A Silent Goodbye

Marcus grabbed his phone and, out of desperation, dialed Celine's number. His hands were slightly sweaty as he tried to gather his thoughts.

"Hello, babe! It's been so long since I heard your voice!" Celine's excited voice came through the phone.

"Let's meet tonight. How about dinner at Jones' Mega Hotel?" Marcus asked, trying to sound casual despite his nervousness.

"Oh, babe! Are you asking me on a date? Of course! I'd love to!" she replied cheerfully.

As the call ended, Marcus sighed, feeling a strange sadness settle over him.

Shaking off his thoughts, he drove to Royalty Jewelry Shop. The moment he stepped inside, his eyes widened at the beautiful display of rings, each shining under the bright lights. He needed to make the right choice.

After looking around for a while, he picked two rings—one with a deep blue diamond for Celine, sparkling brightly, and another with a simple yet elegant white diamond for Ella, glowing softly.

Celine's ring symbolized the new beginning they were supposed to have. But Ella's... that ring carried all the love he couldn't put into words.

Marcus carefully placed the two wrapped boxes in his car and drove straight to Ella's house. His heart felt heavy with mixed emotions.

When she opened the door, she noticed his serious expression right away.

"What's wrong?" Ella asked, concern in her voice.

"Can we go somewhere? I need to talk to you," Marcus said, his tone quiet but firm.

Ella hesitated for a moment, then nodded. She quickly informed her mother before following him to his car.

They drove in silence, the kind that felt strangely peaceful. Soon, they arrived at a small park by the lake. The gentle sound of water moving and birds chirping filled the air.

"It's so quiet here," Ella said as they walked to a wooden bench. "The view is really calming."

Marcus felt a bit lighter as he sat beside her. He stepped away briefly to grab something from his car—a small white box.

"Let's eat," he said with a small smile, placing the box on the bench.

Inside was a rich chocolate cake along with two bottles of cold water. He sliced the cake and handed Ella a generous piece on a paper plate.

As they ate, Marcus glanced at her, curiosity growing in his chest.

"Have you ever been in love?" he asked, his voice softer than before.

Ella looked at him and nodded. "Yes, I have." A small, nostalgic smile played on her lips.

Marcus smiled wistfully. "Me too. I was completely in love with someone." He hesitated before adding, "I still love her very much."

Ella's smile didn't fade. "Of course, you do. That's why she's your fiancée. She's beautiful, and I know she loves you just as much."

Marcus shook his head slightly, about to respond, when Ella's phone rang.

She pulled it out of her bag and answered. "Hello, Felix?" Her voice instantly became warmer.

Marcus' expression darkened.

"Ella, where are you? I went to your house, but Grace said you were out," Felix said on the other end.

"Oh! I'm here with a friend. Is something wrong?"

"Not at all. I wanted to discuss a business proposal with you. Can you meet me?" Felix explained.

Ella's eyes lit up with interest. "Really? Of course! I'd love to hear about it!"

Marcus, still caught up in their deep conversation, felt an uncomfortable tightness in his chest. He couldn't ignore the jealousy creeping in.

After she hung up, he turned to her, trying to sound indifferent. "Who was that?"

"Sir Felix," she answered with a smile. "He wants to discuss a business proposal over dinner tonight."

Marcus clenched his jaw slightly but forced himself to stay calm. Without another word, he reached into his small bag and pulled out a ring box. His fingers trembled slightly as he opened it, revealing the shining diamond inside.

"Ella," he said, his voice steady yet full of emotion. "Ever since you came to my house and made breakfast, I've had this strange feeling. My fiancée hurt you, yet you remained kind and humble." He paused before continuing, "I want to give you this ring as a symbol of my love for you."

Ella's breath caught in her throat. Her wide eyes reflected surprise and disbelief.

Marcus took a deep breath. "Yes, Ella, I love you. And I'm willing to fight for it. But... what's the point of fighting if it means hurting my grandfather?"

His voice grew softer, filled with conflict. "If being with you means risking his health, maybe..." He trailed off, unable to finish the thought.

A heavy silence stretched between them.

Ella's heart pounded as she searched for words. She wanted to tell him she loved him too, but something held her back.

Marcus carefully lifted her hand and slipped the ring onto her middle finger. His touch was warm, yet there was an undeniable sadness in the gesture.

Ella's eyes burned with unshed tears. Her heart ached.

Marcus gently squeezed her hand. "Please, always take care of yourself." His voice was low but sincere. "I met you at the wrong time, under the wrong circumstances. But my love for you has never felt wrong."

Straightening up, he inhaled deeply. "Let's go home."

Ella, still shaken, simply nodded.

As they stepped outside into the cool evening air and walked to the car, the silence between them was no longer comfortable. It was filled with unspoken feelings, unfinished confessions, and the weight of a love that could never fully bloom.

The drive home was quiet, the weight of unspoken words filling the air like the stillness of the lake they had just left behind. As Marcus pulled up in front of Ella's house, the tension between them was almost unbearable. Ella stepped out of the car but hesitated, turning to meet Marcus' gaze. For a moment, it felt as though something invisible tied them together, a connection neither of them dared to put into words.

Marcus gripped the steering wheel, torn between his desire to fight for her and the painful reality of his grandfather's fragile condition. His heart clenched, knowing that any reckless decision could cost him dearly. With a heavy sigh, he forced himself to start the engine and drove away, leaving Ella standing there, her heart aching with emotions she couldn't express.

