Love is a risk

Part 30

It's the morning after Syd's confrontation with Justien, and the tension in the villa is palpable. The sun shines through the windows of the makeup room, but inside, Syd sits quietly, her face buried in her hands. She's crying, soft sobs escaping her, the weight of everything finally catching up to her. Dalihé enters the room and immediately notices her friend, sitting in the corner, broken.

Dalihé walks over to Syd and sits beside her, gently placing a hand on her back.

Dalihé: (softly but with a firm, comforting tone) "Hey, Syd, I'm here. You don't have to do this alone."

Syd lifts her head, her tear-streaked face reflecting the pain of what she's been through. She shakes her head as more tears fall.

Syd: (sniffing, voice shaky) "I... I did everything I could. I confronted him. I told him how I felt. But now... now it just feels like it didn't matter. He still went and kissed someone else, Dalihé. I thought he cared. I thought I meant something to him."

Dalihé sighs, looking at Syd with sympathy. She gently wipes a stray tear from her cheek and holds her gaze.

Dalihé: (calmly but firmly) "I know it feels like he betrayed you, Syd. But listen, you've done nothing wrong. You've been strong. You confronted him, and you told him exactly how you feel. You put your heart out there."

Syd looks down, the weight of her emotions still overwhelming her.

Syd: (quietly) "But it didn't change anything. I'm still here, feeling like I'm not enough. Like maybe he was right. Maybe I'm just not... what he needs."

Dalihé: (gently cupping Syd's face, making her look up) "That's not true, Syd. You are enough. Don't let anyone, especially Justien, make you feel less than what you are. You deserve someone who sees you for the amazing person you are. Someone who's going to respect you, not play games with your heart."

Syd stares at Dalihé, her voice trembling but clear.

Syd: (tearfully) "But what if I can't trust anyone again? What if no one will love me the way I thought Justien did?"

Dalihé takes a deep breath, her voice low but filled with unwavering confidence.

Dalihé: (with conviction) "Syd, don't let this moment define you. You are not just a part of someone else's story. You're your own person. And if he can't see that, if he doesn't value you, then good riddance. You're going to walk out of this villa stronger than ever. And maybe, just maybe, this is a blessing in disguise. Because now you can focus on yourself. You deserve someone who's all in, who's not going to make you second guess their feelings."

Syd listens to Dalihé, her emotions calming a little. She wipes her eyes, trying to gather herself.

Dalihé: (softly but firmly) "But Syd, you've got to talk to Justien. Don't let him think he can get away with this without hearing how much he hurt you. You don't need closure from him to move on, but you do need to stand up for yourself one last time."

Syd looks at Dalihé, thinking for a moment. A small, but determined spark begins to form in her eyes.

Syd: (nodding slowly) "You're right. I need to do it for me. I need to stand tall and let him know exactly what he did and how it made me feel. I'm not going to be his second choice, Dalihé. I'm done with that."

Dalihé smiles, proud of her friend for finding that strength.

Dalihé: "Exactly. You've got this. You're a queen, Syd. And no one gets to make you feel anything less than that."

Syd's Final Confrontation with Justien

After taking a few deep breaths and freshening up, Syd stands up, her resolve clear. She knows what she has to do. She steps out of the makeup room, her posture straighter than it's been all week. Dalihé gives her a nod of encouragement as she heads toward the area where Justien is sitting by the pool, chatting with the other guys.

When Syd approaches, Justien looks up, seeing the determination in her eyes. She doesn't say anything right away. She just stands there, her arms crossed, staring at him.

Finally, Justien speaks, his voice soft but uncertain.

Justien: "Syd... I know I messed up. I'm really sorry. You don't know how much I regret kissing Phoebe. I was just confused, and I didn't mean to hurt you."

Syd: (her voice cold but unwavering) "No. Don't. You chose to kiss Phoebe. You chose to act like I wasn't enough for you. You said all those things about loving me, that I was the one... and then you go and kiss someone else. That doesn't just hurt, Justien, it feels like I wasn't even worth the effort."

Justien: (his face showing clear guilt) "Syd... I—"

Syd: (cutting him off, shaking her head) "You don't get to explain this away. You don't get to make excuses for what you did. You made me believe in you. And for what? So you could go and kiss another girl in Casa Amor? I gave you my trust, Justien. And you threw it away. So don't tell me it was a mistake. It wasn't. You chose it."

Justien looks down, unable to meet her eyes. He knows she's right.

Syd: (softening slightly, but still firm) "I don't know what I was thinking. But I'm done now. I'm done with all of this. I won't keep hurting myself by hoping you're going to change."

She pauses for a moment, her heart aching, but also feeling lighter.

Syd: (finally, with finality) "I deserve someone who respects me. Who doesn't have to second guess their feelings. So, I'm done. Don't come back to me. Don't try to fix this. It's over."

With those words, she turns and walks away, a feeling of clarity and strength sweeping over her. She knows she made the right decision.