Rain pelted down in thick, relentless sheets as Nathan disappeared into the storm.
Behind him, the world felt like it had split open.
Celine stood frozen for a moment, stunned by everything that had unfolded. Then she turned toward Ms. Davies—who now sat slumped on the floor, shoulders trembling, her hands covering her face.
Even though Celine herself was breaking apart, she forced her steps to steady.
She refused to fall apart in front of this woman.
She refused to let Nathan walk away and leave both of them drowning.
Celine crouched beside her, guiding her gently back inside the orphanage—away from the rain, away from the children's curious eyes. She rubbed small circles on Ms. Davies' back, her own hands trembling, doing her best to calm her.
If there was one thing she could do right now… it was to be strong for this woman who had already lost so much.
"This is not your fault," Celine whispered softly. "Please don't think that."
Ms. Davies clutched Celine's hands, sobbing harder.
"I'm so sorry… I didn't want it to come to this. I think… I think I made things worse between you two."
Celine shook her head, forcing herself to smile even as something sharp twisted inside her chest. The smile didn't reach her eyes, but she held it anyway.
"Don't worry about us," she said gently. "We'll fix it. It's just a misunderstanding."
She didn't know if that was true.
She didn't know if there even was a "them" anymore.
What she did know—what she felt deep, deep in her bones—was that love was a lie. A painful, exquisite lie she kept falling for. And every time she loved, she bled.
She texted Letty with shaky fingers, asking her to come pick her up. Letty replied instantly: On my way.
Until then, Celine stayed by Ms. Davies' side, reassuring her the only way she knew how—by sharing every good thing she knew about Nathan.
His accomplishments.
His kindness.
His quiet strength.
His gentle humor.
She spoke about him with bright, hopeful eyes—eyes that betrayed how deeply she loved him.
Ms. Davies listened, tears softening into smiles and small giggles, clearly touched.
Celine felt something loosen in her chest. At least she could give his mother that comfort.
"Ms. Davies," she said softly, "I'm a better person now… all because of your son. He wouldn't exist if it weren't for you. So please… no more blame."
Ms. Davies broke down, hugging her tightly.
"Thank you, Celine… thank you for seeing the good in him. Thank you for loving him."
Letty appeared at the door, drenched from the rain but ready to take Celine home. Celine gave a small nod.
She turned to Ms. Davies.
"I'm leaving now, ma'am. I'm sorry this didn't go the way we hoped. But Nathan… he'll come around. I know he will."
She slipped a small folded paper into her hand—Nathan's number.
"Please don't give up on him. Just try."
Then she walked out.
And once she reached the car—
Celine fell apart.
Her whole body crumpled as sobs tore through her. She shook uncontrollably, grief pouring out like the storm outside.
How could she lose to love again?
Was she really that easy to discard?
What's the point of feeling anything—if it always ends in pain?
Letty held her, helpless but trying her best to comfort her.
When they got home, Celine went straight to her room. She was soaked, shivering, exhausted—but she didn't care. She slid down into the corner of her room, knees drawn to her chest, arms wrapped around herself.
She felt empty.
Depleted.
Defeated.
Her mind raced through loneliness, frustration, and sharp stabs of doubt.
Was Dean right all along? Was Nathan just a rebound?
Did Nathan pity her? Was it never real to him?
Did she confuse gratitude and warmth with love?
Celine was numb.
Done.
Over it.
A lightning strike could've hit her window and she wouldn't have flinched.
Love?
She wanted no part of it.
A soft knock came at her door. She ignored it.
On the third knock, her mother let herself in. Lauren froze when she saw Celine's state—drenched hair, trembling shoulders, eyes swollen red. Without a word, Lauren wrapped a towel around her and pulled her into a tight embrace.
No lectures.
No scolding.
Just a mother holding her broken child.
Later that evening, Ben and Carl came home. The heaviness in the house was palpable—they already knew. Ben visited her room, finding her asleep from exhaustion, her eyelashes still damp.
He kissed her forehead and stroked her hair gently before leaving.
In the hallway, he told Lauren what he'd heard: Cubix and HUB's business deal had been cancelled.
Nathan had ended everything—politely, professionally, decisively.
There was nothing left to discuss.
The next morning, Celine stayed in her room, drained of life. Nathan never reached out. Not a call. Not a text.
She tried calling.
She tried texting.
Nothing.
She finally turned on the TV for distraction—only to see the breaking news:
Cubix and HUB abruptly terminated their contract.
Celine's heart shattered all over again.
So that was it.
He hated her so much he walked away from their future—
and even their business partnership.
Everything they built… every moment… every breath of love…
Was it all meaningless?
She cried until her body gave out.
Sadie came to visit, wanting to comfort her, but even she couldn't reach the depth of this wound.
The rumors spread fast:
Dean's broken engagement.
The failed HUB–Cubix deal.
Old whispers resurfacing—
Maybe the long-arranged union between their families would still happen.
Maybe the story would come full circle.
Maybe Celine and Dean were meant to be after all.
Lauren refused to sit and let her family's name be dragged.
So when Dinah visited—nosey and eager for gossip—Lauren remained calm.
"Have you heard, dear Lauren?" Dinah said breathlessly. "Everyone thinks our children will end up together after all!"
Lauren sipped her tea, serene. "I've heard the rumors. None of them are true."
Dinah leaned forward conspiratorially.
"We should use this moment to clear both our families' names. Imagine the story—childhood sweethearts finding their way back! Dean is finally realizing Celine was the one all along!"
Lauren, ever graceful, ignored the provocation.
"That would be… nice," she said coolly. "But it's entirely up to Celine. She chooses her future—not us."
Just then, Celine came downstairs for a glass of water. Dinah spotted her instantly.
"Perfect timing!" she chirped. "Let's ask her now!"
Lauren sighed but turned to her daughter.
"Celine," she said gently, "would you consider reconciling with Dean? Maybe… giving him another chance?"
Celine didn't even hesitate.
"Yes," she said quietly. "I'll do it."
She didn't care anymore.
Not about Dean.
Not about Nathan.
Not about love.
At this point, Celine believed love was unnecessary for any relationship.
She was over it. Completely.