Debbie sat in her apartment, staring at her phone.
Pasco's message lingered in her mind: "I think about you morethan I should." The words swirled in her thoughts like a storm, tugging at the part of her heart she thought had healed.
Felix had been everything she'd wanted—a man who adored her, understood her, and treated her like she deserved to be treated. Yet, Pasco's sudden reappearance had unlocked emotions she had buried deep within herself.
The knock at her door startled her, pulling her back to reality. When she opened it, Felix stood there, his
expression calm but his eyes heavy with concern.
"You've been distant," Felix said, stepping inside. "Is it about him?"
Debbie looked away, unable to meet his gaze. "Felix… I don't know how to explain this. I thought I was over him. I thought I was ready to move on."
Felix's shoulders tensed, but his voice remained steady.
"You don't have to explain, Debbie. I already know."
She looked at him sharply. "What do you mean?"
"I saw the message, Debbie," Felix admitted, his voice quiet. "I wasn't trying to invade your privacy. Your phone lit up while I was setting it down. I couldn't help but see it."
Debbie's chest tightened. "Felix… I—"
He held up a hand, stopping her. "It's okay. I've felt it
for a while now. A part of you is still with him. And I
can't compete with someone who has that kind of holdon your heart."
"I don't want to hurt you," Debbie whispered, tears
forming in her eyes.
Felix reached for her hand, squeezing it gently. "You're not hurting me. You're being honest, and I respect that. But I can't stay and watch you wrestle with these feelings. You deserve to figure this out without me standing in the way."
The room fell silent, save for the quiet hum of the city outside. Felix leaned down, pressing a soft kiss to her forehead. "I love you, Debbie. But I also want you to be happy, even if that happiness isn't with me." With that, he turned and walked out the door, leaving Debbie standing alone, her heart heavy with guilt and confusion.