Astred's POV
I never thought he would see it—let alone respond. At first, I couldn't concentrate on what he was saying. Gone was the strong guy I once knew. He looked thinner, his usually well-trimmed beard now overgrown. But most of all, his dark, deep eyes—although still as beautiful as I remembered—seemed empty.
My heart ached. I could only imagine what he had gone through. Three years of loneliness... Hearing his voice, I wanted to cry. There are so many guys out there—that's true—but I don't love any of them, and none of them love me the way you did. Maybe I should give up and give him peace of mind. Maybe he'd be far better off without me.
No. How could I give up before trying?
I have to hear his answer in person. I have to meet him. But how? I know he wouldn't answer my calls. I need to know his address. Maybe I should call his friend, Brad. Maybe he would know.
The phone rang, and he answered.
"Hello?"
"Hello, this is Astred."
"Oh, Astred! How've you been?"
"I'm good… and you?"
"I'm good too. So, what's your purpose?" he asked with a smirk I could hear behind the phone. "Or wait—let me guess, by your hurried tone, I think you finally realized, huh?"
"As usual, you're terrifyingly smart—just like him."
"So you knew… and never told me anything?"
"Yes, I did know. I wronged him so much. I want to see him. I want to make up for everything. Please… give me his address."
"To answer you honestly: yes, I knew everything that happened—even about those bastards' conspiracies. But I never said anything because I knew you wouldn't believe me. You didn't trust even him—why would you trust me? And it wasn't my place to interfere in your relationship.
Deep down… I was relieved. Someone as good as him deserves someone better than you. His address? I can't give you that. He finally forgot. How could I let you play with his feelings once more?"
He hung up before I could speak. I clenched my fist in frustration. I wanted to cry, but I knew he was right. Still, I had to see him. Even if it was hard. I had to try. I'll talk to his brother. We were friends before—surely he would listen.
The phone rang again.
"Hello, this is Astred."
"Oh, hello Astred. You good? You don't sound like it."
"Yes, I'm just… a little frustrated."
"So let me guess—this is about my foolish little brother?" he laughed.
"So you knew too," I said, my voice growing weaker.
"Please, Simon. I need to see him."
"Well, he probably doesn't want to. And even though you're my friend, he's still my brother. I want to protect him. Honestly, I don't think you're a good match for him. You played with his feelings. But... it's not my place to interfere. So I'll give you his address. He lives in Velmora City, Strass de la Rue, Building Number 1."
"Thank you so much. As for being a good match, I'll let you decide that in the future—with my actions."
"Alright. As a brother, I'll say one last thing: if you hurt him again, I'll never forgive you. Please… go save him. After you left, I couldn't even recognize him anymore."
And he hung up.
I needed to go as soon as possible. I booked a train ticket for today. It's a four-hour trip, so if I leave now, I should arrive before midnight. After a long journey, I finally arrived by 9 PM. I took the bus to his address. As I walked, looking for the building… I saw him.
With another girl.
He was talking to her… smiling.
I couldn't help it—my heart broke.
I guess I came all the way here for nothing.
I turned and ran back to the bus station.
Bryan's POV
As I was coming back from the gym, I met a friend. She tried to invite me to her boyfriend's party—he's also my friend—but I declined. I had important things to do that day.
On my way back to my apartment, I saw her.
The angel from my dreams.
The devil from my nightmares.
Tears in her eyes.
She was surrounded by a few drunk punks. Without thinking, I rushed over, punched the one closest to her, grabbed her hand, and ran toward my place.
Astred's POV
As he held my hand, I felt… secure. I ran and ran, terrified—but somehow… happy. I had finally met him again. He was still the same man I knew back then. Strong. Dependable.
As we entered his apartment, he sighed in relief. "Oof, we're safe… for now."
Silence loomed before he finally broke it.
"What are you doing here? And why were you running in the first place—until you ran into those punks?"
I wanted to speak, but remembering the girl... tears started falling. My voice stuck in my throat.
Bryan's POV
Knowing her… she must've seen something. She came today—she even brought her things. What could she have seen to cry and run like that?
A thought crossed my mind. Could she have seen me with that girl?
But then… why would she care?
Either way, let's calm her down first.
I stood up. "Do you want some water?"
Still crying, she nodded.
I handed her a glass. "Wait here, I'll prepare something for you to eat. You're probably hungry."
She shook her head, trying to refuse—but her stomach betrayed her with a rumble.
"Hahaha, you don't have to be polite with me. We've known each other a long time."
She nodded again. I took some tissues and gently wiped her tears.
Astred's POV
As he wiped my tears, I thought—he's still the gentle man I knew. My heart skipped a beat. Butterflies fluttered in my stomach. Even after everything I put him through… he could still smile at me and wipe my tears.
But deep down, I was scared.
What if that gentleness… was meant for someone else now?
Tears threatened again, but I held them back.
No. I need to be serious. He won't take me seriously if I fall apart again.
Now that we had eaten and calmed down, he suggested we go for a walk.
"The punks should be gone now," he said.
We walked under the gloomy night sky, a heavy silence between us. I remembered how he used to crack silly jokes that always made me laugh. Those walks were never awkward before. But now…
Lost in thought, I didn't notice we had reached a park.
"Let's sit over there," he said, pointing to a bench.
"So… will you answer my question or not? What are you doing here? And why were you running and crying?"
"Well… I saw you with that girl," I replied.
"First of all, there's nothing between her and me. And second—what does that have to do with you?" he asked calmly. "What are you even doing here? I already said everything in that story."
His cold tone stung. Tears welled up, but I had to stay strong.
"I came to apologize. For everything I did back then. I was wrong. I treated you terribly. And I also want to apologize for everything you went through over the past three years. I understand now—I've been through something similar these past ten days."
Bryan's POV
Hearing her words, I felt anger bubbling up. I couldn't keep a straight face anymore. I started laughing.
"Hahaha! Do you even hear yourself? You couldn't even endure ten days, and you claim to understand what I went through? The loneliness? The self-doubt? The depression? The nights I stayed up hating myself?
"At least you get to cry. I can't. Men don't cry, remember? I have to bottle it all up. I still have to smile. What do you even know about my life?"
She bit her lip, her eyes red. In a low voice, she said:
"You're right. I have no right to say that. But I know this much: even after all you've been through… you're still the kindest, warmest person I've ever known. So I know… you'll forgive me."
Anger surged again.
"Why do you always take things for granted? Yeah, sure, you came all the way here to apologize. But does that erase what you did?
The lies? The distrust? The betrayal?
If you were in my place, would you trust or forgive yourself?
Even if I do forgive you… so what?"
She looked down in shame. "I just want another chance—to atone for my mistakes. To make it up to you."
Grief overtook my anger. I could no longer hide it. I still loved her. Deeply.
"Why…" I screamed.
Thunder rumbled. Rain began to pour, like the sky itself shared my pain.
"Why did you do this to me?" I dropped to my knees, soaked in rain. "I gave you everything—my heart, my soul. Why did you betray me? Was my heart just a toy to you?"
She clenched her teeth, but no words came. Only tears.
Astred's POV
I looked at the broken man I loved.
Deep regret consumed me.
How could I have been so selfish?
As I listened to his words, I couldn't respond. I knew…
Whatever decision he made next…
I had to accept it.
Maybe it was my destiny to lose him forever.
Fear gripped my heart…
…as he opened his mouth to speak.