Playing for Keeps: Finding Love Beyond the Lies - Chapter 126: Chapter 126

The emotional pain became unbearable late at night, manifesting physically.
I clutched my cramping stomach, biting my hand until I nearly lost consciousness.
Vaguely, I felt strong hands lift me up, his usually calm voice now panicked.
In my haze, memories flooded back like a tide.
My relationship with Alex wasn't always smooth sailing - we'd once completely fallen apart.
It was in our second year together, without warning, when he suggested we separate.
I was planning our first vacation with my rare time off when he said it. It felt absurd.
He looked at me with distant eyes, as if detached: "I can't give you what you want."
Just moments before, he'd spent ages fretting over my burned hand.
I thought long and hard, but besides money, I couldn't imagine what could stand between us.
"It's okay, we can work it out together."
"We're so young - if we just keep trying, we can have everything we want."
"Besides, I don't need you to be rich..."
He cut me off, gently patting my head as if we'd never meet again.
"Emma, I'm sorry. I hope you find someone better."
We were young then, proud and stubborn, believing no one was irreplaceable.
So I didn't beg, didn't cry, just feigned calm dignity: "Alex, the truth is you're a coward. You just don't love me enough."
"If that's how it is, let's end this cleanly."
If love was truly overwhelming, how could he give up without even trying?
I thought I was being decisive, rational.
I'd always been practical, quick to discard anything that didn't serve me.
But with Alex, none of that worked.
After we split, he vanished - until fate pushed us together again.
It was at an event I should never have been at, where I saw him in a tailored suit.
I stared at him blankly as he fumbled for words, his wine glass turning in his hands.
"I'm... the driver... what a coincidence..."
I nodded without speaking, walking past him.
But I had this inexplicable feeling that if I missed this chance, we'd never love again.
For the first time in my life, emotion won over reason, and I took a leap of faith.
I stopped suddenly, pushed through the crowd, running back to him.
Alex still leaned against the shadowed pillar. When I reached him, I realized he'd been watching me the whole time.
He watched as I fought through the crowd, using all my strength to reach him.
I held my head high, voice firm: "Alex, I'll only ask this once - do you want to get back together? If you say no, this is it for us, forever."
Just this once, I'd humble myself for love. Never again.
Alex stayed silent for a long time, then lifted his wine glass to touch my raised forehead: "You're such a fool."
Yes, a fool who couldn't hear the meaning behind "I can't give you," who couldn't see through his flawed disguise.