Chapter 82 Conditions Applied

Chapter 82 Conditions Applied
Daxton's POV

The phone vibrated for what felt like the hundredth time. Milie called me, and I hung up instantly. 

She kept calling me until I finally switched it off. Because I already knew how that conversation would go.

She would apologize. She would cry. She would tell me she never wanted to hurt me.

And somehow… I'd end up forgiving her.

Not because the pain would disappear.

Because I had never learned how to stay angry at Milie.

I always told myself I was okay with Alan. But I was never okay with him around us. 

And it was never about Alan. I would have reacted the same way if any other boy had been there.

The thought of someone linking Milie's name with another boy had always driven me insane.

I knew it wasn't reasonable. I knew it wasn't healthy.

Yet I couldn't stop. And now… after calling her my girlfriend… After dreaming about our future...

After imagining a lifetime with her… How was I supposed to accept suddenly— She loves someone else?

Sammy's words refused to leave my head. 

She tried to stay away from Alan. She tried to choose you, but her heart just couldn't.

Why? That single question kept echoing. Why couldn't my love become enough?

Why him? Why not me?

What did Alan have that I never could?

The room blurred again. I pressed both palms against my eyes.

Still the tears found a way through. "I wasn't enough..."

The words came out before I realized I had spoken them.

"I loved you with everything I had..."

"So why wasn't I enough?"

Anger exploded inside me. I slammed my fist against the mattress. Then kicked the foot of the bed.

Pain shot through my foot. I barely noticed. The ache in my chest swallowed everything else.

"I trusted both of you..." 

"I loved both of you..."

"So how did I become the only fool in this story?"

A sharp knock interrupted my thoughts. Then another.

"Daxton."

It was Mom.

"I don't want anyone." My voice sounded lifeless. "Please go."

She knocked again. "Open the door."

"I said no."

"If you don't open it," she replied calmly, "I'll have someone remove the door."

Despite everything… I almost laughed. One day, just one day, I want her to understand me, but no… she wouldn't. 

She really could have the door removed. She was that stubborn. 

I rubbed my face, took a deep breath, and limped toward the door.

Every step reminded me of the kick.

I unlocked it, and the moment the door opened— my heart stopped.

Mom stood in front, and Sammy and Milie stood on either side.

Her eyes were swollen. For one second... every instinct inside me screamed to pull her into my arms.

Instead I looked away.

"Children," Mom said quietly.

"Sort this out."

She squeezed Milie's shoulder before leaving.

I turned without saying a word and limped back toward my room.

Behind me, I heard Milie's hurried footsteps.

"Dax..." She caught up instantly. "Your foot..."

Her voice filled with panic. "What happened?"

"Did you hurt yourself?"

"Milie." I didn't even turn around. "Stop pretending like you care."

The room fell silent. Then very softly— "Why would I pretend?"

I finally faced her. Her face was streaked with dried tears.

"I care because I always have. I need you, Dax."

"I miss you."

"I can't imagine my life without you."

Every word stabbed deeper.

Because I believed every single one, and yet, none of them changed the truth.

I laughed. A bitter laugh. "I don't know who you are anymore."

"The Milie I grew up with never lied to me."

"She never hid things."

"She never made me doubt whether I mattered."

Fresh tears rolled down her face. She opened her mouth, but nothing came out.

That silence hurt more than any explanation.

"You made me the biggest fool alive."

My voice cracked. "I trusted you more than I trusted myself."

Sammy stepped forward. "Dax—"

"No." I cut him off.

"Both of you..."

"Please leave."

Milie suddenly grabbed both my hands. Her fingers trembled violently.

"Tell me how." She was crying openly now. "Tell me how I can make this right."

"I'll do anything…. Anything."

"I don't want to lose you. I don't want to lose us."

"Our friendship… Our family..."

"I'll accept any punishment."

My heart wanted to forgive her immediately, but my mind refused.

And one answer rose before I could stop it. "Leave Alan."

The room froze. Milie stopped breathing, and Sammy stared at me.

"I won't ask you to love me."

"I won't ask you to come back."

"But if you want me in your life..."

"You cut him out completely."

"No calls."

"No messages."

"No friendship."

"No Alan."

"You understand, right? What completely means?"

"Dax!" Sammy's voice echoed through the room. "That's unfair."

I looked at him. "No. It's the only way."

"You know she loves him. You know what you're asking."

"I know exactly what I'm asking."

Sammy shook his head. "You'll destroy her."

I laughed. "What do you think happened to me today?"

He had no answer.

I continued. "I can't spend my life watching them together."

"I can't sit across the same table while he touches her."

"I can't pretend I'm okay."

"I can't."

"I won't."

Milie slowly knelt beside me. She rested trembling hands over mine.

"Look at me."

I did. Those familiar eyes… The same eyes that had been home since childhood.

"Please… I promise I'll never make you uncomfortable."

"I won't talk about him in front of you."

"I won't bring him near you."

"I'll protect your space."

"But please... Don't ask me to erase him."

"I can't… I just can't."

Her voice broke completely.

"It would destroy me."

I closed my eyes. Because hearing that sentence confirmed everything.

She wasn't choosing between two people.

She already had. She just couldn't bear losing the other.

When I opened my eyes again, there was nothing left to discuss.

"Then we're done."

I stood and turned away, already walking towards the window. 

Behind me, I heard her sob. "Dax… Please, don't do this."

"I never wanted to hurt you."

"I know." My voice was barely audible. "But you did."

Silence followed, and then Sammy gently helped her stand.

"Come on, Milie. Not today."

"He can't hear anything right now."

Their footsteps moved toward the door.

Milie stopped once more. I could feel it without turning.

"I'll keep waiting." She whispered. "No matter how long it takes."

"I won't give up on you."

The door clicked shut. The room became silent again.

I waited. One second, two, three, hoping she would finally choose me, but she didn't.

And I slid down where I was standing, and let myself scream, feeling a void I never thought I would ever.