In the evening of the Belloto launch party ...
"What are you doing, Stacy?"
Dylan clenched his fists, his eyes piercing mine and exposing the pain I had caused him. It felt as though I had shattered his soul into irreparable fragments. Yet, despite his agony, I knew I couldn't continue with him—my heart belonged to someone else. Determined to end things, I said,
"I'm doing what's best for both of us, Dylan. When we started dating, my heart was broken—vulnerable and hurting. I never intended for things to get this far. I valued your companionship and never meant to hurt you. You are my best friend."
Dylan's voice trembled as he replied,
"Why are you leaving me, Stacy? I love you... I love..."
Before he could finish, I added,
"Dylan, you mean so much to me. You were there when I needed you most, holding me together and brightening my days. You gave me more than I deserve. But I can't anchor your happiness to mine. You deserve someone who will truly love you, and I'm not that person. If I stayed, we both know it would only break our hearts."
Desperation crept into his tone as Dylan pleaded,
"I have enough love for both of us, Stacy. We can make this work... don't leave me..."
My response was firm yet pained:
"Dylan, I can't bear to see you suffer any longer. I can't keep deceiving you—or myself. It's not fair... that's why I have to leave."
His voice cracked with sorrow,
"Please, Stacy! Don't leave me... I love you..."
With a heavy sigh, Dylan lowered his eyes in resignation.
I continued, my voice barely steady,
"I love you, Dylan—just not in the way you desire. You've always been my closest friend, and I care deeply about you. It's because I care that I have to leave. I'll collect my things later and stay at a hotel tonight. Please, let's not make this any harder than it already is for me."
I closed the door behind me, leaving Dylan alone in the office. Breathing heavily, I started toward the exit—only to be halted halfway down the corridor when Mike grabbed my arm and dragged me into an empty hallway.
"Leaving already, love?" Mike drawled.
"What's your problem, Mike? Leave me alone," I snapped.
"Are you tired of your little toy?!" he taunted.
"He's not my toy, Mike—you know that. Go back to Marina; she's waiting for you. I don't have time to waste with you," I retorted.
Mike smirked. "I have something for you. Wear it on your next visit to my office..."
I snatched the box from his hand as he leaned in and kissed my cheek before heading back to the party. Furious, I stormed out, not daring to look back. This was the second time in my life that I left someone behind, knowing full well that I was hurting him. I had promised myself I wouldn't do it again—and yet, here I was, tearing another heart apart and damaging yet another friendship.
"What's your problem, Stacy? Can't you be friends with someone without dragging them into your bed? I'm really fucked..."
That week, I immersed myself in work, desperate to fill the hours outside the office and to stop ruminating on what I had done with Dylan. That damn party had turned my life into hell, and I knew I had to learn to make better choices. After finishing work that day, I went to Dylan's house to pack my things. Just as I was about to leave, the doorbell rang. I opened the door without glancing at who it might be—and froze.
Standing there, framed by the doorway, was the man who owned my heart and soul. His deep, beautiful blue eyes locked with mine. The love of my life—Richard Bellotto.