Jay stood in front of Yuri with her hands shaking, but her back straight.
"Yuri… I need to talk."
He sighed like she was wasting his time. "What now?"
Jay swallowed.
"We're done."
He blinked once. Then laughed quietly. "You're joking."
She shook her head.
"I'm not."
Yuri's smile faded. "Did Keifer put this in your head?"
Jay felt that old reflex rise in her chest.
The need to defend.
But she stopped herself.
"No."
Her voice was small.
But it didn't bend.
"I finally listened to my own."
Yuri stared at her. "You're seriously throwing this away because you're being emotional again?"
Jay's heart thumped painfully.
She looked down for half a second…
Then back up.
"I'm not emotional," she whispered.
"I'm exhausted."
That word surprised even her.
Yuri scoffed. "You'll regret this. You always do."
Jay nodded once.
Maybe she would.
But she knew one thing.
She would regret staying more.
"I'm sorry," she said softly.
Not because she was wrong.
Because she was kind.
Yuri stepped closer. "So that's it? You don't even care anymore?"
Jay's eyes burned.
"I cared so much," she said quietly.
"That's why I have to stop."
He searched her face, waiting for her to soften.
To apologize.
To come back.
She didn't.
Jay turned around.
And walked away.
Her legs were shaking.
Her chest hurt.
But every step felt lighter.
And somewhere down the corridor—
Keifer was standing.
Not watching.
Not waiting.
Just existing.
Jay saw him.
And for the first time in a long while…
She chose herself.