The Devil Doesn't Bargain | Daerin

6 | The Moon's Silent Witness

𝐃𝐚𝐧𝐢𝐞𝐥𝐥𝐞 𝐏𝐎𝐕

The moon hangs high in the sky, casting a silvery glow over the empty street. I wait as my manager, Miss Park, fumbles with the keys, finally locking the door with a satisfying click.

She gives me a fond smile before walking away. Her footsteps echoing softly in the stillness.

I clutch my handbag's strap tightly, feeling the weight of exhaustion settling deep in my bones. Tonight's shift was grueling—it feels like my body is on the verge of collapse. 

I need to get home before I faint right here. After all, tomorrow is another long day of work. I don't have a knight in shining armor to save me if something goes wrong.

Just as I turn to leave, I gasp, my breath hitching in my throat. Standing tall in front of me, bathed in the moon's ethereal light, is a man. His serious face is partially hidden in shadow, but I can see his light green eyes clearly.

I instinctively back away. My heart pounding in my chest.

His eyes meet mine, and I see something unexpected in them—not the usual anger, but something softer. Is it—sadness? Guilt?

"Ryan, what are you doing here?" My voice shaky, and my hands trembling.

He steps closer, slowly and deliberately. The moonlight catches the contours of his face, highlighting the sharp angles of his jaw and the tousled perfection of his brown hair. His eyes are still fixed on mine, and for a moment, I'm transported back to the days when those eyes were filled with nothing but love and warmth.

Despite all the resentment I feel towards him, I can't deny how handsome he is. His presence stirs up mixed emotions—memories of happier times, the love we once shared, and the pain he caused.

"Danielle," he calls me softly.

It makes my heart flutter against my will, and I hate it. I hate that part of me that still loves him, that part of me that hasn't let him go yet.

"I just want to talk to you. Please? Can we?" He steps closer, his expression pleading.

My chest tightens. Tears prick at the corners of my eyes. I hold them back, refusing to let him see me as weak. I can't look vulnerable in front of him. Not anymore.

"What do you want to talk about?" My voice still trembling. "That you want to get back together so you can hurt me even more?"

"Danielle," he sighs heavily, his shoulders slumping. "I'm sorry. I was drunk. It wasn't me. Look, I know it's a cliché and still unforgivable, but I want to apologize for everything. I'm such a dick, I know. You don't have to forgive me."

I sniffle, wiping away a tear that escapes despite my best efforts. Damn it, Dani, stop crying. Don't look weak.

"You're still the woman I love, regardless. After you, I don't think I will be able to find anyone else because no one compares to you," he continues, tears glistening in his eyes. "You don't have to forgive me, but all I want you to know is how grateful I am for all these years. You gave me a chance to love you. You wanted a breakup over the phone, and I was so furious. I'm so sorry. I've thought it over, and now I'm ready. I'm ready to let you go for the sake of your happiness."

My body shakes with sobs as memories flood my mind—how we met, our first kiss, our first date skating at the ice rink. It was beautiful. It was perfect.

How did everything go so wrong?

"Don't cry," he says, stepping closer and cupping my cheeks. He wipes my tears away so gently and tenderly with his thumb. "Can I hug you? I promise, this will be the last time. I won't look for you anymore."