Dylan finally stopped to catch his breath, resting his forehead on her shoulder. Then he lifted his gaze and said, his voice raspy, “I can explain, Olivia. There's nothing between Gina and me! Why haven't you asked me about it?"

"Asked you about what?" Olivia replied with a bitter smirk, leaning back against the door.

“Dylan, you said you'd be gone for five days when you left! But you were away for almost two months. You weren't just comforting Gina's dad-you were taking care of her, emotionally and physically. So why can't I go on a blind date if you can jet off to nurse some stranger? Huh? Tell me, what on earth is the relationship between you and me? If you still care about me, why would you be at Gina's side and leave Leyla and me hanging for almost two months?"

Dylan met her eyes and said flatly, "Because Gina doesn't have much time left."

His voice was hushed. "The cancer has spread to her brain. She might only have three or four months left, maybe less. I'm sorry, Olivia."

Olivia's eyes filled with tears.

But she held them back, refusing to cry. Instead, she gave a weak smile and said, “So you're going back to her, huh? You're planning to stick by her side because she's dying, right?"

Dylan didn't argue.

Olivia's hand shot up, slapping him across the face. "You're such a jerk, Dylan! You stayed by another woman's side, yet you asked me to wait for you; said we'd start a family together. But you know what? I deserve better!"

She shoved him aside and started to leave.

But Dylan yanked her into his arms, like he was afraid she'd vanish if he let go.

He whispered sorry in her ear, his voice low and urgent.

He told her he wouldn't leave, not until Gina was really dying and breathing her last breath.

Olivia just stood there, listening to him ramble, feeling a bit dazed.

She believed Dylan didn't even realize his feelings for Gina had already gone beyond just friendship. The way he cared for her reminded Olivia of the past, back when she was only twenty.

But now she was in her thirties.

Olivia didn't fight him off. She just stood there.

Olivia stepped back, giving him a calm look. "I'm done with you, Dylan. You don't need to explain anything to me."

She headed toward the door but Dylan's low voice stopped her as he spoke.

"Olivia, you're the love of my life!"

But Olivia didn't seem to care about his confession anymore.

She had already given Dylan another chance, even pictured the three of them as a happy family.

It could have been wonderful.

But reality had other plans.