Chapter 8: The Final Confrontation
Amelia hadn't expected the meeting with Victor to be easy, but she certainly hadn't anticipated the depth of finality in his tone. When he spoke, there was no bitterness, no harsh words—only an overwhelming sense of resignation. It was clear that Victor had made his peace with what was happening, but that didn't make it any less painful for Amelia.
"I think I've been fooling myself for a while," Victor said, his voice calm, almost too calm, as if he had already detached himself from the emotions that still clung to Amelia. "You're not the person I thought you were, Amelia. Or maybe you are—but I'm not the person you need."
Amelia's heart ached as she looked at him. The person she had known—the passionate, vibrant Victor—was now a stranger in front of her. He had changed. And in the process, so had she.
"Victor, I'm sorry," Amelia whispered, but the words felt hollow, inadequate. "I never meant for things to end this way. I—"
"I know," he interrupted, a faint but sad smile tugging at the corner of his lips. "It's not your fault. You didn't do anything wrong. I guess we just wanted different things, at different times."
Amelia stood there, her chest tightening, unable to say anything more. In the silence that followed, she realized that this was the end. There was no more room for the relationship they once had. The space between them had grown too wide, and neither of them was willing to bridge the gap anymore.
Before she left, Victor placed a hand on her shoulder—gentle, almost protective, but distant. "I hope you find what you're looking for, Amelia. Even if it's not with me."