My heartbeat slowed down. I breathed heavily. My knees and hands were trembling. I could hear the fragile beats of my heart, like a crystal shattering on the floor.
"I'm sorry for making this hard for you. I'm sorry for hurting you. I'm so sorry for everything. I'm so sorry..." Arik's voice broke.
I shook my head.
"P-please... Arik, I still love you. I love you so much, but I can't keep loving you. It's too exhausting. It's too draining. I just want things to be okay. Why... why do you have to do this? It hurts so much..." I sobbed continuously as I felt him caressing my hair.
"I-it's fine," Arik stuttered. "You can stop loving me. It's okay, Celeste. I'm sorry."
Then, in just a snap, Arik vanished. He left while I was crying in that room. I ended up sitting on the floor, sobbing silently. I had no strength left to pick up the pieces of my shattered heart.