Inside the house, Ella was met with an unexpected sight—a beautifully wrapped box sitting on the dining table. Her younger cousin, Grace, rushed to her with excitement, her eyes shining.

"Cousin! Where have you been?" she squealed. "That handsome man who helped us at the hospital came by and left this for you!"

Ella forced a smile, but her sadness was evident.

"Aren't you happy? A rich and handsome man just gave you a gift! Open it now! I want to see what's inside!" Grace said eagerly.

Ella shook her head. "You open it. I'm tired. I just want to rest."

"Seriously? You don't even want to see what's inside?" Grace asked in disbelief.

"Go ahead," Ella repeated before heading to her room, needing space to clear her mind.

Once inside, she closed the door and leaned against it, shutting out the world. Her eyes fell on the ring Marcus had slipped onto her finger earlier. Her chest tightened as a fresh wave of sorrow hit her. He had given her this ring with love in his eyes, yet here she was—alone, heartbroken, and unable to do anything about it. Tears welled up, and she let them fall, muffling her sobs into her pillow until exhaustion finally took over, pulling her into restless sleep.

Ella woke up to the sound of her phone ringing. She blinked at the bright screen before seeing Felix's name flashing.

"Ella, don't forget about our dinner tonight," he said, his voice warm and reassuring.

She sat up and took a deep breath. "Ah, yes! I'll be there. Just tell me the place, and I'll go myself."

"No, I'll come to pick you up. And by the way, I left a dress for you. Please wear it tonight—it's perfect for the occasion. See you soon!" Felix said before hanging up.

Ella sighed, pushing herself off the bed and heading to the dining room. She found the box Felix had mentioned and opened it, revealing an elegant purple dress.

"Wow!" Grace gasped, her eyes wide. "It's so beautiful! I wish someone would give me a dress like this."

Ella smiled faintly. "Don't worry, cousin. After I wear it tonight, it's yours."

"Aww! You're the best!" Grace beamed.

Ella took a shower and dried her long hair. She applied light makeup and curled her hair slightly, then slipped into the dress. When she looked in the mirror, she was surprised—she actually looked beautiful. Her soft red lips and lightly flushed cheeks gave her a natural glow. Just then, the sound of a car horn outside made her turn to the window. Felix had arrived, stepping out of his car with a charming smile.

Ella quickly went to her mother's room to let her know she was leaving before heading out. Felix's eyes widened slightly when he saw her.

"You look stunning."

Ella gave him a small smile. "Let's go."

They arrived at Jones' Mega Hotel, where Felix had booked their dinner. Just as they stepped out of the car, another vehicle pulled up beside them. Ella's breath caught when she saw two familiar figures step out—Marcus and Celine.

Her heart pounded as Celine shot her a cold, triumphant look. Ella, refusing to engage, turned her attention back to Felix.

"Cousin, you're here!" Felix greeted Marcus warmly.

Before Marcus could respond, Celine looped her arm through his. "Yes! We're on a dinner date," she said sweetly, answering for him.

Marcus gave a slight nod, his expression unreadable, before leading Celine into the hotel. Ella inhaled sharply, steadying her emotions before following Felix inside.

The restaurant was warm and elegant, with soft lighting setting a romantic atmosphere. Felix pulled out a chair for Ella before sitting across from her.

"Order whatever you like," he said with a smile.

Ella barely glanced at the menu before handing it back. "You choose for me. I'm fine with anything."

Felix chuckled. "Alright, I'll pick something good."

Meanwhile, Marcus sat at a nearby table with Celine. Despite his efforts to focus on his dinner, his gaze kept drifting toward Ella. Seeing her talking and laughing with Felix made his stomach twist uncomfortably.

Why does it have to be here? he thought bitterly. He had expected an ordinary dinner with Celine, yet now he was stuck watching Ella with another man—his own cousin, no less.

He clenched his jaw, forcing himself to look away.

Celine, noticing his distraction, narrowed her eyes. "You said you had something important to tell me."

Marcus took a slow breath, pushing his emotions aside. "I just wanted to apologize. I want to start fresh with you."

Celine's expression softened, pleased with his words.

The food arrived, and conversations continued, but Marcus felt like he was somewhere else entirely. He barely tasted his meal, his mind replaying every moment with Ella. Every time he looked up, Felix was smiling at her, making her laugh. It felt like a dagger twisting in his chest.

Celine, sensing the tension, decided to seal their moment. She turned to Marcus with a bright smile. "You know, this night deserves something special."

Marcus hesitated before reaching into a small paper bag, pulling out a delicate jewelry box. He handed it to Celine.

"Wear this as a sign of our new beginning," he said smoothly.

Celine gasped as she opened the box, revealing a sparkling ring. Overjoyed, she turned to Marcus, practically shouting, "Yes! I do!"

Her loud declaration caught the attention of the entire restaurant. Applause erupted around them. Marcus forced a smile, playing along, but his eyes instinctively flickered to Ella.

Ella's heart dropped. The clapping, the cheerful atmosphere—it all felt like tiny needles piercing her chest. She swallowed the lump in her throat and smiled at Felix, pretending nothing was wrong. But deep inside, something broke.

Marcus, too, felt it—a painful crack in the part of him that still longed for Ella.