Chapter 60: Heart finally gave an answer

Milie's POV

"Milie." Sammy's voice came out unusually serious. "Since when?"

I didn't look at him. My eyes remained fixed on the dark street below.

I already knew what he was asking.

The answer flashed across my eyes before I could stop it.

The trip, my jealousy, Alan's hand brushing against mine, and the way my heartbeat went wild.

The beach night when we lay beside each other under the stars, his smile, his voice. Ahhh…

I swallowed hard. "I don't know." I said meekly.

"Milie." His voice softened. "I know you know."

I finally turned to him and stared for a while. My eyes were already filling.

"Maybe... since the trip." The words barely left my mouth.

Sammy stared at me. "What?"

"While you were fake dating?" he asked.

I shook my head. "Even before that." My throat tightened.

His eyes widened. "You liked him before the fake dating?"

I lowered my gaze. "I almost told him."

Sammy froze. "What?"

"I almost confessed."

For a moment, neither of us spoke. Then I continued.

"But before I could understand what I was feeling..." My voice cracked. "Daxton confessed."

Sammy ran a hand through his hair. "Oh God."

Tears rolled down my cheeks. "What was I supposed to do?"

"Milie—"

"I got lost in Daxton's pain." I wiped my eyes.

"He was hurting. He needed me."

"And even if I had understood everything back then..." I shook my head.

"You think I would've chosen Alan over Daxton?"

"You think I could've hurt Dax like that?"

"Milie."

"No." I wiped my tears again. "I love Daxton."

The words came out instantly without hesitation.

"Maybe not the way he wants me to."

"Maybe not the way people write about love, but I love him more than anyone."

Sammy looked completely lost. For the first time in years, he didn't have an answer.

But eventually, he spoke. "I don't know anymore."

His voice barely came out. "I don't know what's right."

I looked at him. "You don't even need to understand."

He shook his head. "You love Daxton. I know that."

"But whatever you're feeling for Alan..." He swallowed.

"You can't deny it." The words pierced straight through me.

I immediately looked away. "No." My voice trembled.

"Stop, please. Keep it blurred." My eyes filled again.

Sammy sighed. "I can't keep pretending I don't see it, and neither can you."

I laughed bitterly. "If I accept it..." My chest hurt immensely. "Everything gets ruined."

Sammy looked like someone had punched him. Because deep down, he knew I wasn't wrong.

Nothing about this situation was fair to anyone.

But then something shifted inside Sammy. The confusion disappeared, and he looked determined.

"Milie, we have to tell Daxton."

I immediately shook my head. "No."

"Milie."

"No." My voice came out sharp. "We are never discussing this again. Never."

"But this is wrong."

"Sammy, it will destroy him. He waited for this. He fought for this."

"He loves me, and I won't be the reason he gets hurt."

My voice broke. "Especially now. After he officially announced our relationship."

Sammy's eyes turned red. "And what about you? What about your feelings?"

I smiled, a sad one. "I'll survive."

"Milie."

"I will, Sammy."

I moved closer and poked his cheek. A strange strength was building inside me.

"My dimpled boy is about to cry." He slapped my hand away. "I'm serious."

"So am I." I took a deep breath. "Daxton deserves happiness."

"He spent his whole life adjusting for us. Whatever we wanted. Wherever we wanted to go."

"He never complained. He never put himself first."

I looked at the stars. "Maybe this is one thing we can give him."

Sammy looked away. His eyes glistened. I knew exactly what he was thinking.

This wouldn't end well, not for anyone. But I had already made my choice.

"Please." I squeezed his hand. "Ignore my pain."

"I can't."

"You have to."

Before he could answer, a familiar voice interrupted us.

"Who has to do what?" Both of us turned. Daxton stood near the balcony door. My heart nearly stopped.

For one terrifying second, I thought he had heard everything.

Then he smiled. "Who are we talking about?"

Relief flooded through me, and I quickly composed myself.

"Our favorite person."

Daxton's eyebrows lifted. "Oh? And who is that?"

"You, obviously."

He laughed. "Finally, somebody recognizes my greatness."

I rolled my eyes. "We always do."

His grin widened.

"What's happening downstairs?" Sammy casually asked.

Daxton leaned against the railing. "Alan and Emma are back."

The air suddenly felt heavier. "Oh."

He nodded. "She looks happier."

Something twisted painfully inside my chest.

"And honestly..." He shrugged. "I think Alan might actually give her a chance."

For a moment, the world went silent. I stared at him.

My smile remained, but inside, everything turned upside down.

"A chance." The words echoed inside my head.

Of course, he would. Why wouldn't he?

Emma was beautiful, confident, the kind of girl who knew what she wanted and wasn't afraid to fight for it, unlike me.

And Alan deserved someone who chose him. Someone who didn't keep him standing at the crossroads.

Someone who didn't belong to another boy.

My chest ached so much, but I forced myself to smile. "That would be nice."

Daxton nodded. "Yeah. I think they'd look good together."

Sammy glanced at me. The look in his eyes said everything.

He understood my decision, and every inch of him hated it.

"Honestly," Daxton continued, "the way Alan couldn't see her upset..."

He smiled. "It says a lot."

I looked away and exhaled hard. "It was over. Just accept it, Milie."

"Hey." Daxton nudged my shoulder. "You okay?"

I looked at him, at the happiness in his eyes, at the trust, and at the future he still believed we had.

Suddenly, my pain felt selfish.

So I smiled with a real smile this time. "Yeah."

I slipped my hand into his. "I'm okay."

Then I looked at both of them. "Can we stay here for a while? Just us?"

Daxton's face lit up instantly. "I would love to."

The simple happiness in his eyes spread warmth across my heart. I made my choice once again.

I reached for Sammy's hand and pulled both boys into a hug.

No matter how much it hurts. No matter what my heart wanted.

Some people were worth breaking for, and Daxton was one of them.