Chapter One Hundred and Thirty-Seven

I stayed frozen in bed as Damien’s voice faded right after his heavy confession. There was nothing to say. He was in love with me. But I was far away and now close to starting a new life. I didn’t need that. Not right now. Not anymore.

“I’m not pressuring you to say anything in response, Lauren,” he said before I could gather myself. “I just wanted you to know. It was killing me.”

I nodded, knowing fully well that he couldn’t see me. I changed my mind right then and there. I couldn’t possibly tell him that I felt the same way for him that he did for me. We had both agreed to go our separate ways, and this was only going to create an opening to make things even more complicated.

“I’m sorry, Damien,” I said with a tired sigh. “I already told you that I have to go. I need to get something to eat.”

“That’s fine,” he finally said after a long pause. “Goodbye.”

Judging by the way he said it, I knew that it was final. He was letting go, and there was nothi