“Knew it. Look, Em—” placing the mug back on the table, she leaned in, “—you and I both know that what you and Warner have isn’t going to last long. And now that you two are worlds away from each other, and with your new, slash old lover back in the picture, you should take a decision on your relationship with Warner now. You and he both are aware that you were never into this. You never had any feelings for him other than seeing him just as a friend. Yes, maybe he likes you, but trust me, deep down, he also knows you won’t be able to love him, no matter how much he tries.”

I looked down at my lap. “It’s not my fault I can’t do it. I tried. I tried my best to love him. But…”

“But your heart still belongs to someone else?”

My gaze snapped to her. “No! I don’t have any feelings for him anymore. Yes, he still affects me, but... it’s just the awkwardness. Nothing else.” I averted my eyes from her piercing amber ones. “Warner and I are doing well. You don’t worry about that.”

“Don’t lie to me. I know you more than you know yourself, Em. You still want him as much as you did back at your siblings’ birthday party that night. You’re just scared to get hurt again.That’s why you’re denying your feelings, aren’t you?” she asked. When I didn’t answer, she sighed. “Don’t you think you’re doing wrong to Warner? Even if he was the one who insisted on trying, you know you won’t be able to love him no matter if it’s because of Ace or not.”

Closing my eyes, I put my head in my hands. I knew I wasn’t doing fair with Warner. It’s been eating me out for a long time now. But I was too selfish to let him go. Though I didn’t love him, his friendship gave me huge support. Truth to be told, him being my boyfriend helped my mind a little bit to assure myself that I’d moved on. I could show it to the world, to him. But deep down, I knew the truth. I knew I was using Warner for my own selfishness.

My eyes pricked as guilt cut through me. Though I was thinking about talking to him about it for the last few months, I couldn’t do it. My selfishness, fear… fear of facing him alone stopped me from doing it.

Cassie placed a hand over mine. “It’s okay. I know what you’re feeling. But don’t. It’s not your fault. Though Warner doesn’t know about Ace, he does know why you agreed to be his girlfriend. Talk to him. I’m sure he will understand. He deserves to know the truth, Em. Tell him everything.”