Chapter 4

I went to the new apartment alone. It was big, but empty, and every piece of furniture had been picked out together.

I silently sat on the couch for a long time.

…

A week later, Naomi called. She sounded exhausted as she said, "Caspian, we need to talk."

We met at the new apartment.

She looked thinner, with dark circles under her eyes.

"Caspian, I'm sorry. I know I've handled things badly," she started. "Luca's been emotionally unstable, so I've had to spend more time with him."

I said nothing and waited.

"I know this is hard for you. But, Caspian, we've been together for four years. Don't you know me by now? What I feel for Luca is nothing but guilt and a sense of responsibility. There's nothing else."

"I know," I said.

She visibly relaxed. "I knew you understood me."

She stepped forward to hug me, but I took a step back.

"Naomi, I came here to tell you I don't want to stay in this apartment anymore."

She froze, her arms hanging in the air.

"What… what do you mean?"

"The lease is in your name, and you paid the deposit. I'm walking away from it."

"Why? Caspian, this is our home!" she said, panicking.

I snorted. "What if Luca's dorm loses power again? Or his pipes burst? You'd probably decide he needs a home more than I do."

Her expression changed instantly. "Caspian! Do you have to say things like that? Do you have to keep throwing this in my face?"

"Am I wrong?" I asked.

"Helping him is no big deal!"

"Running out of our graduation ceremony in front of thousands of people was no big deal?

"Giving him half your monthly allowance was no big deal? Naomi, you have a lot of 'no big deals'."

She wanted to argue, but she couldn't find the right words.

Finally, she took a deep breath.

"Fine, Caspian. If that's how you see me, I'll prove you wrong." She stared straight into my eyes. "I'll have Luca move in. He can take the spare bedroom."

My mind went blank. "What did you just say?"

"I said I'm moving Luca in!" she snapped, as if trying to convince both herself and me.

"He's alone in the dorm, and I'm worried about him. Something is always happening. If he lives here, I can keep an eye on him, and you won't have to worry either. Isn't that what you want?"

I looked at her as if she were a stranger and said, "Naomi, you've lost your mind."

"I haven't. I've never been clearer! I can't let anything happen to him again. It's my responsibility!"

Every word came out with absolute conviction.

Suddenly, I felt exhausted, deep in my bones.

"Fine," I said. "Move him in."

Naomi clearly hadn't expected me to agree so easily. She stared at me in shock.

I took the keys from my bag and placed them on the coffee table. "Here. They're yours. From now on, this is your home—with Luca. Hope you two are happy."

I stood up and walked out of the home I had once looked forward to sharing with her.

As I closed the door, I thought I heard something shatter inside.

My shoulders finally sagged as the sadness settled in.

We had dated for four years. And just like that, it was over.