Putting an End to It

**Liandra**

When I got home, the silence felt more deafening than any argument that could have taken place at the restaurant. I went straight to my room, shutting the door as if it could shield me from the avalanche of problems about to fall.

I knew my parents were likely furious over the public humiliation I had caused our family. As I tried to find some semblance of comfort, I found myself pacing the room, replaying every detail of that disastrous night. Breaking off the engagement wasn’t just a split between me and Petros; it was another blow to the already fragile relationship between me and my parents.

After hours of tormenting thoughts, I decided there was no way I could continue living in this house. The shame was unbearable, and the only way out seemed to be leaving it all behind. I started packing a few bags, and stuffing in clothes and personal belongings.

"I’ll work. I’ll live like any normal person, relying only on my job," I thought. It wouldn’t be easy, but I had no choice.

When morning came, I gathered the courage to go down to the dining room. I expected to find my parents grim-faced, ready to confront me about the disgrace I had brought upon us. I rehearsed apologies in my mind, though I knew nothing I said would make them understand my reasons.

I entered the room prepared for the worst, but I was met with something completely unexpected. My father, Plínio, was smiling—a sight I hadn’t seen in months. My mother seemed equally at ease, almost cheerful. Slowly, I sat down at the table, as though stepping onto unfamiliar ground.

“Good morning, Liandra,” my father said, his voice carrying a serenity that immediately put me on edge.

“Good morning…” I replied hesitantly.

I picked up a cup of coffee, trying to decipher the cause of their good mood. There was no way they could be pleased with what had happened the night before.

Finally, Plínio broke the silence, as if eager to clarify everything at once:

“Now that we’ve signed the merger with the Kouris family, everything is settled for us.”

I choked on my coffee, looking up at him immediately.

“What do you mean?” I asked, my voice louder than I intended.

“Petros invited me to sign the documents last night. The merger is finalized, and our financial situation is stable again.”

I felt confused, almost dazed.

“But…”

I couldn’t finish my sentence. I couldn’t understand why Petros had gone through with the merger when he had no reason to anymore. The engagement was broken, and I had made it clear that there would be no relationship between us.

My mother chimed in, her tone slightly irritated by my confusion:

“Petros is a businessman. He knows how to separate personal matters from business. The engagement was a personal agreement, but the merger benefits him too.”

“What your mother is trying to say,” Plínio added, “is that even though the wedding hasn’t happened yet, it’s just a matter of days. Within a week, you’ll be married.”

He didn’t tell them about the breakup?

I sat there in silence, trying to process it all. While I spent the night sleepless, blaming myself and planning my escape, Petros carried on as though nothing had happened, solving my family’s financial problems without hesitation.

Part of me wanted to feel relieved, but the other part was consumed with frustration. He had taken away the only control I thought I had over the situation—the chance to leave without loose ends. Instead, he had not only secured my family’s future but also demonstrated that he could keep playing his power games while leaving me to deal with the emotional fallout.

I took a deep breath, trying to contain the torrent of emotions surging through me.

“So, you’re… happy?” I asked, looking at my parents.

My father nodded firmly.

“Happy and grateful, Liandra. You did what was necessary to save this family.”

I didn’t respond. I could only stare at the coffee in my cup, trying to reconcile the emptiness this so-called "victory" left in my chest. A mixture of anger and frustration compelled me to stand up.

“Aren’t you going to finish your coffee?” Júlia asked.

“I have something urgent to take care of,” I replied without giving any details.

Going to Petros’ house was a decision made in the heat of the moment. I needed to confront this head-on, to make him understand that I wasn’t a pawn on his chessboard. The breakup was final, and he couldn’t just act as if nothing had happened—as if he still had control over my life and my choices.

When I arrived at the Kouris mansion, a wave of unease washed over me. I took a deep breath before ringing the doorbell.

One of the staff members led me to the library, where Petros was with his parents. I hadn’t expected to find Orion and Lídia Kouris there, and their presence made me hesitate for a brief moment. It was as if the entire setting conspired to make me feel out of place. But I wasn’t there to back down.

“Liandra, dear!” Lídia stood to greet me with a smile that seemed far too genuine for the circumstances.

I returned the gesture politely but coldly. Before I could direct my attention to Petros, Lídia made a comment that completely threw me off balance:

“We’re so sorry about the breakup, especially with the wedding so close. I hope you two reconsider.”

My heart leapt in my chest, and for a moment, I was at a loss for words. She knew? I was certain Petros would never have told them about the breakup. He seemed like the type to maintain appearances until the very last second, especially with his family.

Before I could respond, Orion stepped in, his tone calm but firm.

“Lídia, I think this is a matter for Petros and Liandra to resolve on their own.”

Lídia looked slightly displeased but nodded with a smile, offering one last piece of advice:

“I just hope you’ll think it over. You two make such a beautiful couple.”

With that, Orion gently guided his wife out of the room, leaving me alone with Petros at last.

He remained seated, his expression impassive, as though he had been expecting this confrontation. The way he looked at me, unhurried and emotionless, only fueled my anger.

“What are you trying to do, Petros?” I demanded, crossing my arms and keeping my tone firm. “I broke up with you. I made that very clear. I won’t let you keep manipulating my life.”

He leaned forward slightly, resting his elbows on his knees as if carefully analyzing every word I said.

“Manipulating your life?” he repeated with calm provocation. “I don’t know what you’re talking about, Liandra.”

“Don’t play dumb!” I shot back, stepping closer. “You didn’t tell my parents the truth. They’re still acting as if we’re together, as if there’s still a wedding to plan.”

Petros stood up slowly, his imposing height adding weight to the moment.

“Wouldn’t it have been your place to tell your parents about the breakup?” He tilted his head slightly, a faint smile forming on his lips. “I told my parents, Liandra.”

His words had struck a nerve, but I couldn’t let it show.

“I’m not running away from anything, Petros, if that’s what you’re trying to imply.”

He took a few steps closer, his irritating calmness still present in every movement.

“You told your parents? Surely not,” he said, letting out a humorless chuckle.

“Yes, I told them everything.” My voice was steady, even though it was a blatant lie.

For a moment, he remained silent, simply observing me. Then his smile vanished, replaced by something that almost resembled… respect.

“If you’re determined, Liandra, I won’t stop you.”

I was surprised by his straightforward response, but I didn’t let it show.

“Good. That’s all I needed to hear.”

Without waiting for anything else, I turned and began walking toward the door. But before I could leave, I heard his voice again, quieter this time, almost as if he were speaking to himself.

“I fell in love with you too, Liandra.”