"No! No!"
Mathias was nearly losing himself, his voice breaking under the weight of his panic.
"Nathalia, please don’t do this! I’m begging you, don’t do this!"
"You know I’ve never forgotten you, not once."
"This engagement… it’s all just a game to get back at you for leaving me without a word."
"You know this. You know that the second you show up, I’d leave it all behind and run away with you."
At that moment, my blood rushed through my veins like a river breaking its banks, and the pain in my chest was so intense it felt like I couldn’t draw another breath.
I had known deep down, for a long time, what the truth was.
But hearing Mathias say it so plainly, without a single pause, without a trace of hesitation. It tore me to shreds.
And yet, he didn’t even seem to notice me.
He kept pleading into the phone, his voice cracking with raw regret.
"Nathalia, please, hold on. Wait for me. I’m coming to save you!"
"I have everything now, please, don’t leave me. I can’t bear it…"
By the time his words faltered, the tears began to fall, each one heavy and relentless, like stones crashing into the depths of my heart.