Finally, Finn took a deep breath, interrupting her story. “Bella… we need to talk.”
She looked up, surprised, her smile fading as she noticed the seriousness in his face. “Oh. Okay… what’s up?”
He rubbed the back of his neck, his voice coming out softer than he intended. “I’ve been doing a lot of thinking. About us. And I realize… I’m not being fair to you. I’ve tried to be all in, but…” He hesitated, the words feeling clumsy. “My heart isn’t here, Bella.”
For a moment, she just stared at him, her expression frozen. Then, as his words sank in, her face twisted, her mouth set in a bitter line. “So, what? This was all just a game for you?” she asked, her voice rising, drawing a few glances from nearby tables. “You used me as some rebound to get over her?”
“Bella, no,” he said quickly, holding up his hands. “It wasn’t like that. I thought… I really thought I could move on. But it’s not fair to keep pretending.”
Her face grew cold, her eyes narrowing as she looked at him, crossing her arms. “I was just some backup plan, wasn’t I? While you ‘sorted out’ your feelings?”
He shook his head, hating the pain in her voice. “That’s not it at all. I thought I could be the person you needed, but… I’m sorry. I’m still in love with Hanna. And it’s not fair to string you along when my heart isn’t in this.”
For a long, tense moment, Bella didn’t speak. She just sat there, her lips pressed together tightly as if trying to contain the storm building in her chest. Finally, she let out a short, bitter laugh, breaking the silence.
“You know, Finn,” she began, her voice trembling with anger, “I was calm. I was understanding. I gave you time to sort out whatever it was you had going on, thinking that you just needed a little patience.” She let out a dry laugh, shaking her head. “I even thought I could help you forget about her. But I’m done being ‘understanding.’ You made a fool out of me.”
“Bella, I never meant—”
“Save it,” she interrupted sharply, her tone laced with venom. “You think you can just walk away? Move on and go running back to her without consequences?” She leaned forward, her voice dropping to a dangerous whisper. “You’re going to regret this, Finn. You and that little—”
“Don’t,” Finn cut in, his voice hardening as he held her gaze. “Whatever you’re going to say about her, just… don’t.”
Bella’s eyes flashed, but she laughed, bitterness spilling over. “Oh, you really are pathetic. Protecting her even now. Does she even want you back, Finn? Or are you just chasing a fantasy that doesn’t even exist?”
He looked down, clenching his jaw. “It doesn’t matter. I just… I can’t keep doing this.”
Bella’s hands curled into fists as she stood, her voice barely above a whisper, dripping with anger. “Well, enjoy chasing her. But I won’t make it easy. You think I won’t go straight to your parents, let them know exactly how ‘well’ you’re sticking to their little plan? You think I won’t make sure everyone knows exactly what kind of girl Hanna really is?”
She grabbed her bag, leaning over him one last time as she hissed, “If you thought I was ‘understanding,’ just wait. You haven’t seen ruthless.”