Chapter 270: Not Accepting a Breakup

Lucas watched Aria handle everything with cold professionalism, never once glancing his way, and finally panicked.

How could he have been so stupid to do such a thing?

Lucas rushed forward desperately, reaching out to grab Aria's hand, his tone frantic.

"Aria, I was wrong! I really know I was wrong! I shouldn't have doubted you, shouldn't have gambled with your stage! I truly regret it—I was possessed, I wasn't thinking straight. Please forgive me one more time, okay?"

Everyone around watched his desperate pleading with no sympathy, only sighs and indifference.

If he'd known it would come to this, why did he do it in the first place?

All the damage was real, and second chances weren't infinite.

Aria shifted slightly, avoiding his touch, her eyes calm and detached.

"No need to apologize, Lucas. It's too late. I've forgiven your immaturity and insecurity, understood your sensitivity and self-doubt, but I'll never forgive your repeated harm again. I'm exhausted. It's over. I don't want to continue anymore."

Lucas understood Aria's personality well enough.

Once she made a decision, she almost never turned back.

He wanted to say more, but Aria was done listening.

The lawyer completed all termination procedures on the spot—signatures, seals, legally binding.

Lucas and the violating lead vocalist were officially terminated by the orchestra, publicly disciplined within the school, entered into their records, and held liable for team losses.

Afterward, everyone gradually dispersed, and the lively backstage finally quieted down.

The overwhelming applause and praise from earlier felt like a brief dream.

Aria packed up her performance gown and sheet music, ignored Lucas, turned and left.

She'd already applied to withdraw from the orchestra. From now on, she had no relationship whatsoever with the orchestra or with Lucas.

She thought this was a complete break, but she underestimated Lucas's obsession.

Over the next three days, the entire school buzzed with gossip about them.

Everyone knew the truth—knew Lucas had gambled the school's honor and a hundred people's hard work to manipulate his girlfriend for his own selfish desires, knew he'd been forcibly terminated, entered into records, his future permanently stained.

Once brilliant and unmatched, the orchestra's core talent, overnight he'd fallen from grace, becoming the school's laughingstock.

Lucas locked himself in his apartment for three full days without appearing, refusing food and drink, completely cutting off all outside contact.

Outsiders assumed he was ashamed and remorseful, too humiliated to show his face.

Only he knew clearly—he felt little guilt, only towering resentment and mad obsession.

He refused to accept the breakup.

Absolutely refused.

In his mind, he'd been with Aria so long, helped her through her lowest points, accompanied her through countless tedious, painful left-hand rehabilitation sessions.

He'd even given up invitations from top orchestras, turned down countless excellent opportunities for personal advancement.

Throughout, his entire life had revolved around Aria.

He'd sacrificed so much, given up so much—why should he end up with nothing?

Why should Aria, after achieving success and glory, be able to casually erase all his efforts with a stroke?

He thought it unfair, thought Aria cruel and heartless, burning bridges.

Three days of isolated brooding didn't make him sober or repentant—instead, it let his obsession grow madly, becoming completely twisted.

He convinced himself Aria was just temporarily angry, just momentarily blinded by Larry's life-saving grace.

As long as he humbled himself completely, showed total sincerity in apologizing, then laid out all his years of sacrifices and dedication.

Let her see clearly just how much he'd given up for her, how much he'd sacrificed—she'd surely soften, surely come back.

She'd always been soft-hearted. Countless times before had been like this.

This time would surely work too.

On the fourth morning, Lucas left early.

He ran all over the city buying all of Aria's previously favorite niche desserts, picked her favorite white balloon flowers, and purchased a limited-edition sheet music ornament she'd once mentioned but couldn't bear to buy.

Two large bags full of items, carefully and beautifully packaged by him.

He adopted his most docile, humble demeanor, eyes bloodshot, face haggard and exhausted, and stationed himself outside Aria's apartment door.

He didn't dare disturb her, just stood quietly in the hallway, waiting from dawn to afternoon—six hours straight.

At noon, sunlight blazing, Aria finally finished simple home vocal practice, changed into casual clothes and headed out, planning to go to the rehabilitation center for routine left-hand therapy.

The moment she stepped outside, she saw Lucas standing in the hallway.

In just a few days, he'd become completely haggard, eyes full of bloodshot veins, chin sprouting dark stubble. The clean, upright youthful air had completely vanished, leaving only wretched desolation.

Yet even so, Aria's heart remained utterly unmoved.

The instant Lucas saw her, his eyes lit up.

He immediately hurried forward, carefully blocking her path, afraid of startling her, his posture humble to the extreme.

He held out the gifts with both hands, his voice hoarse and dry, carrying deliberately softened gentleness.

"Aria, I've been waiting for you so long. I know you're still angry. I'm not forcing you to forgive me immediately, not forcing you to get back together right away. These are all things you like—I bought them for you. Will you accept them? Let's talk properly, just once."

"I was too immature before. I fully admit my mistakes and I've truly changed. I'll never do anything to hurt you again."

He lowered his head, his posture extremely humble—a completely different person from his arrogant, accusatory, truth-twisting self backstage.

If it were before, seeing him like this, Aria would have already softened and compromised, unable to help comforting him.

But now, after experiencing those arguments, her heart had long gone cold.

She lowered her eyes, her gaze sweeping over the exquisite flowers and gifts without the slightest emotion, her tone cold as ice, completely devoid of warmth.

"No need. Take them away. We've already broken up—there's no point in further entanglement. I won't accept your things, won't discuss any personal matters with you. Lucas, from now on we'll each be well. Stop pestering me."