chapter1135

"She's probably just mad because I made a decision on my own and didn't care about how she felt. I'll apologize. I'll try to make it right and she'll come around." Caspian just couldn't wrap his head around the breakup. He had shown up today so happy, so hopeful, never thinking this would be the day Lucinda left him.

There was a time when he couldn't even imagine Lucinda actually being his girlfriend. But somehow, he'd managed to make it happen. No one knew just how thrilled he'd been, how thankful he felt every single day. He'd lost count of the times he silently thanked the universe for bringing her into his life. But now, after having her for such a short time, why did life have to take her away so cruelly?

Breanna wathed her brother, heart breaking as he clung to denial. She let out a soft sigh and squeezed his shoulder.

"Caspian, the worst thing you can do in a relationship is lie to yourself. Loving someone isn't wrong, but you can't ignore how they treat you. Real love is about both people meeting each other halfway, not one person chasing after someone who doesn't care. Anyone can see the way Lucinda treated you. She never saw you as her equal."

Caspian's hands shook. Breanna's words hurt, but he knew she was right. He thought about all the times Lucinda brushed him off, the way she barely responded, how he'd tiptoed around trying to keep things together. That bitter feeling in his chest just kept growing.

Even so, he couldn't bring himself to let go. It was like being a moth drawn to a flame, knowing exactly how it would end but unable to stop himself.

His voice was raw with pain. "I thought if I just tried harder, if I loved her enough, she'd finally let me in."

Breanna's eyes softened. "Love doesn't work like that. You can't force someone to love you back by trying harder. The more you give in a one-sided relationship, the more it hurts. It's like holding sand in your hand. If you squeeze too tight, it just slips away faster. Lucinda never appreciated what you gave her. That's not your fault. She's just not the right person for you."

Caspian broke down, tears spilling over. "It's me, though. I'm not good enough for her. She's perfect."

Breanna shook her head, honestly at a loss for words. Her brother could be so stubborn sometimes.

She sighed again, trying to comfort

him. "Life is a journey. We meet all

kinds of people along the way. Some are just passing through. Others stick around for the long run Lucinda was just passing through your life. If you let her keep you from finding what's really meant for you, that's the real loss."

Caspian just looked down, fighting with himself. He knew Breanna was telling the truth. Still, letting Lucinda gofe

felt like tearing out a piece of his own heart. The pain was overwhelming.

"Caspian, let her go."

Meanwhile, Lucinda had stormed out and ended up calling a cab back to the Norwood house. On the ride hertaind spun with how she'd break the news to her family. She knew she'd acted on impulse, but after telling Caspian it was over, she felt a relief she'd never expected. It was just too hard pretending to care about someone she didn't even like.

When she got home, Kylie was surprised to see her walk in alone. Kylie looked behind her, not seeing Caspian anywhere.

Lucinda, didn't Caspian pick you up from school? He said you two were having dinner together tonight."