Playing for Keeps: Finding Love Beyond the Lies - Chapter 116: Chapter 116

I thought I had plenty of time with Caleb. But I still wanted to finish the charms quickly so I could give them to him in person.
I wasn't sure if he'd like the scent of roses, so I bought some other dried flowers too.
I embroidered three different designs for him: a protective cross with delicate Celtic knotwork, a vintage compass and a silver-gray guardian wolf.
After I finished, I strung them together and held them up to the gentle sunlight filtering through my window.
I imagined what Caleb's reaction would be when he saw them.
After getting off the bus, I eagerly ran to Caleb's neighborhood.
But when I arrived, workers were carrying furniture and boxes into his house.
I froze in place, my heart sinking like a stone.
I slowly approached and quietly asked a young woman standing nearby, "Excuse me, where's the person who used to live here?"
"Oh, he moved out. I think it was a few days ago."
"...Okay. Thanks." I nodded numbly and turned away.
I sat on a bench, taking a long time to process the fact that Caleb was gone.
Why had he left without saying a word?
Weren't we... friends?
My vision blurred with tears. The gift bag in my hand felt like it weighed a thousand pounds.
Why was it that just when I got comfortable with your presence, you left me like everyone else?
Face blank, I wiped my tears with the back of my hand and tossed the gift into the nearest trash can.
That night, heavy rain poured down. I stared blankly out the window. Caleb's name lit up my phone screen. I hovered over the call button.
If he answered, what would I even say? Ask him why he left without a word?
Maybe to him, I was just some girl he'd pursued on a whim.
Not worth even a goodbye.
I suddenly realized what a joke I was. Like I never learn my lesson.
A knock at the door snapped me back to reality.
When I opened it, there stood Lucas—soaking wet and looking utterly miserable and wronged. "Did you forget today's my birthday?"
I wondered if the old Sophie would have forgiven him. I honestly don't know.
But the current me sadly realized I felt nothing for him anymore.
In that moment, I remembered a saying: Sometimes a person stands before you, and you feel absolutely nothing, not even anger... that's when it's really over."
He looked at me with reddened eyes. "Sophie, it's my birthday. You promised you'd be there for every birthday."
I was exhausted. "Happy birthday."
"Is that enough?"
"I'm sorry, Sophie. Are you still mad at me?" He grabbed my hand and pulled it hard across his cheek.
I winced. Newton's third law in action—my hand stung sharply.
Then he tried to force my hand across his other cheek, but I yanked it back, hissing coldly, "If you want to have a meltdown, go back to your own house. Don't do it here."
Lucas had very fair skin, and a deep red handprint appeared on his face.
I didn't care whether he was in pain. I was only worried the handprint would cause trouble for me.
He opened and closed his mouth, raindrops dripping steadily from his hair.
"I messed up," he said hoarsely. I... I don't even know why I acted that way. By the time I wanted to make amends, you'd already transferred."
"Later, I went to The Harvey School to find you, but there was some guy talking to you at the window and I... I lost it. Those things I said—I didn't mean them."
"Forget it," I sighed softly as a wave of exhaustion swept over me.
Lucas stared at me, his face turning pale.
I gave a bitter little laugh. "With your influence, Lucas, it wouldn't have been hard to find out who really posted that gossip."
As I said this, Lucas dropped his head in obvious pain.
"You already guessed who it was. We grew up together—you know I wouldn't stoop to doing something that disgusting."
"Lucas, it wasn't that you didn't believe me. It's that you chose to believe I was guilty."
"Lila wanted people to see her as your girlfriend. She wanted to drive a wedge between us, and make sure everyone knew she mattered more than your childhood friend."
"And you allowed her."
I looked coldly at his heartbroken expression. "Lucas... you made your choice from the very beginning. So why are you here now?"