Morning — The Quiet After the War
The city felt calmer.
As if something heavy had finally lifted.
Maya sat on the balcony, warm sunlight brushing her face. For the first time in days, her phone was silent—not with fear, but with peace.
Adrian stood beside her, hands in his pockets.
"I should've ended this earlier," he said quietly.
Maya shook her head.
"No," she replied.
"You ended it the right way. By choosing."
Adrian looked at her.
"And you stayed."
She smiled softly.
---
Shiya — One Last Choice
Across town, Shiya stood in an empty apartment.
Suitcases lined the wall.
Her phone buzzed once.
A message from Adrian.
> This ends here. Please don't contact me again.
She stared at the screen for a long time.
No anger.
No tears.
Just exhaustion.
"So this is how it feels," she whispered,
"to lose without being defeated."
She picked up a small photo—an old memory of a life that no longer belonged to her.
Carefully, she placed it inside a drawer and closed it.
Some chapters don't need closure.
They need distance.A Quiet Goodbye
Shiya stepped into the airport.
No dramatic farewell.
No last attempt.
Just a one-way ticket.
As she walked away, she whispered to herself—
"I loved you the wrong way…
and lost myself in it."
For the first time, she didn't look back.
---
Healing Begins
Lila visited Maya later that evening.
They sat together, sharing tea and silence.
"You know," Lila said, smiling faintly,
"you didn't just protect Adrian. You protected me too."
Maya reached for her hand.
"We're family now," she said gently.
Lila's eyes softened.Adrian & Maya — Choosing Peace
That night, Adrian and Maya stood under the stars.
"No more running," Adrian said.
"No more fear."
Maya nodded.
"Just honesty," she replied.
He took her hand.
"I see you," he said softly.
And this time—
he meant everything.
---