Chapter 28 up
Clark sat alone in his car.
The city lights glimmered faintly beyond the windshield, blurred by the night’s mist. His hands still gripped the steering wheel, but his gaze was empty. The image of Nyla—walking away without looking back, without hesitation—haunted his mind relentlessly.
He clenched his jaw.
No anger. No shouting.
Only a silent, hollow defeat.
His phone vibrated on the passenger seat.
Selena’s name appeared.
Clark almost didn’t want to pick it up. But in the end, he pressed the button—not out of desire, but because he was too tired to refuse.
“Clark…” Selena’s voice was soft, careful. “Where are you?”
“What do you want?” Clark replied flatly.
“I was just worried,” Selena said quietly. “You haven’t answered my messages all day.”
Clark let out a hollow laugh. “Since when do you care?”
Selena paused, then her voice trembled slightly. “I know you’re not doing well.”
Clark closed his eyes.
“Can I come see you?” Selena continued. “I just want to make sure you’re not alone.”
Clark hesitated.
But the loneliness inside him was too loud to ignore.
“Come,” he said finally.
Selena arrived thirty minutes later.
She wore simple clothes, her face free of heavy makeup—a deliberately fragile look. Seeing Clark still sitting in the car, she gently tapped on the glass.
Clark opened the door.
Selena immediately hugged him.
The hug was warm, filled with fake empathy, yet enough to let Clark’s defenses crumble just a little.
“I see you,” Selena whispered. “You look so tired.”
Clark didn’t return the hug. But he didn’t push her away either.
“I’ve lost,” he murmured softly.
Selena slowly released him, eyes glistening. “You haven’t lost. You’re just too good.”
Clark gave a bitter smile. “Good? Nyla didn’t even glance back at me.”
Selena lowered her gaze, as if hesitant. “I saw her today.”
Clark tensed. “Where?”
“With Vincent,” Selena replied softly, careful not to cut too deep. “She looked… happy.”
The word was like a knife.
“She didn’t even care that I saw her,” Selena continued. “As if you never meant anything to her.”
Clark exhaled harshly. “I never imagined she could be that cold.”
Selena touched his arm gently. “People change when they feel above others.”
Clark turned sharply. “What do you mean?”
“I don’t want to speak ill of Nyla,” Selena said quickly, feigning remorse. “But… money and attention can make someone forget the past.”
Clark remained silent.
Selena sat in the passenger seat, closing the car door. The small space was now filled with her perfume—soft, calming, a reminder of something familiar.
“You know,” Selena continued softly, “I’ve always been by your side. Even when you were angry. Even when you didn’t see me.”
Clark laughed bitterly. “And look where that got us.”
Selena bit her lip, tears welling. “I’m not perfect. I’ve made mistakes. But my feelings for you are real.”
Clark looked at her.
For a moment, he almost believed her.
“I feel like a stranger to Nyla,” Clark murmured. “She doesn’t need me anymore.”
Selena leaned closer. “It’s not your fault.”
“Then whose fault is it?” Clark asked bitterly.
Selena hesitated, then spoke carefully, “Maybe… Nyla never really loved you.”
The words fell softly—but crushingly.
Clark closed his eyes. His chest tightened.
Selena touched his cheek gently. “I won’t treat you like that.”
Clark pulled his hand away slowly. “Don’t do this.”
“Do what?” Selena asked, startled.
“Take advantage of me,” Clark whispered.
Selena gave a sad smile. “I’m not taking advantage of anything. I just love you.”
The words were spoken again.
But this time, Clark felt something different.
Emptiness.
“I don’t know what I feel right now,” Clark admitted. “I’m just… broken.”
Selena nodded, pretending to understand. “It’s okay. You don’t need to respond.”
She leaned on his shoulder.
“I’m here,” she whispered. “I’m not going anywhere.”
Clark didn’t hug her.
But he let her stay.
In his heart, Nyla’s image appeared again—calm gaze, firm voice, steady steps walking away from him. No tears. No pleas.
That was what hurt the most.
Selena closed her eyes, a faint smile hidden at the corner of her lips.
She knew—
Clark was broken. And a broken man is easy to convince that the wound was caused by someone else.
“Rest,” Selena whispered gently. “I’ll stay with you tonight.”
Clark didn’t answer.