The next morning, Beauty was the first to wake, her heart heavy as she sat up on her bed, staring at Bruno.
He was still asleep, his chest rising and falling with the rhythm of his breath.
Everything that happened last night kept flooding into her head.
From the truth-and-dare game, the harassment from Ferdinard, to Bruno's drunk act and cuddling her to sleep.
She wasn't sure how he would have reacted, so she had to wake up with him close to her, but she had to pull away. Her gaze went back to Bruno.
She didn't know what to expect from him or the next step she should take. Jessie isn't here to give her a piece of advice. Her words last night were clear; she had to choose.
As if on cue, the duvet she had carefully draped over Bruno's body after sneaking out of his arms the night before shifted and fell off, leaving him exposed.
Beauty's breath hitched, her hands trembling slightly as she stood up and moved toward his bed to cover him again.
She reached for the blanket, but before she could pull it back over him, his voice came, sharp and cold.
"You don't have to act like you care. I'm awake."
Beauty froze in that instant, fingers still clutching the duvet. It took a moment for her to process his words. Slowly, she exhaled and stepped aside, trying to steady her racing heart, her mind trying to catch up.
"Good... good... morning," she whispered, her voice barely audible but loud enough for him to hear.
Bruno didn't respond immediately.
Beauty watched him stir beneath the covers, his eyes squinting against the harsh light. He rubbed his temples, wincing as the remnants of the alcohol clouded his head.
A low groan escaped his lips as he struggled to sit up, the pain in his head. He could feel Beauty's gaze on him, but he didn't care anymore and didn't even look in her direction.
He sat on the bed as his face remained expressionless and cold.
"I've decided to let you go..."
Beauty's heart stopped in her chest, and she could feel the air leave her lungs. She hadn't expected that, yet somehow, she definitely wasn't expecting anything better.
She had been bracing herself for something like this. A part of her, the part that had tried so hard to hold on, knew this would happen.
But what could she say to fix it? What words could make everything right again? She wanted to scream, to beg him to stay, to tell him she loved him, but the words seemed useless now. Nothing mattered anymore, not after everything that had happened yesterday.
She felt her eyes wet suddenly.
Bruno's voice came again, even colder than before.
"Like you said... I was the one who came back after I said we needed a break. That was a stupid decision I made. I've thought about it a lot, and I think you were right. Even if it means leaving the company, if it'll help you move on... then I'll do it."
Those words hit Beauty like a punch to the gut.
"I was wrong," he continued, his voice growing quieter.
"I was the one who hurt you by making a cruel statement about your body. That was cruel, and I'm sorry. I didn't mean to say those things. I've been an idiot, letting my feelings control me. I was jealous, and you didn't deserve to be treated like an object I own. You deserve better, and if I did anything last night that hurt you when I was drunk, I'm sorry. I really hope you understand it was the alcohol."
Beauty's chest tightened, the ache in her heart almost unbearable.
She wanted to say something, anything, but the words refused to leave her mouth. Her fists clenched, her hands trembling at her sides, but she simply nodded and forced a smile.
Tears welled in her eyes, and she couldn't stop them from falling. No matter how hard she tried, the tears came, and she couldn't hold them back.
"I... I understand," she whispered, her voice cracking.
"Thank you for being an amazing person to me... I apologize for the hard times I gave you because of my past trauma... and..."
She paused abruptly.
The words felt like they were tearing her apart. She had stopped herself from saying more... else she would break down.
She needed to leave the room immediately!
"Thank you".
And with that, she slowly walked toward the door. Getting there, she paused, her hand gripping the handle tightly.
With her heart heavy in her chest. Slowly, she turned back to him, hoping to catch him glancing back at her, but it was hopeless.
Bruno was still sitting there, his back to her.
This time it wasn't just a break. He was breaking up with her, breaking up with her!
He wouldn't even look at her.
Is he that mad at her?
"I... I don't want it to end, Bruno. We can give it another chance... Please... give me another chance."
If only she had the courage to say those words out loud.
Bruno sighed loudly as the door shut after her. He swallowed tightly and closed his eyes
---
Outside the door, Beauty's chest felt tight and suffocating. She dried her everlasting tears with the back of her hand, trying to put herself together.
Would she survive this break-up?
Raising her face up, she saw Jessie approaching. She clenched her fists and held her breath, summoning the courage to face her friend.
She can't keep being a cry baby seeking strength from Jessie. She had to be a woman and own her life.
Jessie had decided to check up on them that early morning. Seeing Beauty outside with that look on her face was worrisome. She cared about her friend so much that she felt a little discomfort in her chest.
"This can't be good," she muttered to herself and stopped in front of Beauty.
"How is he feeling this morning? Did you guys talk things out?" she asked curiously.
"He is good...yes we talk things out. You can have him now. You were right, so was everyone. I really wasn't the best one for him... I couldn't even appreciate having a man like him caring for me genuinely... Good luck, Jessie."
She said that boldly, with only a tear escaping, which she brushed off roughly, then walked away.
Jessie stood at the door, staring as she strolled down the hallway.