episode 3:A Goodbye in the rain

...A Goodbye in the Rain...

Scarlett sat on the edge of her bed, staring at her phone screen. Her friends' words echoed in her head.

"Valen is a playboy."

"He’s had so many exes—he won’t take you seriously."

"Don’t fall for him, Scarlett. You’ll regret it."

But despite everything, she had chosen to believe in him. Deep down, she felt that maybe Valen wasn’t a bad person—maybe he just portrayed himself that way. And if he really was bad, then I’ll change him. That’s what she told herself when she first started liking him.

But now, after what she had just learned, doubt crept into her heart.

Lily had confessed something shocking—Valen still had lingering feelings for her. Scarlett felt like the ground had been ripped from under her. Was I just a rebound?

To clear the tension, Lily suggested that all three of them meet and talk things out. Scarlett agreed, hoping for answers. But when she arrived at the meeting place, Valen barely even looked at her.

It was as if she was a stranger.

Scarlett swallowed the lump in her throat, trying to find her voice. "Valen, can I have a word with you?"

He didn’t even hesitate. "No."

Scarlett felt her heart crack a little. He wasn’t ignoring Lily—only her.

Valen focused all his attention on Lily, desperate to speak to her. But to Scarlett’s surprise, Lily refused him.

"Valen, how many times do I have to tell you?" Lily sighed. "I don’t have feelings for you. I never did. And I won’t betray Scarlett. She’s my friend, and she likes you. She’s sensitive, kind, and you are her first love. I can’t let you hurt her."

Scarlett clenched her fists, holding back her tears. She hated that Lily had to defend her like this. She hated feeling like an outsider in a conversation that involved her own feelings.

After hearing Lily’s words, Valen finally turned to Scarlett. "Let’s talk."

Scarlett followed him in silence, her heart racing. She didn’t know if she wanted to hear what he had to say, but she had to.

When they stopped walking, Valen took a deep breath. "Scarlett, this won’t work out between us."

She felt her stomach drop.

"I still have lingering feelings for Lily," he admitted. "And my ex."

Scarlett’s hands trembled. Why did you come into my life if you still loved someone else?

"I don’t want you to get hurt," Valen continued. "You’re a nice person, Scarlett. And you’ll regret loving someone like me."

Scarlett bit her lip, her chest tightening. She refused to believe that. Even if this love ended in pain, she wouldn’t regret it.

A tear slipped down her cheek as she whispered, "I won’t regret meeting or loving you, Valen."

As soon as her tear hit the ground, the sky opened up, and rain began to pour.

Scarlett didn’t care. She didn’t bother to move. She let the rain mix with her tears, hoping it would wash away the ache in her chest.

Lily and Scarlett decided to drop Valen off at the bus station. But sensing the weight of the moment, Lily gave them privacy. "I’ll wait for you guys near the entrance," she said before stepping away.

The walk to the bus station was silent except for the rain. Scarlett could barely see through her blurred vision. Her heart was shattering, but Valen wouldn’t see it—the rain masked everything.

As they reached the street, Scarlett hesitated for a moment. She wanted to hold Valen’s hand just once before they said goodbye. But before she could, Valen took her hand himself.

"You’ll get hurt if you don’t hurry," he muttered, guiding her across the road.

Scarlett felt the warmth of his palm against hers and wished—just for a moment—that this feeling would last forever.

The bus station was only a few steps away now. Scarlett knew this was it. Their last meeting. Their last words.

Before Valen could leave, she finally spoke. "Before you go… can you give me a goodbye hug?"

Valen didn’t hesitate. He pulled her into his arms, and Scarlett shut her eyes, pressing her forehead against his shoulder. She wanted to freeze this moment. Just for a little longer.

The sound of the arriving bus broke her heart even more.

Valen pulled away and walked toward the bus without looking back.

And as soon as he was gone—Scarlett broke into silent tears, standing alone in the pouring rain.

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