I don't know where we went, but I was busy crying, the salty tears streaming down my face as memories flashed through my mind—glimpses of laughter, whispers beneath the stars, and the sharp pangs of regret that entwined with the joy of those moments. It was a silent storm inside me, spiraling out of control until finally, I realized the car had come to a stop.
I slowly raised my head and looked out the window, confusion flooding my senses. This place... How did I end up here?'This place... How come am I here?'
"Have you calmed down now?" A familiar voice sliced through the haze of my thoughts, and I instinctively turned to my side.
"Argos…" I mumbled, happy to see him. Did he chose me? "T-thank you for—"
He cut me off coldly, putting a wall before us. "What are you thanking me for? I just need to know the reason why you left me. After this, I'm going back, so make it fast."
His words struck me like a cold bucket of water; the bittersweet smile I had tried to muster faltered. How could I thank him after everything? I searched his eyes, trying to find the love I once knew, but all that remained was a mix of coldness and anger.
Of course. Why would he choose me? It had been three years, and I had never even apologized.
Drawing in a deep breath, I felt the weight of my memories press down like an anvil, threatening to crush me. Yet, I couldn't hold back any longer. "I…I left because I thought it was the right thing to do, Argos. I thought I was doing you a favor by stepping aside."
His gaze hardened, and I could see the remnants of love fighting against the anger and betrayal. "Is that all? If it is then step outside, I don't want to see you anymore."
"Y-your mother offered me money to stay away from you and I did..." My voice broke, and I hesitated, fighting to regain composure. "I accepted that money because my life back then was really messed up! I let myself believe that maybe your mother was right. That maybe I was wrong for you, that you could be happier with someone else. So I left you so you could follow your dreams."
"By leaving?" he asked incredulously, frustration boiling beneath the surface. "You think running away instead of standing by me was the best option? Did you ever stop to consider how it felt to be abandoned? To be left alone while I was begging you to stay?"
A lump formed in my throat as fresh tears brimmed in my eyes. "I was scared, Argos! My heart was breaking just as much as yours. I didn't know how to cope with the reality of it all. All I could think about was your family's disapproval and how I could never match up with you!"
"Those are just excuses," he snapped, leaning forward, anger flashing in his eyes. "You could have fought for us! You could've at least told me how you truly felt instead of walking away!"
"I—" I stammered, feeling trapped in the cage of my own emotions. "I thought it would be easier this way! I didn't think you'd want someone like me to ruin your future!"
"Easier? You think it's easier to live with regret for three years?" His voice softened slightly, but the hurt was still palpable. "You think it would have been easier for me to forget you? To see you reach your dreams and don't give a damn about me? You should've trusted me more."
My heart ached at the pain etched across his face—deep lines of heartbreak that mirrored my own. Suddenly, the years of silence, the unspoken words coiled like a serpent within me, finally breaking free. "N-no, Argos... For those three years, I silently supported you. Did you know that I couldn't sleep, not knowing what you've been doing? Every night, I would read articles related to you. Whenever you accomplished something, I would let someone deliver you your favorite flowers anonymously."
He looked at me, his gaze hardening like steel. "Liar. The one who's been giving me my favorite flowers was Alice, not you!"
A wave of desperation surged through me, and I shook my head repeatedly. "N-no, Argos, listen to me. I was the one who's been delivering those! I even have the receipts!" Without thinking, I reached for my phone, hastily unlocking it. The wallpaper was a picture of us, an image that symbolized everything I had held onto over the years. I had never once deleted it; it was my resolve to chase my dreams, a reminder to believe that, one day, I might be worthy of standing beside him again.
Just as I was about to click on the receipts, Argos snatched my phone away from me.