gently shook me.

"Mils… wake up."

I jolted up, panicked. "Dad—I’m here—"

"Hey, it's me," Alan said.

I blinked, trying to focus. "I need to go to the hospital."

"Yeah," he nodded. "I guess Daxton’s here for that. He’s been calling for a while."

My heart dropped. I grabbed my phone. Several missed calls from him.

I called back. He declined. I did again. He declined.

My chest tightened. I jumped off the bed and rushed out. Didn't even listen to Alan calling me.

"Dax!" I called as I saw him leaving.

He kept walking. I ran after him, grabbing his arm. "Dax, I've been calling you—"

"You could’ve called earlier," he said, not looking at me.

"He came to check on me. I wasn't okay. I... I just broke down. That's it."

"You could’ve said no," he snapped. "And called me."

His voice cracked slightly.

"I've always been there for you. Haven't I?"

"You still are," I said, my voice shaking. "But this just… happened. I didn’t plan it."

He laughed bitterly. "Where’s that Milie who couldn’t breathe without me?"

His words hit hard. Then, his gaze shifted past me.

I turned. Alan stood a few steps behind.

"Mils…" Alan started. Something in me snapped.

"Alan, why are you here?" I said, sharper than I meant. "Please go."

He froze. "I just—"

"Hey," Daxton stepped in, voice firm. "We appreciate what you did. Really. But this isn’t your place."

Alan's expression hardened slightly.

"I'm not here to cause trouble," he said, calm but firm.

"Then don't," Daxton replied.

"Enough," I cut in, turning to Alan. "Please. This is between us."

That was it. Something in his eyes fell.

He nodded once. Didn't argue. Didn't defend himself. Just stepped back.

Then he bent down and placed my flip-flops on the floor.

"You'll hurt yourself," he said quietly, like that was still the only thing that mattered. He then walked away.

Guilt crashed into me instantly. I clenched my eyes shut, running a hand through my hair.

"Alan…" I whispered.

But he didn't stop. Why would he?

He showed up for him, and I dismissed him badly.