Dean was completely lost for words, his face pale as a sheet.
He opened his mouth a few times, but not a single sound came out.
Every stupid thing he’d ever done to Emmy replayed in his mind, each memory cutting deeper than the last.
His eyes burned red, filling with pain and regret so sharp he could barely stand it.
Emmy didn’t even spare him a second look. She just picked up her bag from the counter and walked out without a word.
“Emmy, wait up!”
Abriella shot Dean a glare before rushing after her.
“I swear, Emmy, what were you thinking coming out alone without a bodyguard?” Abriella scolded as she caught up, voice full of concern and frustration. “Good thing I happened to pass by. Who knows what that jerk would’ve tried if I hadn’t shown up!”
Dean listened as their voices faded away. He wanted to argue, to explain, but the words just wouldn’t come.
Truth was, if Abriella hadn’t stepped in, he wasn’t sure what kind of damage his old, clueless self might have done.
For the first time, he actually felt grateful to Abriella—even though he’d always found her annoying.
Emmy’s voice drifted back, faint from down the street.
“I thought the neighborhood would be safe, just came out to grab a few things. Guess from now on, unless I’m in my room, I’ll need a bodyguard wherever I go…”
Her voice trailed off until there was nothing left but silence.
Dean felt all the strength drain out of him. He slumped onto the steps outside the store, completely defeated.
It felt like someone had ripped his heart wide open.
Every heartbeat hurt, every breath was a struggle.
He never thought the girl who used to trust him with everything would one day look at him like a stranger—like he was someone she needed to protect herself from.
And it was all his fault.
He slapped himself, hard, the sound echoing off the empty sidewalk.
All these years, all the things he’d done—how could he have been so blind?
Tears stung his eyes and slid down his face. Emmy used to always be the one to comfort him, to stay with him no matter what. Now she was gone. She wouldn’t come back to him ever again.
His phone started buzzing in his pocket.
Dean couldn’t even bring himself to look at it.
It rang, stopped, then started again and again, until finally he answered, frustration boiling over.
“What?”


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