The night was quiet, but Aiden's mind was not.
He sat alone in his dark room, staring at the daisy she had given him. Its petals had wilted a little, but it was still whole.
"Why did I keep it?"
"Why do I feel pain… when I think about her smile?"
He hadn't reported back to his handlers in three days. He was supposed to leave no traces. No emotions. No weakness.
But now?
He was falling.
The Next Morning
Elena waited outside the same coffee stall she visited every Saturday. She waved when she saw him from afar — like she had been waiting just for him.
Aiden walked slower today. Heavy. Hesitant.
"You okay?" she asked, handing him a cup of warm cocoa.
"You look like you didn't sleep."
"I didn't," he said honestly.
They sat under the tree again. But this time, the air was different — softer, quieter… like a goodbye trying to happen before it was time.
"Elena," he said suddenly. "Do you ever regret being kind?"
She tilted her head, surprised.
"Never. Even when it hurts. Even when people take advantage.
Because if I stop being kind… I'll become like the people who made me suffer."
He couldn't speak. He lowered his gaze.
Like me…
I was sent to take everything from you.
"Why?" she asked gently. "Why do you look so sad when you're quiet?"
He looked at her, and for the first time… there were tears in his eyes.
He quickly turned away. "I have to go."
"Wait," she said, grabbing his wrist. "Aiden… what's wrong?"
He didn't answer. He couldn't.
If he stayed one second longer, he'd tell her the truth — and he wasn't ready.
He walked away… and her fingers slipped from his wrist like a goodbye he didn't want to give.
---
That Night
Aiden stood on the rooftop of her house again, just like the first time — five nights ago.
He looked down at the garden, where she once planted flowers.
He whispered to himself:
"I was given seven days.
But it only took five… to fall in love with her."
He pressed his fist to his heart.
"What do I do now…?"
Behind him, the phone buzzed.
Handler:
"You have two days left. Finish it."
"Or we'll finish it for you."
He turned the phone off.
The crack in his heart… had finally broken open.
---
End of Chapter 6
To be continued…