Words That Broke the Silence
Cornelia folded her arms, pretending not to care—but her eyes were sharp.
"Alex," she asked casually,
"Is it true?"
Euphemia stepped closer, worry clear in her expression.
"Did you really… break off the engagement with Lunaria?"
The hallway slowly quieted.
Students nearby pretended not to listen—
But everyone was.
Alex stopped walking.
He didn't smile.
He didn't frown either.
He simply spoke—calm, honest, tired.
"When you like a woman," Alex said,
"you want to give her everything you have."
Cornelia blinked.
Euphemia held her breath.
"You want to protect her," he continued.
"Care for her. Think about her future before your own."
His voice lowered slightly.
"But if that woman doesn't care…
If she doesn't like you back…"
Alex looked straight ahead.
"Then everything you do becomes meaningless."
Silence.
"For me," he finished,
"I'm tired.
Too tired."
Reactions
Cornelia clenched her fists.
Euphemia's eyes shimmered.
Nearby students froze.
They had all seen Alex before—
The boy who hovered around Lunaria.
The boy who gave her everything.
The boy who smiled even when ignored.
Now—
They understood.
He wasn't stupid.
He was sincere.
A few girls nearby whispered.
"So that's why…"
"He really loved her…"
"And she cheated on him with Leon?"
Eyes slowly shifted—
To Lunaria and Leon.
Lunaria noticed the attention and shrugged casually, leaning closer to Leon.
Leon laughed lightly, not caring.
That single gesture—
Made several girls frown in disgust.
The Shift
Something changed in the air.
Alex stood taller than before.
Calmer.
Sharper.
More handsome.
More dangerous.
Girls who had never noticed him before—
Started to look again.
He's… different.
More mature.
More attractive.
If he's single now…
Whispers spread like wildfire.
"Did you hear? The engagement is really broken."
"The Runcandel family officially cut ties."
"They say Lunaria ruined everything."
"Alex looks way better now, don't you think?"
"I heard he rejected three confessions last year…"
"He was loyal."
"He's free now."
Cornelia glanced at Euphemia.
Euphemia glanced back.
Neither spoke—
But both thought the same thing.
This time… don't let him be alone.
Lunaria's Side
Lunaria frowned slightly, annoyed by the looks she was getting.
"Tch… people exaggerate everything."
Leon smirked.
"Let them talk."
But inside—
Something felt wrong.
For the first time—
Leon felt like the spotlight wasn't on him.
And Alex?
Alex didn't look back.
Not even once.
The broken engagement shook the school.
Rumors exploded.
Hearts shifted.
And quietly—
Without raising his voice—
Alex Runcandel stepped out of the past.