Chapter 85 The last Morning

Chapter 85 The last Morning
Milie’s POV

It was 6:30 in the morning when my alarm beeped.

I had never needed an alarm to wake up. That had always been Mom’s job.

But over the past few weeks, I had adopted several new habits.

Waking up on my own was one of them.

With my eyes still closed, I sat up. Then a familiar voice yelled from somewhere near my pillow.

"Wake up, lazy Milie. Your employer is not going to tolerate this attitude of yours."

I half-rose, rubbed my face, and forced myself out of bed.

Today was the day… The day I was leaving home.

The day I was taking the biggest step toward the life I had promised myself.

I rolled out of bed and headed toward the hall.

The smell of fried food immediately filled my nostrils. Every light in the house was already on.

The television was running quietly in the living room, even though nobody was watching it.

Mom and Alan’s Nana were standing by the kitchen counter, preparing snacks.

Grace, Aunty, and Dad were checking things inside my bags, probably for the tenth time.

I stopped at the entrance. My eyes filled instantly.

"How am I going to live without them? In less than an hour, I would leave my house, my parents, my friends… And Alan."

The thought hit me harder than I expected.

I had known this day was coming. I had spent weeks preparing for it. I had convinced my parents.

I had arranged everything. I had told myself a hundred times that I was ready.

But standing there and looking at everyone together made me realize something.

Leaving was going to hurt… A lot.

I was probably going to cry the moment I reached the new city.

But I couldn't back out now.

I had chosen this. I had to go.

"Milie, you woke up, darling?” Dad called when he noticed me standing there. “There’s still enough time if you want to sleep a little longer."

Grace Aunty looked at me with a warm smile.

I tried to smile back, but the knot in my chest wouldn't let me.

Mom turned around. “No sleeping now. Come sit with us for some time.”

I nodded quickly, trying desperately to control my tears.

"Where is Sammy?"

I asked it only to distract myself. But my voice came out shaky.

"Alan and Sammy went to get breakfast," Mom replied. "They'll be back soon. We'll all eat together. Go brush and come."

Her words barely registered. My heart was too busy fighting against itself. "Not now. Please. Cry after you reach there."

"Please, just hold it together until then."

I pressed a hand against my chest and wiped my eyes quickly. It didn't help.

“Are you okay?” Grace Aunty's voice came from behind me.

I turned. She was already standing there, gently rubbing my back.

I shook my head. The tears escaped anyway.

Grace aunty immediately glanced toward the kitchen before pulling me into a quiet corner.

"Don't be weak, dear."

I looked at her through wet eyes.

"Your Mom and dad may look strong, but they aren't."

She wiped my cheeks. "This was your decision. If you give up now, they won't let you go."

I sniffed, and she cupped my cheek. "You can do this, Milie."

Her smile was warm. “You're not the same girl you were a few months ago.” I swallowed.

“You're stronger now.”

I nodded slowly and took a deep breath. “Thank you, aunty.”

I hugged her tightly. “Thanks a lot.”

She patted my back. “Now go. Before your mother sees you crying and cancels your entire plan.”

I laughed weakly. Then hurried into my room.

For the past two weeks, convincing my parents had been another battle altogether.

They had rejected my idea of leaving home almost immediately.

Mom had been convinced that I was making the decision because of Daxton.

She had even asked him to talk me out of it.

He had promised he would. But he never came.

When I finally told him myself, he had looked at me with that unreadable expression and said— "Your life. Your wish. All the best."

I still remembered how those words had felt. Like a door quietly closing.

It was Alan who eventually helped me convince my parents.

First, he told both families about our relationship.

Then he stood beside me and explained why the internship mattered.

The company. The experience. The independence. The opportunities.

He assured my parents that he would make sure I was safe and supported.

It was because of Alan's confidence and the way he presented everything that my parents finally gave me their permission four days ago.

So I couldn't become weak now.

If I did, Mom would immediately ask me to cancel everything.

I shook my head. "No. I'm going for myself, for Dad, for Alan."

"And maybe, in some strange way, for Daxton too."

I picked up my phone. My fingers automatically opened our chat.

I stared at his name for several seconds before typing.

Milie: Daxton, I'm leaving in an hour. Please meet me once.

Milie: Even Mom and Dad miss you.

Milie: After this, I promise I won't show you my face for as long as you want.

Milie: Just talk to me once.

Milie: See me once.

Milie: Hug me once.

Milie: Or just let me see you.

Milie: It's been a week. College is over. I haven't seen you or heard your voice.

Milie: I miss you, Dax.

Milie: Please consider this my last wish.

Milie: It would help me survive there.

I hesitated before typing the last line.

Milie: Please, Dax. For your Angel.

A tear fell onto my screen. I didn't wipe it. I pressed send.

Then I waited. For the blue ticks, for the typing indicator, for anything. Nothing.

For the past few weeks, I hve tried everything. I had messaged him every morning. Every night.

I had tried talking to him at college.

Sometimes he ignored me. Sometimes he was rude. Sometimes he walked away without even looking at me.

And sometimes I swallowed my pride and followed him anyway.

I wanted my Dax back, not because I needed him to forgive me immediately.

I simply wanted my best friend, but I stopped the day Sammy had told me the truth.

He said Daxton wasn't only hurt because I loved Alan. 

He was hurt because I had chosen Alan despite knowing what it would cost our friendship.

That was what he couldn't understand. He repeatedly asked Sammy, ‘If she wants me back so badly, how could she choose him over our friendship?’

I had no easy answer. Because there wasn't one.

I loved Daxton. But I loved Alan too.

And I couldn't keep asking one person to disappear so the other could stay.

Eventually, I stopped forcing Daxton to talk.

If he needed space, I would give it to him. I had to.

Last night, however, my resolve had almost disappeared.

For the first time since the fight, Sammy came over for a sleepover.

Without Daxton, everything felt wrong.

We called him, messaged him, and asked him to come over one last time.

He didn't answer. Still, some foolish part of me had hoped he would show up before I left.

Maybe he would stand at the gate. Maybe he'd hug me. 

Maybe he'd say, "Take care, Angel."

I stared at my phone until my eyes hurt. Nothing happened.

I tossed it onto the table and turned toward the bathroom when someone knocked on the door. 

"Milie, may I?"

"Alan." I quickly wiped my face. "Just a second."

I took a few deep breaths before opening the door.

Alan peeked inside. The moment his eyes found mine, his expression softened.

He closed the door behind him and walked toward me. "You cried?"

I shook my head. “Not much."

"Missing Daxton?"

I glared at him. Seriously? Couldn't he take someone else's name for once?

My lips trembled anyway. "So much."

Alan pulled me into his arms. I rested my cheek against his chest.

He rubbed my back slowly. "Why didn't you tell me?"

I looked up. "Tell you what?"

"That you gave up Daxton for me."

My eyes widened. "Who told you?"

I immediately thought of Sammy. I had specifically asked him not to tell Alan.

"Sammy?"

"No... Daxton."