Chapter 115
Christiana’s POV
| arrived at the restaurant, an elegant little place that Daniel had picked out, its warm lighting spilling onto the
sidewalk. | wax late-later than | should have been. | took a deep breath before entering, telling myself this was
the right thing to do. | had made my choice, and now, | just had to face him.
When | walked in, there he was, looking dapper as ever in a crisp suit and that effortless charm. His face lit up
when he saw me, his eyes warm, his smile genuinely happy. Guilt twisted in my chest, he was excited to see me.
| forced a faint smile, waving as | approached the table.
1
“Christiana,” he said, standing up to greet me. His eyes softened, and for a second, | almost forgot why | was
here.
“Hi. Daniel,” | replied, my voice gentler than usual. We exchanged a brief hug, and | took my seat across from
him.
“Where are the kids?” he asked, glancing behindas if they'd just pop in.
“They couldn’t make it,” | said, forcing a light tone. “They wanted to stay... with their father.” My words hung in
the air, and Daniel's expression faltered, his mouth tightening as he tried to hide whatever he was feeling.
“Ah, right,” he said, giving a small nod. His fingers fidgeted with the edge of his napkin, but he quickly brushed it
off, flashinga smile that didn’t quite reach his eyes. “Well, more tfor just the two of us, then.”
| managed another small smile. He tried to make small talk, asking about my day, how things were going at the
gallery. But then, he stopped, studyingfor a long moment. “How are you, Christiana?” he asked, his voice
soft, almost cautious. “Really,”
The kindness in his gaze made it harder. | swallowed, feeling my throat tighten. “I'm... okay. Really, | am,” | said,
looking down, tracing invisible patterns on the tablecloth. “It’s been... a lot, but I'm handling it. Thank you for
being here for me, Daniel. Really, you don’t know how much that means.”
He nodded, reaching into his pocket and pulling out a small box, sliding it across the table. “I... got you
something. | thought it would suit you,” he said with a hopeful smile.
| stared at the box, feeling my heart thump uncomfortably in my chest. “Daniel, I... | can’t accept this.”
Confusion flashed across his face, “Why not? It's just a gift, Christiana. No strings attached, | promise,” he said
with a soft Laugh.
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇt1 shook my head, feeling my hands begin to shake slightly. “Daniel... | don’t want to lead you on. You're such a
good person, and you've been so supportive ofand the kids. I... | just don’t feel that way about you. Not in
the way you deserve.”
His smile faded, replaced with a look of heartbreak that cut deep. “Christiana... what are you saying?”
| took a deep breath, steadying myself. “I think of you as a friend, Daniel. A very dear friend. But... that’s all | can
give. | can’t give you what you're looking for. You're a wonderful man, and any woman would be lucky to have
you.” My voice broke slightly, and | forced myself to continue. “You've been amazing with the kids, with me. But
I've made my choice.”
He swallowed, his eyes darkening as he looked down at the box he'd offered. “You're... choosing him, aren't you?
Alex?”
“Yes. The word cout barely above a whisper, and it felt as though | had punched him. | saw the pain flash in
his eyes, raw and unmistakable.
His hand clenched into a fist, and he looked away, breathing deeply. “I thought...” He cleared his throat,
struggling to keep his voice steady. “I thought | had a chance with you, Christiana. | thought, maybe, | could be
part of your life. And the kids’ lives.” He swallowed again, and his eyes, now slightly red, met mine, holding so
much disappointment it hurt to look.
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11:37 Thu, Oct 31 BUG.
Chapter 115
“Daniel...” | whispered, my heart aching for him.
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“You know, I've been chasing after you for months. Four months. Christiana. And now... you're just going back to
the man who left you. Who walked out, and only cback because he realized you have his kids.” His voice
was raw, filled with pain and frustration.
“It's not like that,” I said, my voice trembling. “I love him. I've... always loved him.”
Daniel laughed bitterly, running a hand over his face. “Of course. Of course, it’s always him.” His shoulders
slumped, and for the first time, he looked defeated. “You have no idea how much wanted to be the one. | thought
maybe... just maybe... | could finally be with someone who would see me. Really see me. But you... you've only
ever seen him.”
“Daniel, I'm sorry,” | whispered, reaching out to touch his hand, but he pulled back, his jaw clenched.
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I looked down, guilt flooding me. “No,” | admitted, my voice small. “I'm so sorry. You didn’t deserve this. You
deserve someone who loves you the way you deserve. I... | just can’t be that person.”
He let out a shaky breath, his gaze averted as he blinked hard, trying to hold back tears. “I thought maybe |
could change your mind. That | could be someone you'd want.”
He looked atthen, his eyes pleading, as if searching for skind of explanation that would make this all
make sense. “You're really choosing him... over me?”
“Yes,” | whispered, hating myself for hurting him. “It’s always been Alex, even when I tried to move on. I... I'm
sorry.”
Daniel nodded, his face contorting in
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standing up. “Don't. | can't | can't sit
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than ever.
With that, he turned and walked away, leavingalone at the table, his
echoing in my mind, and my heart heavier