"Charlton!" Serena shouted as he kept on walking briskly while she was running, chasing him like a fool.

Charlton just kept on walking briskly. What else do they have to talk about?

"Charlton, stop! Listen to me!" Serena yelled. When she finally reached him, she felt like she just ran a marathon as she pulled his arm.

"what do you want to say?"

"Earlier, that was a mistake. I did not mean for that to happen."

"I think you know quite well what you were doing. Stop making me look stupid, Serena. I'm quite through with this game you're playing." He said trying to control his anger.

"What game? You think what was between us was merely a game?"

"Then you tell me. I saw everything with my own two eyes. You kissed Geoffrey, and you let him kiss you that way. Should I keep lying to myself that you still care about me, if you even cared about me? What do you even want from me?"

He laughed at himself as his eyes blurred. It was funny really. He thought only women would feel this kind of hurt from being used. If he really were to think about it, it was not his lost. She gave him her first and Geoffrey will never have that satisfaction. But it hurt so damn much. 

"Serena, I was willing to throw everything away for you. Although I may not have as much as Geoffrey, I am still the only son of the grand duke. I am not a nobody you picked up from some corner. Do you even consider how I feel? That every time I am with you, I feel that I'm some kind of trash that is not even fitting to see the light of day."

"You think I am not willing to throw everything for you too? And don't tell me those words as if everything was merely my fault."

"Stop making your excuses. From the very beginning, you never did have the thought of breaking your engagement. I was skeptical at that time, but I ignored it. Because I loved you. I believed in every word you said. But I don't think I can trust your words anymore. Because If you had even an ounce of respect for me, you would not have done what you did."

"Ha! Don't act like you're some victim here. You think you showed me enough respect by that kiss you shared with Emily? I saw you, I heard the words you told her."

"So you kissed Geoffrey because of that? You think that's the same thing? Don't tell me that what you did was just some revenge device plot you made that has gone awry? Stop making me laugh. So, what if she kissed me? So what if I said those words? Doesn't that make you happy? At least now you can have Geoffrey to yourself."

Serena felt so angry that she slapped him. "I dare you say those words again."

Charlton shook his head and laughed sarcastically. "Thank you for that, I needed it to wake up. I'm sorry, Serena, but I don't think I can swallow being your dirty little secret any longer." 

Yes, he loves Serena, maybe loved her too much. But right now, perhaps he should love himself too. He still had some pride left in him. He can no longer continue being her dirty little secret. Also, he refuses to act like some kind of a doormat and let her and Leonard step all over him.

"So that's it? That's how little our relationship mean to you? You're breaking up with me? Have you considered what it was like on my end?" Serena asked incredulously as tears fell from her eyes. He should also understand how torn she was regarding their situation. 

Charlton felt his resolve weaken when he saw her tears. But he clenched his fist to stop himself from wanting to comfort her. "Yes, whatever ending this means. And just so you know, this relationship did not mean little to me. You said you're willing to throw everything for me, but I don't think so. You know why? Because even now, you only have one foot in and the other is still trying to find solid ground for insurance."

"I was just being practical." She defended.

Charlton just shook his head. "And that's the reason why this has to end." Then he turned to leave. 

"If you leave now, don't expect me to welcome you back with open arms." Serena warned.

He did not stop from walking.

--

Serena was both incensed and regretful. A part of her was guilty for what she did, but a larger part of her was even more angry with the fact that it was he who left her. She did not think that Charlton's words were all correct. Yes, he was right that she had her other foot finding solid ground, but what should she have done? Announce to the world that she was breaking her engagement? How about her family here? Yes, she was being practical, but she was not a real young maiden who believed that they would survive solely on love.

Also, he did not even deny that he said those words to Emily. Were the words he said just excuses to break up with her because he was falling in love with the female lead? Was the novel's plot that strong? But what of Geoffrey? Maybe because she showed interest on Charlton instead that's why things were moving this way? She didn't know nor she understood.

All she knew was that she was tired, angry, and sad. He left her standing there. He did not even give her enough credit. Just one mistake on her end and he broke up with her? 

Serena did not know what to do, so she just walked back to her dorm and tried to get some sleep. Her night was ruined, her relationship was ruined, and she did not know how to fix it. If she even wanted to fix it. She too has some pride. She already extended the olive branch when she chased him, and all she got was him breaking up with her. If he didn't want her, then she didn't want him too. 

--

TBC

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