Chapter 134 It’s Over
Mia's POV
“Are you okay?”
I stared at Liam’s message longer than I should have.
For a moment, I smiled. Because even with everything happening, he still thought about me. He still cared.
But just as quickly as it came, my smile slowly faded.
The principal’s words came rushing back, loud and unforgiving, echoing inside my head until it drowned everything else.
Stay away from him… or lose your future. I let out a shaky breath, staring at the screen in my hand as if it could somehow give me the answer I needed.
I felt so stupid for thinking I could fight this. Too naive for believing that loving Liam would be enough.
Stupid for forgetting who I was and where I came from. Because in the end, nothing had changed.
I was still the outcast. I was still the girl who had nothing. Still the girl who didn’t belong in his world.
My fingers tightened around my phone as my thoughts spiraled. I can’t follow my heart, not this time.
Not when everything is at stake. My father’s dream flashed in my mind, so clear it hurt.
All those nights he worked himself to exhaustion… all the sacrifices he made just so I could stay in school… just so I could have a future better than the life he lived.
And me? I promised him I would graduate.nI vowed I would be one of the best attorneys in this country someday. How am I supposed to fulfill that promise if I can’t even finish senior high school?
My vision blurred, and I blinked quickly, refusing to let the tears fall. Then it hit me. A painful, quiet realization that settled deep in my chest.
Liam and I were never meant to be this easy. And right now, being together doesn’t just destroy me, I can’t drag him down with me. I love him too much for that.
The thought alone made my chest ache.
Slowly, I lowered my phone, staring at nothing. If loving him means choosing his future over mine, then I have to let him go even if it breaks me. Even if it feels like I’m tearing my own heart apart.
I closed my eyes, holding onto the only thing that gave me strength. If he really loves me he will wait. And maybe someday, when everything is different and I am no longer the girl who has nothing. We will find our way back to each other.
The thought hurt… but somehow, it still made me smile.
Because even if I have to let him go now, I will always choose to believe in us. But to protect him, I have to be the one who hurts him. Even if it’s the last thing I want to do. I have to break up with him.
My chest tightened at the thought, my heart already aching from a pain I hadn’t even caused yet. I can’t tell him the truth. Because if I do, it won’t just ruin us… it will destroy whatever is left between him and his father.
And I can’t be the reason for that. So I’ll let him hate me. I’ll let him believe that I gave up on us. Even if the truth is I’m only letting him go because I love him too much to watch his life fall apart because of me.
“Hey… I thought you were angry with me. I’ve been waiting for your text.”
Liam’s voice was warm, almost relieved, the moment he reached the table. I looked up at him. For a second… I almost broke. He looked the same. Familiar and safe. The kind of person I wanted to run to, not push away.
I quickly looked down, forcing myself to stay still.
“I’m sorry,” I said quietly. “I’ve just been busy.”
I chose this café because it was far from Suncrest. Far from curious eyes and far from anyone who could recognize us. Or at least, somewhere I thought would make this easier.
“Thanks for coming,” I added, avoiding his gaze.
Liam pulled the chair across from me and sat down, studying my face like he was trying to read everything I wasn’t saying.
“Is everything okay, Mia?” he asked gently.
I nodded. “Yes… I’m fine.” The lie tasted bitter.
I tightened my grip on my bag under the table, gathering what little strength I had left.
“But… we need to end this, Liam.”
The words came out quieter than I expected.
But they were enough. The smile on his face disappeared instantly.
“What do you mean?” he asked, his brows furrowing as confusion filled his eyes. I forced myself to meet his gaze.
“Come on, Liam,” I said, trying to sound calm. “You’re too smart not to understand.” His expression darkened.
“Did I do something wrong?” he asked, his voice softer now, more careful. “Did I hurt you?”
My chest tightened. “No. You didn’t do anything wrong. You loved me, and that was the problem.” But I couldn’t say that. So I shook my head.
“No… but I can’t do this anymore,” I said. “Let’s end this. This… whatever we have.” I swallowed hard, forcing the next words out even though they felt like they were tearing me apart.
“I’m tired, Liam. I’m not happy anymore. It hurts seeing you with Stacy, pretending like everything is normal, like I don’t exist.”
“I thought I could handle it. I told myself it was okay. But it’s not,” I continued, my voice trembling slightly despite my effort to stay composed. “I don’t want this kind of relationship anymore.”
I looked away, afraid that if I kept staring at him, I would lose the little control I had left.
“And… I don’t have feelings for you anymore.”
The moment the words left my mouth, it felt like something inside me shattered. Silence fell between us.
“Mia…” he whispered, shaking his head. “Don’t do this.” I clenched my fists under the table.
“I know you’re just upset,” he continued, his voice breaking slightly. “If I hurt you, I’m sorry. Just tell me what I need to fix. I’ll fix it.” That almost broke me.
Because he was willing and he loved me. And I was the one walking away.
“I’m sorry, Liam,” I said, forcing my voice to stay steady. “It’s over.” I lifted my head and met his eyes, even though it hurt.
“Please… don’t look for me anymore. Don’t call. Don’t text.”
“Mia, no,” he said quickly, his voice filled with panic. “I’m not letting you go like this.” I took a deep breath. Then I said the one thing I knew would make him stop.
“Are you sure?” I asked quietly. “If you really want us to be together… then bring me to your house. Introduce me to your parents. Make me your real girlfriend.”
The moment I said it, I saw it, the hesitation and the fear. The reality we both knew. His face paled. And that was enough. I gave a small, bitter smile.
“See?” I said softly. “That’s exactly what I thought.”
I stood up before he could say anything else.
“I’m tired of being your secret, Liam,” I added. “I deserve more than this.”
That part… at least… wasn’t a lie. I turned around before he could see the tears forming in my eyes.
And I walked away. I didn’t dare look back.
Because if I did I knew I wouldn’t have the strength to leave.