A Practical Guide to Ending a One-Sided Love - Chapter 67

“Meeting me all this time must have confused you as well. Even strangers grow attached if they see each other every day. But think about it carefully, how could someone you were so desperate to push away suddenly become likable overnight? If you give it time and think it through, you’ll realize it isn’t so.”

Yes, thinking that way was logical. But Bjorn did not accept her words.

“It did not change overnight. I simply failed to realize feelings I had held for a long time. Because of my inadequacy, I could not properly accept the affection you gave me. Only now have I gained the courage to answer the sincerity of the one who liked even my pathetic self as I am. This, too, is thanks to you.”

The conversation remained at the starting point.

“I see. However, wouldn’t it be better to think it over with more time? As you yourself experienced, a person’s feelings can change at any moment. I’m saying this for your sake.”

Leila remained unmoving as well. Even she, who had always softened endlessly when it came to Bjorn, could not do so this time.

Later, Leila thought perhaps she too had been quite hurt by this incident.

Until now, no matter what Bjorn said or how cold his attitude was, she had never been shaken. Even regarding the fact he had deceived her all this time, she thought it could happen, yet at the same time she felt resentment unlike before.

‘No, how tiresome must I have been for him to go this far.’

She tried making excuses for him, thinking it had been his own way of naturally making her give up.

‘But he still deceived me.’

Her usually quiet inner self strongly resisted.

Her understanding of Bjorn and her defense of him clashed. Yet even amid that confusion, one thing was certain.

As before, now that matters had reached this point, she could no longer meet Bjorn.

“As I already told you, from the beginning I never wanted any special relationship with you. It’s true we became close because you approached me first, but if that was all a lie—”

“On that matter I have nothing to say even with ten mouths. Therefore I sincerely apologize and wish to be forgiven. I want to repay all those sins by staying beside you and making you happy. I’m not asking for absolution immediately, please, I simply don’t want our relationship to end like this. I’m so deathly afraid that if you leave now, I will lose you forever.”

Even his desperate plea was useless.

“I think differently. Since we met too often, our judgment may have blurred, so I think it’s best we separate and take time to think slowly. Since everything you showed me until now was an act, honestly, it’s hard for me to take your words at face value.”

“It was not an act. Though I lied to disappoint you, everything else I could not fabricate to the point I myself was bewildered. You clearly saw how I collapsed with a single kiss, Miss Leila.”

Before Leila’s calm yet firm attitude, Bjorn began asserting his view like a child throwing a tantrum. He looked completely cornered. She felt pity, yet for the present Leila felt more troubled.

The fact that his words were not wrong also increased her confusion. It was true their time together had been enjoyable, and the kisses she shared with him had been a very intense event for Leila as well.

But now was not a good time to think deeply about it. This would become an endless exchange.

“I admit the time spent with you was special. But that’s something one can experience with anyone. It’s the same for you. Since we had pleasant times, you may have felt temporary affection toward me. But if you meet other people, you’ll soon realize it was a feeling that would quickly disappear.”

Leila did not realize that her words were hurting not only Bjorn but herself as well. With quietly agitated emotions, she added things she did not need to say, trying to cut him off.

“So… I plan to marry the person my parents choose and live quietly. So I hope you too will find true happiness and stability.”