Chapter 4

Memories of their love flooded back, overwhelming the resistance she had built. In that moment, all she could do was respond to him, letting her heart once again be swept away by the emotions of the past.

She knew this was wrong, that Daniel was engaged to Sophie, but in that instant, she couldn’t stop. They were lost in a long, passionate kiss, filled with both the fervor and regret for what they had lost.

When they finally pulled apart, Elise tried to distance herself, but his eyes held her captive. “Elise, you still love me, don’t you?” Daniel whispered, his eyes filled with hope.

Elise looked at him, her eyes brimming with tears. “Daniel, I came to say goodbye… You’re engaged to Sophie.”

Daniel shook his head, his eyes full of pain. “I can’t forget you, Elise. I’ve tried, but I can’t.”

Elise felt torn between two worlds. She loved Daniel, but she knew she couldn’t destroy his happiness with Sophie.

“Daniel, I came here just to tell you that it’s over. We shouldn’t see each other again.”

Daniel looked at her, his eyes pleading. “Elise, I can’t lose you again.”

Elise felt crushed under the weight of her decision. She wanted to stay, to return to Daniel, but she knew it would only lead to pain for everyone involved.

“Daniel, I’m sorry,” she said, her voice choking with emotion.

“Let’s end it here. Continue your life with Sophie. I wish you happiness, Daniel.” She pushed Daniel away and turned to leave, but he rushed forward and embraced her from behind.

“Elise, I’ll call off the engagement. Just give me a chance.”

She felt her heart tighten. She didn’t want to leave him, but she knew the best thing for him was to move on with Sophie, who deserved happiness.

“Daniel! Please don’t hurt Sophie,” she said, tears streaming down her face. “I don’t love you anymore. Don’t ever think about coming back.”

Daniel said nothing, just looked at her with eyes full of pain that she knew she couldn’t soothe. Finally, he lowered his head, quietly accepting the truth.

Elise pried Daniel’s hands off her, lifting her head high as she walked away, feeling as if everything was crumbling around her, but knowing she couldn’t turn back. When the door closed behind her, Elise felt as though she had lost everything. But she knew she had done the right thing, no matter how much it hurt.

Daniel walked back into the banquet hall in a daze, where the event had ended and people were preparing to leave. Sophie saw him looking lost and was immediately concerned.

“Are you tired, Daniel?”

Daniel shook his head slightly, placing his hands on Sophie’s shoulders, trying to reassure her.

“I’m fine. Are you ready? I’ll take you home.”

With the sensitivity of a woman, Sophie realized that Daniel’s mind was elsewhere, a place where the shadow of Elise still lingered. As she watched his retreating figure, anger and confusion surged within her.

“Elise… why won’t you just disappear? Why did you have to show up today, of all days?”

Sitting in the car beside Daniel, the silence between them was suffocating, heavy with unspoken words. The atmosphere felt strained, distant—completely at odds with the image of a newly engaged couple. Sophie could feel the weight pressing on her chest, unable to stifle the sigh that threatened to escape. Inside Daniel’s mind, however, the image of Elise was etched deeply, haunting him.

“Elise... she’s even more beautiful than before,” Sophie spoke, as if testing Daniel’s feelings.

She turned to face him, her voice soft yet laced with worry.

“Do you still love her?”

Daniel didn’t respond. He remained silent, unsure of what to say. Lying wasn’t an option, but hurting Sophie further was the last thing he wanted.

“Then why did you agree to get engaged to me?” Sophie’s voice wavered as she fought to maintain her composure, but the tremor in her words was unmistakable.

Lowering his head, Daniel’s eyes were heavy with guilt.

“I thought... I could forget about her.”

Sophie could no longer contain her frustration. She snapped, her voice breaking with tears.

“That bitch! She’s only come back to ruin us!”

Daniel slowly pulled the car to the side of the road, trying to calm her down.

“Sophie, please calm down. Elise just wanted to end things properly with me, not to destroy anything.”

“End things?” Sophie nearly screamed. “She left you, and now she shows up on our engagement day to say goodbye? She’s nothing but a manipulative witch, skilled at bewitching men!”

Daniel looked at Sophie, her eyes brimming with tears and pain. He knew he had hurt her deeply.

“So… have you ended it with her?” Sophie stared directly into Daniel’s eyes, searching for the confirmation she desperately needed. But there was no affirmation to be found. His gaze revealed only guilt and inner conflict.

“I knew it… Get out! I don’t need you, you traitor!” Sophie screamed. She had lost all control, overwhelmed by the sting of betrayal and heartache, drowning out any sense of reason.

“When you were heartbroken over her, where was she?” Sophie could no longer hold back, her cries choking her words. “I was the only one who stayed by your side like a fool! How could you do this to me?”

Inside, Sophie’s feelings of betrayal surged. She couldn’t comprehend how Daniel could place her second to Elise. How could he get engaged to her while still holding a part of his heart for another woman?

Daniel gently embraced Sophie, though each word she spoke felt like a dagger to his heart.

“Sophie, you need to calm down,” he murmured, his voice soft but troubled.

Sophie didn’t respond. She pushed him away slightly, looking directly into his deep blue eyes—the eyes where she once found peace. But now, they only reflected turmoil and hesitation.

“All these years... what have I meant to you?” Her voice cracked with sobs.

Daniel couldn’t face the question. He averted his eyes, his heart feeling as though an invisible hand was squeezing it. “You need rest now, Sophie. We’ll talk about this later.”

But Sophie wasn’t ready to let go. She lunged forward, wrapping her arms tightly around his neck, her trembling lips seeking any warmth from him. “I love you, Daniel… don’t leave me. Please.”

Daniel could taste the salt of her tears on his lips, his heart on the verge of breaking from the guilt that consumed him.

Gently, he pushed her back. “Sophie, I’m sorry. But we’re both exhausted today. Let me take you home so you can rest.”

She didn’t say a word, only slumped against his shoulder, her tears silently soaking into his jacket. In that moment, both of them felt the growing distance between them, an unbridgeable chasm widening with each passing second.