Prologue

My lips pursed into a thin line as I roam my eyes around the practice room that used to be my safe haven, but after tonight, it wouldn't be the same anymore. I took a deep breath and looked up when I felt someone stood behind me.

Never did I imagine that I'll use this place for me to end things with the person that became my everything.

I turned around and faced him. My hands felt cold. My heart ached as if something's stabbing it. I wanted to collapse and back out.

But I have to do this.

It's the only way for us to be saved.

And it's the only thing I could do for myself.

I clenched my fist tightly. "I'm sorry."

Panic, pain, and disappointment flashed in his eyes when it landed on mine. The way he stared at me and how he shook his head slowly showed me that he already knew what he was about to hear.

I gave him a sad smile and let go of the words he didn't want to hear—words we promised not to say to each other.

"I'm tired, Hendreich. Let's put an end to this now."

Something inside of me broke into a million pieces as his eyes moistened. And if there's music that could suffocate me, then maybe the sound of his humorless laugh was the song I would never want to listen to.

"Why?" he asked, clenching his fist. Tears started to escape from his eyes. The warm and bright eyes faded as they became empty and dull.

"Do I need a reason?" I managed to ask back.

"Hindi ka naman mapapagod na walang dahilan, 'di ba? That's bullshit."

I flinched when Hendreich stepped closer to me and grabbed me by my shoulder. It hurts, but I ignored it because I know that the words I said to him hurts more than his hand on my shoulder.

"Moira Arabella!"

"Just stop, Hendreich! Tama na, please lang. Pagod na ako. Ano bang hindi mo maintindihan doon, ha?"

His grip tightened at what I said. Hendreich looked at me and I refused to look away as my lips trembled. I bit it as if it could stop the tears from falling. I can't cry in front of him. Not now.

"Okay." He nodded after a moment of silence. A smile appeared on his face, but gone was the bright smile I adored so much. The way his lips curved upward wasn't the same as the ones that comforted me. This smile screams pain.

After a minute, he let go of me as he turned around and walked away. I balled my fist as I watched his retreating back.

And I knew from that moment when he slammed the door—it was also closing the door of our relationship. It's over.

When I was left alone in the room, I sat on the floor as the tears I held for too long burst without the hint of stopping. I wanted to scream but I couldn't seem to find my voice, so I let the silence reigned while I cried silently. My heart that was once whole was now shattered. I sobbed and embraced the pain that tugged my heart, rendering me gasping.

I don't know how long I sat on the floor because all I could think of is him and the wound I caused. I couldn't erase the look on his face when I ended our relationship.

The door opened. Someone ran to where I was and stood beside me.

"Hendreich..." Emotions swirled inside of me when her voice cracked as she mentioned his name.

Even though my vision's blurry, I stopped crying suddenly and rose to face her.

"He got into a car accident."

God, what have I done?

***