Chapter 78

His smile froze mid-air. After a pause, he said, “I like you... but I don’t love you.” My heart thudded. Still, I couldn't bring myself to blame him. If I were being honest, I was no different. I still liked him, maybe even obsessed a little. But it wasn’t the same kind of love I had four years ago—back then it was pure and wholehearted. Now? Not so much. In the quiet of the night, he kissed my hair and said, “Sophie, don’t overthink it. Sleep.” A bitter taste rose in my throat, but I didn’t want to chase answers anymore. So I just did what he said and closed my eyes. This hookup-like dynamic? He handled it with ease. Me? Not so much. The second I slipped back into that old, hopeless belief... I knew I was doomed. The next morning, when I woke up, Henry was still lying beside me, fast asleep. I stared at him, stunned. This... felt different. He used to leave right after. But last night, he actually stayed. Held me while sleeping. Never happened before. I studied his face—broad shoulder