Chapter 108

The world dimmed as time slipped away. Nathan stood beneath the streetlamp, his eyes brimming with tenderness, sorrow, and an unspoken reluctance to part from Ashley. "Ash, did you ever look at the book I gave you on your birthday?" "I threw it away." Her voice trembled, her eyes reddening. "You broke up with me. Why would I keep that damn book?" She expected anger, perhaps hurt—but instead, Nathan let out a quiet sigh of relief. "Good. I'm glad you did." Ashley's frustration boiled over. "Nathan, don't assume I still have feelings for you! If you hadn't shown up today, I wouldn't have even thought of you!" Nathan remained silent, watching her, unable to form a response. Above them, the streetlamp flickered. The surroundings grew darker. Ashley swallowed the lump in her throat. "I came out to meet someone else. Don't appear in my world again." The words left her lips, yet sorrow tightened around her heart. She didn't notice how Nathan's figure was slowly swallowed by the dar