Chapter 3 Dariel's voice wasn't loud , but it crashed in my ears like thunder . He and Elodie ... Of course . He'd already admitted he'd fallen for her - why was I even surprised ? Maybe realizing how harsh his words sounded , Dariel awkwardly corrected himself , " I was just speaking off the cuff . Don't worry , I won't do anything out of line before we make our divorce public . " I nodded . " I know . " I knew his character well . He'd always been honest with me - if he weren't , he never would have told me about his feelings for Elodie . But sometimes , honesty hurts more than any lie . Because of my father - in - law , Marco Roskin's illness , Dariel and I both wanted to take a couple of days off to stay by his side . But Lauren insisted , " I can take care of him . Your top priority right now is to have a baby ! " Unable to argue with her , we had no choice but to give in . Even at one in the morning , the city lights were still burning bright . Normally , when Dariel and I were alone , we'd talk about anything and everything , but tonight , silence hung heavy between us . 0.00 % 10.51 C Chapter 3 I stared out the window , not wanting him to see the sadness and uncertainty on my face . 284bus her a Finally , Dariel , apparently unable to stand the tension any longer , broke the silence first . " What's wrong ? Are you upset about the baby thing ? " My eyes dimmed . " No. " Another long , suffocating silence . I laughed bitterly to myself . So this is what it's like - even a couple who's never spent a day apart can run out of things to say . Suddenly , Dariel turned on the radio , and Celine Dion's " My Heart Will Go On " filled the car . " Near , far , wherever you are . I believe that the heart does go on . Once more , you open the door . And you're here in my heart , and my heart will go on and on .. He seemed relieved to have found something to talk about . " Hearing this song takes me back to that ' Titanic ' play we did in college . " At his words , my mind drifted back to those days on campus . In that play , Dariel was Jack . I was Rose . Thinking about that time , my eyes grew hot with tears Back then , it never even crossed my mind that I'd fall for Dariel the way Rose loved Jack . I rolled down the window , letting the cold night air sting my eyes . " You jump , I jump , right ? " " What ? " Dariel's voice rose with surprise . 29 10 % 10:52 Chapter 3 I turned to look at him , forcing a stiff smile . " It's Rose's line . Did you forget ? " A flicker of relief crossed Dariel's eyes . " I thought you meant ... ' He didn't finish , but I felt the ache in his words . Was my love really such a burden to him ? 1288 Wouchery We didn't speak again until we got home . As always , Dariel knelt down to help me out of my shoes . But as he slipped off my heels , his hands paused for a moment , as if he was wondering when he should stop acting like the thoughtful husband . Watching his furrowed brow , I tried to sound playful . " You don't have to keep up the ' model husband ' routine anymore . " Dariel straightened , the warm lamplight softening his gentle features . " Even if I'm not your husband , I was born ten minutes before you - I'm basically your big brother . Taking care of you just feels natural . " But in a few days , I'll be moving out . I won't be able to look after you anymore . " With those words , a tide of emotion surged inside me , threatening to drown me . In that moment , I finally understood - loving someone isn't the hard part . The hard part is letting go . It took me 30 years to go from not loving him at all to loving him with everything I had . Could I really just give up like that ? Watching Dariel's back as he walked toward the bedroom , I couldn't hold 67.394 10 520 Chapter 3 it in any longer . I called out- " Dariel , if I really love you , would you stay ? " 17 258 10.52 Title: A Boyfriend on Loan, A Real Love on Way Author: CrushReels Genre: Romance, Modern Status: ongoing In "A Boyfriend on Loan, A Real Love on Way" by CrushReels, Felix Lloyd finds himself in a predicament as he seeks to pacify his family's marriage expectations by renting a girlfriend for the holiday season. However, a serendipitous airport mishap leads Kendal Scott, the wrong woman, into his life. As Felix and Kendal navigate this unexpected twist of fate, the novel delves into themes of familial pressure, mistaken identities, and the complexities of modern relationships. CrushReels intricately weaves together elements of romance and contemporary dilemmas to create a compelling narrative that resonates with readers seeking a blend of heartwarming moments and unforeseen connections. What sets "A Boyfriend on Loan, A Real Love on Way" apart is its ability to balance light-hearted humor with poignant insights into the intricacies of human emotions. With its engaging storyline and relatable characters, this ongoing romance promises a captivating read for fans of modern love stories. Experience the unfolding tale of Felix and Kendal at CrushReels and immerse yourself in a world where love finds its way through unexpected avenues. Read online at CrushReels today to discover the enchanting journey awaiting within these digital pages.