The café was nearly empty, its soft lighting casting long shadows across the polished wood floor. Helen sat at a corner table, arms crossed tightly over her chest. Her phone buzzed once. A message from Sebastian: "I'm almost there."
Her heart pounded.
She didn't know what scared her more—hearing the truth, or finding out everything Jennifer said was right.
The door opened, and Sebastian walked in. He spotted her instantly, his eyes clouded with exhaustion and something rawer—fear. He made his way over slowly, cautiously, like she might bolt.
Helen didn't move.
"I'm glad you came," he said softly, pulling the chair opposite her.
"Don't thank me yet," she replied, her voice steady but cold. "This could still end badly."
Sebastian nodded. "Then let's get everything out. No more lies."
A tense silence followed.
"Did you know about Jennifer's feelings for you?" Helen asked, cutting straight to the heart.
Sebastian exhaled. "I suspected. But I didn't think it ran that deep. Not until recently."
"And Steven?"
Sebastian's jaw tightened. "He and I… we were never friends. He blamed me for things that weren't mine to carry. He was reckless, Helen. Dangerous in ways you never saw."
Helen flinched, the truth stinging. "He was my fiancé."
"And I never tried to take that from you," Sebastian said gently. "But when you left him, when you came to me… I thought it was your choice. I still believe it was."
Her eyes glistened. "You didn't ruin us. He did. But Jennifer... she's twisting it all. And she's trying to twist me, too."
Sebastian leaned forward, eyes locking with hers. "I'm not perfect. I've made mistakes. But I never lied to you about what mattered. Not my feelings. Not my past with Steven. And definitely not about loving you."
Helen's lips trembled. "But part of me still doubts. That's the part Jennifer knows how to feed."
Sebastian reached out, not touching her yet, just letting his hand rest between them on the table.
"Then tell me what you need. And I'll give you the truth."
Before Helen could answer, her phone buzzed again—this time a call. Steven.
She didn't pick up.
Far from the café, Jennifer and Steven sat together in a sleek, high-rise apartment overlooking the city. Wine glasses clinked, and old wounds bled fresh.
"She still loves him," Jennifer said bitterly, pacing the room. "Even now, after everything."
Steven leaned back, his eyes glinting. "Not for long. You say the word, and we drop the final piece."
Jennifer turned sharply. "You're sure the footage will break them?"
"Oh, I'm sure," Steven said. "Nothing destroys trust like a good illusion of betrayal."
Jennifer hesitated, a flicker of conflict in her eyes.
"You're still in love with him," Steven said, watching her.
She didn't deny it.
"I could've had him… if Helen had stayed away. But now?" Her voice grew colder. "Now I'll make sure she feels what I felt—loss. And you'll get her back."
Steven raised his glass. "To revenge."
Jennifer raised hers, her lips curling into a cruel smile. "And to love… in the end."
Back at the café, Helen stared at Sebastian's outstretched hand.
"Can you promise me," she whispered, "that if I stay… you won't run when this gets worse?"
Sebastian's answer was simple.
"I'd rather break
with you than live whole without you."
And this time, she took his hand.