The Goodbye That Never Happened

The drive to the airport was silent, the tension suffocating. I stared out the window, my chest tightening with every mile we covered. Unable to hold back any longer, I grabbed my phone and sent Liam a message:

"Liam, I'm going. I don't know for how long."

His reply came almost instantly.

"What? Where? Stop playing games with me. I'm coming to your house. Let's hang out, just you and me."

Tears blurred my vision as I typed back.

"Liam, I'm not home. I'm heading to the airport. I'm moving... to Japan."

For a moment, there was nothing. Then my phone buzzed, and his name lit up my screen. I hesitated but answered the call, my voice trembling.

"Why?" His voice cracked, and I realized he was crying.

"I... I don't know," I stammered, my tears breaking free.

Suddenly, Dad reached over and took the phone from my hand.

"Don't ever call her again, got it?" Dad said firmly before hanging up.

I stared at him in disbelief. "What are you doing, Dad?"

He glanced at me, his face stern but his voice calm. "Ava, it's for your own good. Do you even know who his mother is?"

I blinked, confused. "No, why would I?"

He exhaled deeply. "She's the CEO of MK Group of Fashion."

The words hit me like a tidal wave. I flinched, my mind reeling. MK Group was the biggest name in the industry—practically untouchable.

"And not just that," Dad continued, his voice heavy with frustration. "Your so-called boyfriend is engaged."

My breath hitched. "What?" I whispered.

"To their biggest rival," he said bitterly. "ONLY Fashion. It's a perfect match—two giants coming together. That's the world he belongs to, Ava. He's not for you. He'll only break your heart."

Tears streamed down my face as I shakily pulled out my phone and searched. The headlines were all there, staring back at me: Liam Hayes, Heir to MK Group, Engaged to Veronica Langley of ONLY Fashion.

It was true. Everything Dad said was true.

I felt a hand on mine. "It's okay, sweetie," Dad said gently. "You can cry."

I broke down, sobbing like a child. Dad pulled me into his arms, holding me until my tears finally slowed.

By the time we arrived at the airport, I felt hollow. We stepped out of the car, went through the motions of check-in, and stood by the gate, waiting for our flight. I tried to focus on anything else, anything but the ache in my chest.

Then I heard it.

"Ava!"

That voice—his voice—made me freeze. I turned around slowly, and there he was. Liam, crying, gasping for air, and running toward me.

My heart shattered all over again.

Dad's grip on my hand tightened. "Let's go," he said firmly.

I hesitated, my emotions a whirlwind of anger, sadness, and longing. Then, biting my lip to keep the tears at bay, I turned away and walked into the terminal, leaving Liam behind.