Victor sat in his car, staring at the dark street ahead while his thoughts clashed like a storm in his mind. He felt like he had lost everything, like the entire world had turned against him. He didn't know where to go or what to do, but one thought consumed him: He had to find her.
He started the engine and drove aimlessly through the city streets, as if they might somehow offer him an answer. But deep down, he knew the only answer he needed wasn't out there—it was with Emma... who had vanished.
He found himself at the park where they used to meet, the place that held some of their happiest memories. Parking the car, he stepped out slowly and sat on one of the benches. He pulled out his phone again, hoping she might have changed her mind and replied to at least one of his messages.
But there was nothing.
Minutes passed—maybe even hours—before he stood up again. This time, he found himself at Lara's apartment, Emma's closest friend. He knocked on the door with a heavy sigh, while his mind screamed: What are you going to say? Do you really think she'll help you after what happened?
But he had no other choice.
Lara opened the door, and the moment she saw him, her expression changed. It wasn't anger—it was disappointment, and it was painfully clear.
"What do you want, Victor?" she asked coldly, as if speaking to him was already a waste of time.
He swallowed hard. His voice felt trapped, but he forced himself to speak:
"I want to know where Emma is."
She let out a bitter laugh—not amused, but full of restrained anger.
"You want to know where Emma is? After everything? After you broke her?"
"I swear, I didn't..."
He stopped. The words felt meaningless. She wouldn't believe him. Even if he tried to explain everything, it wouldn't matter.
He lowered his head for a moment, then looked back up, his voice quieter this time:
"Please, Lara... just tell me—is she okay?"
She looked at him for a long moment, as if trying to read his soul, before finally answering calmly:
"She's gone, Victor. She left the city... and maybe this time, for good."
It felt like she had stabbed him straight in the chest. Gone? Emma was gone? How? When? Why didn't she even give him a chance to explain?
But he couldn't ask. He couldn't speak another word.
Lara didn't wait for a reply. She simply closed the door slowly, leaving him alone in the cold night, staring at the closed door—as if his whole life had shut with it.
At that very moment, Emma had made her choice. Leaving wasn't easy, but she felt nothing could ever go back to the way it was. What she saw in that apartment had broken her beyond repair, draining all hope of return.
She couldn't stay—not after that. The betrayal, the pain, the emptiness... it was too much. In the days that followed, everything became blurry for her—even the city itself. She chose to leave, to get away from everything tied to that memory.
She traveled far, not knowing what she would find, only that she needed to find herself again. She didn't tell anyone where she went—not even Lara—because there was nothing left to say. Deep inside, she knew returning was no longer possible... and leaving was her only way to begin healing.
.
.
To be continued...
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